Premier League Darts Quick Picks

by Rick Nash

Ignore the MVG hype, put your money on the unbeatable Barney

I've loved the first two weeks of the new-look Darts Premier League. The shorter format (without a break in play) has given games a new leash of life, as matches are now blink-and-you'll-miss-it and players are punished for poor starts with little chance of recovery. This leaves favourites like Phil Taylor vulnerable and 'The Power' is fortunate to still be second after having to come from behind in Week One to draw with a sickened Michael Van Gerwen.

That said, the league is taking shape and now is the time to start feeling somewhat confident in your accumulators. The short format still leaves upsets likely, but at least we now have a feel as to how the players are finding form (or not) in front of the big crowds.

As for tonight, I didn't have the bottle to pick between Andy Hamilton and Gary Anderson, simply because in this kind of inconsistent form they're essentially the same player: either a mess or unstoppable depending on whether a crucial double goes their way or not. We've no idea what to expect from either from week-to-week, so given that both are paired together tonight I'll take it as a hint to avoid, avoid, avoid. Let's get to brief quick picks before I'm back later with a full column and the weekend's accumulator tips.



€5 on this 4-way accumulator will earn you €147 and change with Paddy Power.

JAMES WADE vs. ADRIAN LEWIS - Draw

Lewis is Wade's bogey player. For whatever reason, either Wade can't seem to get over the line with him or playing Wade brings out Lewis' enigmatic best. But Lewis isn't in the form to be destroying anyone right now (being bottom of the league and 0-2), and Wade is playing slightly better, so given the short format a 6-6 looks on the cards.

ROBERT THORNTON vs. Wes Newton
Michael Van Gerwen vs. RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD

Thornton and Barney are the league's form players. Barney was unbelievable in his 7-2 demolition of Wes Newton last week, whereas Michael Van Gerwen hasn't settled into the big stage as quickly as everyone expected yet (bottling it against Taylor and being somewhat fortunate not to be beaten by Robert Thornton last week). The best part about that match is that the bookies haven't clocked onto the above yet and Barney is the slight underdog.

Meanwhile, Thornton and Newton have gone in completely opposite direction in their respective first Premier League campaigns. That's a no-brainer. So, of course, Newton will probably make a fool of me for saying so and win easily.

Simon Whitlock vs. PHIL TAYLOR

Never back against Taylor.





Rick Nash is a former pro-wrestler who currently DJs for hire, makes piss-poor sports bets and has a community radio show. Altogether, he's a real bum, and you should be ashamed of yourself if you thought this piece was in any way insightful or entertaining. But still, follow him on Twitter and stuff.