Darts / David Croft / 18 February 2009 / Leave a comment

Much as it goes against his happy-go-lucky, risk taking nature, David Croft suspects that 2009 might be the year to the back the Premier League draw.

Only Phil Taylor and Mervyn King can be totally satisfied with their performances so far in the 2009 Premier League.

The pair still have their 100% records intact and whilst I see no real reason why that shouldn't continue this Thursday in Coventry, maybe I've missed a trick so far in what could be a profitable Premier League for those who sit on the fence.

With a 50% record from the opening eight matches, is 2009 the year to back the Premier League draw? It's not something I like to do - let's face it, half of the fun of having a punt is the act of putting our money where our mouth is and placing a wager on an opinion - where's the fun in the opinion that nobody will win? But then again, who needs fun when there's value to be had siding with the stalemate.

So far, John Part has drawn both of his games, as has Terry Jenkins with Jelle Klaasen and Wayne Mardle picking up a draw each. In Coventry, I wouldn't be surprised if we have two more draws on the night.

Mervyn King has been on fire in front of the big crowds so far, proving his place in the Premier League was no fluke and richly deserved. But this week he's up against John Part, a man who has played well below his best for some time now but is still on his day a major force in the game. We've seen some indifferent performances from the Darth Maple but I was impressed with the way he didn't let Barney in with a chance to break his throw last week and a similar performance against King would not be unexpected.

For all King's good work so far, despite being a warm [1.62] to win the match he might not get a chance. Part isn't scoring high enough to break the throw so the obvious bet is to take the draw at [6.0].

Wayne Mardle banged in a 160 checkout to snatch a draw against Terry Jenkins last week. This week he plays Jelle Klaasen but which Klaasen will show up? The one who started impressively in week one against Jenkins? Or the one who look decidedly second rate against Phil Taylor last week? Mardle is never a player that I can back with confidence - so often he doesn't come up to scratch and then out of the blue he fires in some incredible darts. Klaasen starts as the [1.93] favourite, but here in what could be a close game the draw screams value at [5.7]

Once again there's no value where Phil Taylor is concerned and he's a lowly [1.12] to make it three wins out of three when he faces Terry Jenkins. The Bull can be backed at [14.0] with the draw at [9.6] but in what is their 10th meeting in front of the Sky cameras I can see no other outcome than The Power chalking up his eighth TV win against Jenkins. Phil is just a class apart.

James Wade continues to tinker but to no avail. Thursday night sees him come up against Raymond van Barneveld - the man he beat in the quarters at the recent Players Championship Finals in Purfleet. That night, Wade just shaded a match that could have gone either way, winning by nine legs to eight. If he can rediscover that form and pressure the Barneveld throw, a repeat could be on the cards.

A player as good as Wade can't continue to throw below his best indefinitely. Likewise Barney, who bounced back well against John Part after his disappointing show against Phil Taylor and could have no complaints with the draw against the Canadian. He didn't do anything wrong but unfortunately for him neither did Part. Just looking at the market for this match I'm surprised that Wade is as high as [4.5] - maybe the challenge of Barney will lift his game, it has in the past.

However, with the head to head record for these two standing at three wins a piece, the [6.4] on the draw might have me deserting the sofa for a spot on the fence once again.