Darts / Editor / 01 April 2009 / Leave a comment

Week Nine of the Premier League of Darts- and the show moves on to Glasgow. It was tough going last week and Dart Vader lost a few quid. Rumour has it he vented his anger on two unlucky storm troopers, the one dressed in the Hawaiian shirt was never seen again. Anyhow, hopefully this week's preview can get followers some much needed funds.

Game One - Raymond van Barneveld v John Part

Barney was beaten 8-2 by Phil Taylor last week, he scored well, missed a few doubles- but to be fair Taylor was superb. To rub salt in the wounds Taylor also beat Barney on Sunday in the Blue Square Midland Regional- he won 5 legs on the spin, after Barney was 5-1 up!

John Part was brilliant against James Wade last week, averaging just shy of a ton and hitting five maximums to more than earn his point.

The prices are not far wrong on this game, and though I'd fancy Barney to edge it, I won't be playing at [1.48]

Game Two - Terry Jenkins v Wayne Mardle

The Bull was not firing last week and was punished by an on form Klassen. It was infuriating to see a performance like this from Terry, as he had scored very well the previous few weeks- and had even got his doubling together.

Wayne Mardle continues to play poorly, and although the man who sells novelty blow up palm trees won't be happy- we won't see him in the Premier League next year. A shocking 85 average against King last week was what we have come to expect.

No prizes for guessing that I expect Jenkins to win this, and [1.65] is a fair price- especially with him chucking first.

Recommendation: 4 points Terry Jenkins [1.65]

Game Three - Jelle Klassen v Phil Taylor

Klassen fired last week beating Jenkins, and if you thought he would turn up in that form again, you would give him a minor sniff. But his darts have been very erratic, and he is as likely to throw an 88 Average as a 98, and frankly neither will be good enough.

Taylor suffered a surprise reversal last Saturday, losing to an inspired Mark Walsh in the final of the Players Championship in Coventry. Phil put soon put that behind him though and 24 hours later won the Blue Square Midland Regional, beating Barney on the way to a tight 6-5 win over an inspired Wayne Jones.

This game will be won by Taylor, but by how far? The first leg will be very important to the handicap bet I am advising, if Klassen holds throw- I would expect him to win the four legs required.

Recommendation: 3 points Klassen +4.5 legs - 1.9

Game 4 - Mervyn King v James Wade

Mervyn packed his "A game" in his pouch last week, and destroyed the woeful Mardle. He hit a nine darter in last Saturdays Players Championship, and clearly continues in great form.

Wade would have expected to beat John Part last week, but Part played the best he has all year, and Wade did little wrong.

This game should be close, but I fancy Wade to edge it- as he has raised his game against the big guns. There could well be a mind game battle here also, with both hardly Gentleman of the game- but Wade is well able to cope with any of these.

I think the draw no bet market is the safest bet, and am having a decent bet on the machine.

Recommendation: Four points win Wade [1.8] Draw no bet