Live Darts: Premier League Darts Week 3 Preview & Betting Tips

Thursday 16th January. 7PM. Sky Sports 2

The Premier League darts bandwagon heads to Leeds on Thursday night and a packed First Direct Arena will be in for a thrilling night of action as 10 of the world’s best dartists take to the oche.

Not only does week three serves up several mouth-watering showdowns, but there’s also a huge battle for early dominance going on as no less than half the field is currently joint top on three points. Meanwhile, those in the bottom half will be equally desperate for points as the first phase approaches its middle third.

Game on!

Gary Anderson v Peter Wright In The Battle Of Scotland

Thursday’s action gets underway with what could be the night’s greatest showdown as Scotland’s two darting icons take to the oche. It’s the world number two versus the world number three, and it should be a 12-leg thriller.

The pair shared a 6-6 draw in their most recent Premier League meeting last year, but it’s Gary Anderson who should enter this one with more confidence thanks to his semi-final win over Snakebite in the World Championship. If the Flying Scotsman can channel that energy in Leeds, it will take a huge effort from Wright to grab the points.

However, it’s Wright who has the bigger need for victory as he enters eek three on two points. He needs to start picking up if he’s going to reach the last four for the first time. Then again, the fact he is now very much considered one of the top four players on the planet right now, he’ll have nothing to fear.

It should be an electric atmosphere. Regardless of the result, it should kickstart an incredible night of drama.

MVG Firing His Way To London

While five players may enter week three sitting on three points, it’s defending champion Michael van Gerwen who currently looks most likely to top the group phase and probably defend his crown in London in May. The Dutchman’s incredible year hit another new height last Friday as he registered two nine-dart finishes in one match, and the world number one will be looking to bring that form to Leeds.

The 27-year-old faces Jelle Klaasen on Thursday night, and will be expected to register another routine win against his countryman. That would leave the winless Klaasen in a horrible position, not least because fellow strugglers Kim Huybrechts and Dave Chisnall face off in the night’s final showdown. A win for either of those players could be the catalyst to start a revival. For the loser, though, an early exit will seem increasingly probable.

Earlier in the night Adrian Lewis takes on James Wade in another fascinating showdown. These two rivals have spent recent years on the peripherals of world class, but there’s a good chance that one of them could reach finals night. Jackpot may have the experience of two world titles, but the Machine has looked impressive in the early stages of this Premier League campaign and does boast a Premier League crown to his name too. This one should be a cracker.

Current leader Phil Taylor shows no signs of retiring on a whim, and will have a chance to exact revenge on Raymond van Barneveld, who knocked him out of the World Championship back in December. This great rivalry always serves up huge drama and, with the chance for either man to end the night on five points, we’d expect nothing different here.

Let’s just hope we can increase our tournament winnings too.

Premier League Darts Week 3 Betting

The tournament has been kind to us so far with the doubles, and that will be our approach once more.

For our first, we’re backing serial 180 scorers MVG and Chizzy to outscore their respective opponents on that front. We would be tempted to back the individual returns, but the potential of a short contest could ruin those hopes, which is why we’re taking this option.

It’s already reaching the stage where points are extremely important. In the battle of Scotland, we’re backing Anderson to continue his head-to-head dominance by registering a big win against Wright, even though we do expect Snakebite to put up a huge fight.

As for the English battle between Lewis and Wade, we’re backing Jackpot to edge his way to victory. With the double paying over 5/2, it’s well worth a punt.