Premier League Darts Week Eight Tips: Barney bids farewell with toughest task

Suljovic looking stronger every week

Daryl Gurney v Mensur Suljovic
Thursday, 18:15
Live on Sky Sports Darts

Mensur Suljovic beat Rob Cross on Wednesday evening to claim his third win on the bounce. He averaged only 88.71 as he beat the former world champion, but came back from 4-0 down as Cross missed his chances and 'The Gentle' roared back to win 7-5. The pivotal leg was the 11th as Cross missed six darts at a double and Suljovic pounced with a 136 finish to move 6-5 ahead. As he secured the win, he moved to third in the standings, only one point behind MVG at the top. The Austrian's confidence could not now be higher.

Daryl Gurney was even more ruthless against van Barneveld, reeling off five straight legs to win 7-1. 'Superchin' was never stretched and now sits in fifth place in a very tightly congested table. A victory over Suljovic would guarantee he leaves Netherlands in the top four. He leads Suljovic 7-5 in their 12 encounters.

This could well be a crucial match for the overall standings and with both players in fine fettle it may well go the distance, On that basis, playing the 180s market could lead to some success.

Best Bet: Back both players to hit 3 or more 180s @ 9/4 (1 unit)

Goodbye Raymond van Barneveld

Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen
Thursday, 21:15
Live on Sky Sports Darts

If you are Raymond van Barneveld, it never rains but it pours. Smashed 7-1 by Daryl Gurney on Wednesday, a defeat that ended his chances of progressing in this year's Premier League, he returns to the oche and finds his next opponent is world number one Michael van Gerwen. Despite their Dutch background and a home Rotterdam crowd that will be willing Barney to restore some pride, MVG has his sights set on another Premier League title. There will be no room for sentiment.

The trouble with MVG is his price. It will be a major shock if he doesn't canter to victory and therefore the 1/4 may appeal to some, but the value is elsewhere.

Barney averaged only 81.96 against 'Superchin' and will not be at the races with that kind of throwing on Thursday. MVG averaged 100.74 as he demolished Peter Wright 7-1 on Wednesday evening. This is chalk and Dutch cheese. The match treble in MVG's favour is 13/10 and a 7-0 drubbing is 9/1. It could well be worth a nibble on the latter as Barney will be feeling the pressure.

Best Bet: Back Michael van Gerwen to win, hit most 180s and throw highest checkout @ 13/10 (1 unit)
Best Bet: Back Michael van Gerwen to win 7-0 @ 9/1 (0.5 units)

Wade a decent price against unconvincing Smith

James Wade v Michael Smith
Thursday, 21:45
Live on Sky Sports Darts

James Wade and Dimitri van den Bergh drew 6-6 on Wednesday as the Belgian missed a match dart to become the first contender to claim a win in this season's Premier League. Wade threw seven 180s and was pushed all the way as both players averaged in excess of 100. It was a point gained, rather than one lost, against arguably the toughest of Gary Anderson's replacements.

Michael Smith had been in poor form since he made the final of the World Darts Championship over Christmas. His third Premier League win, a 7-5 triumph over Gerwyn Price was a great way of bouncing back. 'Bully Boy' survived two darts from Price to claim a draw and, with Barney losing, it also guaranteed his survival in the competition. With the table so congested, he will still hold aspirations of making headway on the leaders.

But Smith has a woeful record against Wade. In 15 meetings he has claimed victory only three times and his current form certainly can't be relied upon. One decent night can't convince me to throw my money behind him. Wade is the play and at 6/4 provides great value.

Best Bet: Back James Wade to beat Michael Smith @ 6/4 (2 units)

Round Nine Fixtures

Daryl Gurney v Mensur Suljovic
Peter Wright v Gerwyn Price
Rob Cross v Jeffrey de Zwaan
Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen
James Wade v Michael Smith