Gary Anderson and Dave Chisnall will be top attraction in Exeter, says Rod Harrington
Thursday 5 March 2015 22:27, UK
Rod Harrington is backing Dave Chisnall and Gary Anderson to serve up a Premier League thriller in Exeter’s Westpoint Arena on Thursday night.
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Chisnall sits joint-top of the Premier League after three wins and a draw in his opening four matches, and averaged 107.01 in last week’s victory over Kim Huybrechts in Belfast.
World champion Anderson has also recorded three victories and has a tournament average of over 100. 'The Flying Scotsman' impressed against James Wade last week and will be keen to continue that form against Chisnall.
Meanwhile, Raymond van Barneveld and Kim Huybrechts are both in must-win territory when they meet in the opening game of the night, while Premier League veterans James Wade and Phil Taylor renew acquaintances.
Raymond van Barneveld v Kim Huybrechts
Rod says: “I thought Kim Huybrechts played absolutely brilliantly last week, but he came up against an on-fire Dave Chisnall.
Huybrechts scored really well and the two missed darts at double top in the seventh leg was all he really did wrong. If he can carry on that form he will get a win, and if you look at the way Barney played last week, Stephen Bunting let him off the hook in legs one and three.
“Barney is another player who has changed his darts and I think his grouping was more consistent with his old ones. He seems to have fliers which go an inch away from the treble, which is worrying when you’re trying to get a better grouping.
“I’m going to stick my neck out and go for a Huybrechts win, and that will leave Barney with an uphill task to retain his title as he faces James Wade, Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson in his next four games. The Dutchman has averaged over 100 just once in four games; Taylor or Van Gerwen haven’t had an average under 100, and they’re going to keep up that standard.
“Huybrechts badly needs a result here, and I think we will see the Belgian pick up his first Premier League win.”
James Wade v Phil Taylor
Rod says: “Wade was level at 4-4 with Gary Anderson last week and then didn’t hit a treble in 15 darts. That ninth leg wasn’t brilliant but Anderson still won it, and James seemed to get a bit frustrated.
“I spoke to him afterwards and he is the sort of person who doesn’t get downhearted over what was a low-level game for him. It won’t affect him this week.
“Wade knows what he has to do against Taylor, who will have around a 103 average, while James’ will be around 98. But he’s still very good at winning games and getting draws.
“I still think Taylor is going to win this because of his consistency but Wade is a player who is hard to back against, because he is one of the kings of taking out crucial shots. Taylor was a little bit angry at not getting the draw last week though, and I think he’ll bounce back, but you always have to look over your shoulder against Wade.”
Adrian Lewis v Stephen Bunting
Rod says: “Lewis was accused of gamesmanship by Michael van Gerwen last week but Adrian has been working on his rhythm for a while.
“It’s strange with the quick throwers. When they get the first dart in the treble 20 it’s very easy to follow, so that’s when they speed up. But when you’re going for doubles and you hit it with your first dart, you walk up to the board. If you don’t take it out first time your mindset is that you’ve missed the double.
“The quick players could put three darts in the centre of a Polo mint, but if you miss a double you need to check your throw a touch. If you throw a dart quickly at a double you might not be gripping it right. The double is more crucial than hitting the treble at times, and there is more pressure on it.
Phil Taylor fools everyone. He could throw a six-inch nail once he gets used to it and go on to win a world championship, but no one else can do that.
“Stephen Bunting can say all he likes about how great his new darts are, but the proof shows they’re not. It shows up when he’s going for doubles.
“When you haven’t got the best grip on a dart you send it low and to the left, and that’s what is happening with Stephen. He missed six darts in the first leg against Barney in Belfast, struggled again in the third leg and suddenly found himself 3-0 down. He hit just four out of 22 doubles, which says it all really.
“Bunting has not got used to these darts yet, and the Premier League is not the place to wear them in. It isn’t like a tour event where you might get two easy rounds to warm up; you’re up against brilliant players every week.
“Phil Taylor fools everyone. He could throw a six-inch nail once he gets used to it and go on to win a world championship, but no one else can do that.
“I’ve got to go with form here. I think Lewis will outscore Bunting. Adrian can miss doubles at times too but after letting a 6-4 lead slip against Van Gerwen, I think he’ll return to winning ways. The best Bunting can hope for is a draw. A loss here and he’s staring relegation in the face.”
Peter Wright v Michael van Gerwen
Rod says: “Peter Wright is the quietest man you’ll meet away from the board. He never gets aggressive or says a bad word about anybody, but when you put him on the stage he’s completely different!
“I’ve heard actors call it playing behind the mask, but it’s made him into a character. If you walked into a supermarket and asked someone to name three darts players, I would wager that Wright will be one of them.
“Now Wright has got to throw darts and back that character up. He proved last week against Taylor that he has got the bottle, and that his new darts are starting to work. But he’s up against a different animal in Exeter.
“Van Gerwen is so confident at the moment and Wright is going to have fight tooth and nail for every leg. He could get a draw but I don’t think there are many people who can beat the Dutchman at the moment.
“MVG is averaging 106.15 for the Premier League season and unless you throw something near that, you’re not going to get many chances. Peter is scoring well with his new darts but he is another person who has got to hit his doubles.”
Dave Chisnall v Gary Anderson
Rod says: “This is the game of the night for me. You’ve got two players who are on form and who like to hit a lot of 140s and 180s. Gary is in a good place in his head at the moment; if he misses doubles it doesn’t worry him. And Chisnall seems to be there as well.
“I could make a case for both players here. A lot of punters will go for Anderson because he is the world champion, but Chisnall played superbly well last week.
“Chisnall has done well in putting points on the board early, against players who are outside the top four in the Premier League. Now the hard work really starts and he’s got to get the odd point here and there against the likes of Anderson, Taylor and Van Gerwen to secure his place in the semi-finals.
“I think he’s earned enough points to not be eliminated after nine events but he needs to push on and make sure he gets into that top four. He’s put himself in a good position and fair play to him.
“I’m going to sit on the fence and go for a draw here. It’s that tough of a call.”
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