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PinnacleThe bookmakers have done something very interesting for the late match of the Premier League Darts this Thursday. Gary Anderson will meet Adrian Lewis with Anderson the favourite; strange move.
The World No. 2 has drawn all three of his matches so far. Impressive performances against Taylor and van Barneveld were over shadowed by a scrap last week against Hamilton. Lewis needs to start winning some games if he is to challenge near the top. Gary Anderson on the other hand has practised hard and seen it paid off having won his last two games after a horrible week 1 performance.
Adrian Lewis is priced at 9/2 for a 4th draw
Anderson: 5/4, Lewis: 11/8 and Draw: 9/2
Both players are openly priced by the bookmakers. Anderson is the very slight favourite, odds on at 5/4 by most bookies while Lewis is chalked up at 11/8 by William Hill. I think it is rather strange partly due to the fact that Lewis is averaging 5 more points than Anderson but also because Lewis’ match-ups have been against tough opposition while Anderson’s have not in comparison. I think Lewis could edge this one but it will be close.
If you do not feel like favouring Lewis then predicting the draw could be an idea. It is priced at 9/2 (general) for which is not bad considering both players will be doing all they can to win so they can stay in contention with Phil Taylor.
At the other end of the league, James Wade will looking to score his first points of the Premier League as he meets Kevin Painter. ‘The Machine’ meets ‘The Artist’ in what could be a cool film title but its Wade that desperately needs points. Wade is still odds on to win, priced at EVS by Bet Victor and Bwin while Painter is best listed at 15/8 by Sportingbet. This match is first up on Thursday and will be full of drama. The draw is priced at 9/2 but I feel like Painter will edge this one even though his 3-dart average seems a little lower.
Raymond van Barneveld hit 100% of his doubles attempted and yet was defeated comfortably by Phil Taylor. This week the Dutchman has a nicer match-up against Andy Hamilton. ‘The Hammer’ was unlucky not to win last week against Lewis and will be excited about playing Barney. It will be interesting to see how ‘Barney’ reacts when he is the Favourite for once. Barney is 10/11 On by Bet 365 while the Hammer is listed by Sportingbet at 19/10. The outcome could easily be a draw and lightly priced at 5/1 (William Hill) in my opinion.
Phil Taylor gave us more and more reasons to believe that the World No. 1 has not lost talent in his old age. Last Thursday he demolished Barneveld and this week it seems inevitable that he will win next this week. His opponent, Simon Whitlock, is coming off a dismal performance as he averaged only 91 and finished 19% of his doubles. The Power is 4/9 by William Hill and even with odds like 9/2 (Paddy Power, Bwin ) for The Wizard to win or 11/2 for the draw; do not be tricked into believing that Whitlock has more than a small chance.
A Picture us Wade fans have seen too often recently.
Call a ‘Mechanic’ because the ‘Machine’ seems Broken
The drought of points for James Wade has meant that his odds to finish bottom have shortened dramatically. He was 4/1 last week and now sits at 11/4. He is not the Favourite to finish bottom although if he loses to Painter this week then I would expect him to become it.
If, like me, you think that Wade is in serious trouble and will not come out of this slump anytime soon then it has to be worth putting some money on him to finish last. His form has not changed a whole lot in 3 weeks leaving me expecting the inevitable, that being the wooden spoon going to the ‘Machine.’ His value at finishing bottom seems to diminish dramatically each week so take advantage before all the value is gone.
