Michael van Gerwen back to continue his love affair with Dublin
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Michael van Gerwen made amends for his opening round defeat to James Wade last week in Newcastle, with a comprehensive victory over defending champion Gary Anderson, but there could yet be more to come.
The former World Champion averaged a whopping 111.88 last time out and recorded six 180s, more than anyone else, a scoring rate he will need to keep up if he is to brush aside Thursday’s opponent Adrian Lewis.
The location of that tie doesn’t really bode well for Jackpot, as Mighty Mike seems to really come alive when he arrives on the Emerald Isle.
In his four matches in the Premier League in Dublin, MVG has won four times, each time by at least two legs.
What’s more his trips in the World Grand Prix have been particularly fruitful, winning two World Grand Prix, before finding only Robert Thornton too strong in the final last year.
He is 8/13 to see off Lewis on the big stage and available at 4/5 to cover the handicap of 2.5 legs as he bids to reach a fourth straight Premier League final.
The PDC’s best have often treated the crowds to some big scores on their foray to Ireland in the past, with three televised nine-darters coming in the past five renewals of the World Grand Prix also held in the city.
Fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld came close to emulating that in the Premier League’s last visit to the Irish capital, but a missed double 12 put paid to his efforts.
With the players showing some big scoring – seven players have averaged over 100 in the opening two nights – backing someone to go one better and record a nine-darter at 11/2 could be worth a shot.
A more tempting proposition though is the 10/3 on offer that there is a 170 check-out within the five matches on the night.
Van Gerwen checked out a 167 last week, and having accomplished such a feat en route to winning the Dutch Darts Masters last weekend, can deliver for backers.
Adrian Lewis is a quality player, but with the form in the book and a fondness all things Irish, it’s hard to bet against Michael van Gerwen.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publishing
