Darts Premier League Week 2

[Selectabet]

Dont know if this guy's any good but here's an article from the Betfair site...

Week two of the 2010 Premier League sees the action switch to Bournemouth. After last week's pummelling in London, David Croft rallies himself to select the best bets.

I'm trying to gee myself up for another night in front of the TV and finding my motivation a little tough to find at the moment. It's not that I don't enjoy the darts, regular readers know that. But I had a horror with my selections for the O2 last week and my pride took a bit of a battering.

But with my glass half full of optimism I'm going to point out that it's the high standard of this year's Premier League that's making life a little difficult for those of us who like to put our money where our mouth is. With that in mind, after some reflective time on the sofa, here's my preview for this week.

First up, Adrian Lewis 2.76 v Raymond van Barneveld 2.16. Barney heads back to the venue where he hit his first nine darter in the PDC back in 2006. Betfair offer 2.2 on any player hitting the magical nine dart finish this year and it's not something I'd side with at that price, really not worth the investment, especially given the fact that Barney's effort that night against Peter Manley is still the only nine finish we've seen in the Premier League.

Barney looked very impressive when beating James Wade last week and I'd expect him to see off Adrian Lewis most nights. But I've just got a feeling that the big scoring Stokie could pull off an upset here. His average of just over 96 when losing to Mervyn King on the opening night was higher than Barney's against Wade and he managed to win three of his five legs against the throw. That sort of performance might be enough to take it against the Dutchman and the price is good.

I expected Simon Whitlock to pull off a massive upset against Phil Taylor in London. After the Aussie stormed into an early 2-1 lead I was getting so excited that had I had a dog in front of me, I'd have been patting him so much he'd have developed a bald spot. As it was, I didn't take Whitlock's jet lag into consideration and given that he'd only flown into the UK 24 hours previously, it was hardly a surprise that he faded fast and Taylor won comfortably.

With a week of sleep under him, expect Whitlock at 2.1 to take his second match against Terry Jenkins at 2.96. Jenkins had his hands full against Ronnie Baxter before eventually scraping a draw. He dropped five legs on his own throw and whilst he won off Baxter's start, I don't think he'll get the chance to do that as often against Whitlock. If the Wizard gets off to flying start, this could be a very comfortable victory for the man from down under.

Phil Taylor's preparations for the opening night didn't go according to plan either. The Power was laid low by a virus and wasn't able to put in much practice time. So he should be applauded for his convincing victory over Whitlock. Standing in his way in Bournemouth is Ronnie Baxter, who he lost to at the Players Championship event in Las Vegas last year.

Baxter has beaten Taylor on many occasions in the past of course, although most came in the years before both players switched to the PDC. As for Thursday night, I think the price of 20.0 on Baxter to win rather reflects his chances. Taylor at 1.12 is hardly what you'd call backable, but I can't see another winner in this one, despite Baxter's impressive form.

Finally, the match of the night. A repeat too of the 2009 final between James Wade and Mervyn King. So is this a revenge mission for King? Not at all. "There are no thoughts of revenge," King said this week. "The final was last year and it's gone now, so revenge doesn't even enter into things because it takes your mind off what you want to do. James is a fantastic player and a good friend but there's no room for sentiment - once I get up on stage I've got to focus on doing what I do best, and when we're up there it's war!"

Betfair offer a best price of 2.62 on King and 2.3 on Wade with the draw at 5.2 and it's the latter that interests me here. Whilst both players will be giving there all for victory, I believe that they may be so strong on their own throw that they don't give any easy to medium chance to win against the throw. If that's the case then don't be surprised to see it end all square. However, if King manages another average of over 100 and Wade throws something similar to the 90 he put in against Barney, then there's only going to be one winner. For me it wouldn't be the most stupid idea in the world to cover yourself with a King win as well.

Recommended Bets:

Lewis to beat Barneveld at 2.76
Whitlock to beat Jenkins at 2.1
Taylor to beat Baxter at 1.12
and King to beat Wade at 2.62

Which you can have in a Betfair Acca at [13] with the draw in the King/Wade match at 5.2

[frankgallagher]

Just set a couple of trades up.

In quite heavy on the draw, with lays set up at lower prices as the match goes on in all the games except Taylors

[frankgallagher]

Just set a couple of trades up.

In quite heavy on the draw, with lays set up at lower prices as the match goes on in all the games except Taylors

Worked out nicely!

[Selectabet]

Yer a genius Frank, a genius!

[frankgallagher]

Yer a genius Frank, a genius!

Far from that

Truth is I'll bet on 2 coos p*shing