Betway Premier League Week 14: Taylor to live to fight another day

The Power may be struggling but he can pick up a crucial win over Gary Anderson in Newcastle

Phil Taylor’s Betway Premier League future hangs by a thread but he can keep his hopes of a Play-Off place alive with victory over Gary Anderson this week. Defeat for the Power would mean those dreams are dead, and that is just so unlike the Taylor we know that it is hard to comprehend. In the 10-year history of the tournament Taylor has never failed to reach finals night. If he doesn’t manage it this time around, it really will be a huge piece of ammunition for those who say he is finished at the top level.

The 16-time world champ should not be written off yet, though, as he will come out all guns blazing this week and should be able to overcome the inconsistent The 16-time world champ should not be written off yet, though, as he will come out all guns blazing this week and should be able to overcome the inconsistent Anderson. The Flying Scotsman may have downed the Power 10 times competitively, a lot more than most, but he is not at his best of late. Mind you, neither is Taylor, who has only won one of his last six. This is a big game for Anderson too, but a loss is not terminal for his chances of qualification. When it is all on the line, it’s been wise to back Taylor for the last 25 years, it is worth sticking to that plan for just a bit longer at 11/8.

Top of the table Michael van Gerwen should be set for another win this week over Adrian Lewis which will guarantee him finishing in first place for a third consecutive year. Lewis may have held MVG to a draw earlier in the event but Jackpot has only won one of his last 14 clashes with the World Number One so it is the Dutchman we have to back this week at 4/7. Defeat will spell the end of Lewis’ slim chances of Play-Off qualification. This should come as no surprise given his strangely poor record in the Betway Premier League. If he is to become a dominant force in the game, his performances in this competition must improve. 

Dave Chisnall has already qualified for the Play-Offs, but he could be in a bit of trouble this week against his bogeyman Stephen Bunting. Since the Bullet moved over to the PDC last year he has met Chizzy six times and won five of them, including their previous contest in the Betway Premier League. Chisnall has clearly had the better tournament, but this record cannot be ignored. Bunting’s hopes of play-off qualification are over, so with no pressure on his shoulders he looks a great price at 7/4.

Raymond van Barneveld is the form player in the Betway Premier League at the moment, with five straight wins to his name. In comparison, James Wade has not picked up a single victory in his last six outings. This immediately looks like an easy pick, but there’s one spanner in the works; Wade’s weekend form. The Machine reached two of the three Players Championship finals over the weekend in Coventry, playing some fantastic darts throughout. He is clearly in great form on the floor, but he is struggling to translate it to the stage. Wade is obviously playing better than his recent Betway Premier League results suggest, but the rampant Barney cannot be ignored and looks far too good to turn down at 6/5.

Stephen Bunting to beat Dave Chisnall @ 7/4

Michael van Gerwen to beat Adrian Lewis @ 4/7

Raymond van Barneveld to beat James Wade @ 6/5

Phil Taylor to beat Gary Anderson @ 11/8