Premier League Darts: More Barney belligerence in Birmingham

Although the top three look to be home and hosed in the race for a Premier League Darts play-off spot, the battle for the one remaining space is as intriguing as any Championship-football title-fight or Mayweather v Pacquiao scrap.

Mathematically, any of the remaining five men could nab fourth place in the last three weeks. In reality, James Wade and Stephen Bunting need results to swing in their favour if they are to make an O2 appearance.

With those two battling it out in week 13, at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham, the winner could effectively end his rival’s hopes of a semi-final spot.

Although he was whitewashed by a rampaging Michael van Gerwen last week, James Wade looks best placed to do that at a price of 6/5.

Wade has held the better form of the pair for longer and was in the wrong place at the wrong time against MVG last time, while Bunting only halted a six-game winless run against an out-of-sorts Gary Anderson.

Of the other three playoff-chasers, Phil Taylor has possession of fourth by just a single point. He is unlikely to add to his tally in the Midlands, where he faces up to the juggernaut that is Mighty Mike. The Dutchman is an appealing 5/6 favourite against the Stoke man.

Adrian Lewis and defending champion Raymond van Barneveld, the final two dreaming of a London swansong, are the last pair required to play twice in a night. They will square off in the final match of the evening, with Barney picked to prevail at 6/4.

Since surviving relegation on the final night of phase one, the loveable Dutchman has a 100 percent record.

Lewis, who is also unbeaten since Judgement Night, but drew with Taylor last week, still isn’t throwing the kind of formidable darts he was once feared for and should lose his streak here.

Barney and Jackpot’s other matches of the night come against Dave Chisnall and Anderson respectively. Both men are taken, in the draw no bet market, to advance to their curtain call with at least a point.

Chizzy and the Flying Scotsman seem to have lost their edge since realising an O2 spot is guaranteed and should be tested by two men scrapping for their Premier League futures.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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