Dreysports is always changing and will now welcome a weekly round-up of darting action from the Premier League every Friday. 5 weeks into the season, it is time to catch up with what has happened so far and predictions for the coming weeks’ ties.
Peter Wright (R1: W7-3 v Wes Newton | R2: D6-6 v Dave Chisnall | R3: W7-4 v Phil Taylor | R4: W7-1 v Adrian Lewis | R5: D6-6 v Robert Thornton)
Wright has come along way since shocking the darting world with his great run in the World Championships where he came runner-up (and could have won it). He is currently unbeaten five games in which again is a massive shock and at the moment he looks like the best player in the world. He hasn’t just had an easy start either – Phil Taylor may have been off form (big time) but the beat Adrian Lewis in the way he did in Week 4. Looks pretty safe at the top so far and will definitely make the play-offs if he keeps playing the way he is.
Michael van Gerwen (R1: W7-0 v Phil Taylor | R2: W7-5 v Robert Thornton | R3: W7-4 v Dave Chisnall | R4: L7-5 v Raymond van Barneveld | R5: D6-6 v Adrian Lewis)
He came in as a clear favourite after annihilating the field in the World Championships but no one expected the first night to go quite the way it did. Darts fans, especially those of Phil Taylor’s, could not believe there eyes as Van Gerwen ran riot to beat the 16 time champ of the world 7-0. He’s since had to accept that not all games are as easy as his opener and it has been alot tougher for the Dutchman in recent weeks but at the moment I can’t see him not making the play-offs.
Raymond van Barneveld (R1: W7-2 v Gary Anderson | R2: L7-5 v Wes Newton | R3: W7-4 v Simon Whitlock | R4: W7-5 v Michael van Gerwen | R5: D6-6 v Dave Chisnall)
Barney hasn’t been at his best for a while now but he has hit good form once more which has seen him surge up the table. He was always going to be close to the top but the superb victory over MVG has capped off a great start. He will feel hard done by in the Newton game but we know he won’t dwell on this and has his sights, even now, on look to bring in some much needed major silverware.
Gary Anderson (R1: L7-2 v Raymond van Barneveld | R2: W7-2 v Simon Whitlock | R3: L7-2 v Robert Thornton | R4: W7-5 v Dave Chisnall | R5: W7-5 v Phil Taylor)
Anderson has been pretty mixed bag and I personally don’t see him making the top 4 cut. Yes he has won this competition before but has got looking in past weeks with tight victories over Chisnall and Taylor. Once up against MVG, Lewis and Wright for example we will most likely see repeats of week 1 when Barney made him look amateur.
Wes Newton (R1: L7-3 v Peter Wright | R2: W7-5 v Raymond van Barneveld | R3: W7-2 v Adrian Lewis | R4: D6-6 v Robert Thornton | R5: DNP)
Didn’t play last week due to illness but despite playing a game less occupies fifth spot. I’m sure at the start of the season you’d asked Wes where he wanted to be he would have been more than happy with his start. He may have struggled to get going against Wright in the opening week but he played superbly against RVB and Lewis and fully deserved the wins. Could be an outsider for top 4.
Adrian Lewis (R1: W7-1 v Simon Whitlock | R2: W7-3 v Phil Taylor | R3: L7-2 v Wes Newton | R4: L7-1 v Peter Wright | R5: D6-6 v Michael van Gerwen)
I called Anderson mixed bag but that probably suits Lewis more. I remember saying last year after his poor start that his spark had gone but he has been able to rise again. The only problem is knowing which Adrian Lewis turns up as it changes week on week and whether he hits good form and stays there reflects his chances of finishing in the top 4.
Robert Thornton (R1: L7-5 v Dave Chisnall | R2: L7-5 v van Gerwen | R3: W7-2 v Gary Anderson | R4: D6-6 v Wes Newton | R5: D6-6 v Peter Wright & L7-5 v Simon Whitlock)
Thornton should be higher and has been really unlucky so far. All three of his defeats have been very close and could have gone either way. He’s a strong character would will bounce back from the rocky start and I could see him going on a good run and battling for top 4. I don’t see him being relegated unless luck really isn’t on his side. Good things come to those who wait is something which very much affects Thornton. Was also unlucky to play twice on one night which could be deemed a disadvantage.
Dave Chisnall (R1: W7-5 v Robert Thornton | R2: D6-6 v Peter Wright | R3: L7-4 v van Gerwen | R4: L7-5 v Gary Anderson | R5: D6-6 v Van Barneveld)
To say it is his first appearance in the competition he has performed pretty well so far and will be pretty happy with his points tally. He has improved drastically over the last few years and although it is unlikely he will challenge this year is one to certainly watch. Had an up and down start and like a few players seem to be up and down on the form but his main focus will be to pull away from the possibility of relegation.
Phil Taylor (R1: L7-0 v van Gerwen | R2: L7-3 v Adrian Lewis | R3: L7-4 v Peter Wright | R4: W7-3 v Simon Whitlock | R5: L7-5 v Gary Anderson)
Oh Phil, what has happened? Since the Players Championships last year he has just declined massively. He has had a disastrous start to this Premier League season and could be out of the tournament at the first stage unless he improves massively. The 7-0 demolition from MVG was just the start and he needs results – fast.
Simon Whitlock (R1: L7-1 v Adrian Lewis | R2: L7-2 v Gary Anderson | R3: L7-4 v Raymond van Barneveld | R4: L7-3 v Phil Taylor | R5: W7-5 v Robert Thornton)
Another shock at the bottom is Whitlock. He just hasn’t turned up but did get his first win last week which surely means things can only get better. Along with Taylor I would rule them out just yet but a massive challenge seeing the poor start he has had.
WEEK 6 PREDICTIONS (Live from Capital FM Arena, Nottingham)
Simon Whitlock (7/4) v Peter Wright (10/11) | Tie (4/1)
Top against Bottom won’t be as one sided as the table suggests although Simon Whitlock is the clear outsider. Both players come into this clash needing a win but for very different reasons. Whitlock picked up his first points last week and with such a poor leg difference will know wins are required to confirm his safety into the next round. But coming up against an unbeaten Peter Wright makes this a very difficult challenge with Snakebite hoping to move even further ahead and look to claim a top four and subsequent place in the play-off stage. Whitlock looked improved last week, Wright was more than sloppy on his doubles and everyone’s good run has to end at some point.
Prediction: Simon Whitlock to win
Adrian Lewis (5/6) v Gary Anderson (15/8) | Tie (4/1)
The two players I called mixed bag face off against one another and it really depends on whether they are on top of their game. For me I think Adrian Lewis has enough quality to see off the challenge of Gary Anderson and I think the best the scot can hope for is a draw. Lewis’ performance against Van Gerwen last week showed his real talent after his poor showing in the weeks previous and knows his season could rest on getting a result here and pushing to get back into the top 4.
Prediction: Adrian Lewis to win
Michael van Gerwen (1/4) v Wes Newton (5/1) | Tie (13/2)
Newton will be feeling sick again just looking at his match for the coming week and coming up against Michael Van Gerwen is never easy. The odds clearly reflect the fact that Newton faces an almost impossible task of continuing his great start and an upset seems very unlikely. Van Gerwen has lost just once so far this season and I doubt this game will have him worried of another defeat against his name.
Prediction: Michael van Gerwen to win (easily)
Raymond van Barneveld (10/11) v Robert Thornton (13/8) | Tie (4/1)
This game, in my opinion, has draw written all over it. The players are evenly matched and Thornton has been unlucky so far this campaign – three very close (7-5) defeats alongside two draws and I think he has enough to seriously challenge van Barneveld. If I was to pick a winner I would edge towards Barneveld seeing as his great record this season includes beating MVG.
Prediction: Draw
Phil Taylor (1/2) v Dave Chisnall (3/1) | Tie 9/2
Phil Taylor isn’t done just yet so don’t write him off. Without being rude the weakest player in the league is Chisnall and Taylor knows that defeat – with his poor leg difference will see him stuck in the relegation zone at the bottom and know that the boot is just around the corner. He has shown signs of improvement since his week one embarrassment and I expect him to take his chances against Chisnall.
Prediction: Phil Taylor to win
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