PDC Premier League Darts Final Night Preview – Who Will Lift Crown At O2?

PDC Premier League Darts Final Night
Thursday 21st May 2015. 7:15PM. Sky Sports 1

What started out as 10 of the world’s greatest darts players has been whittled down to a field of just four and, after 15 weeks of enthralling entertainment, only 20 legs stand between the semi-finalists and the 2015 PDC Premier League crown.

The O2 Arena will be buzzing and, with £200,000 on offer to the winner, the final three matches of the campaign are unlikely to disappoint. Prepare yourselves for an explosive evening.

Let’s play darts!

Semi-Final 1: Raymond van Barneveld (3/1) v Michael van Gerwen (1/4) – Bet365 Odds

Last year, Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld stunned the darts world by claiming his first ever Premier League crown. This year, however, it seems compatriot Michael van Gerwen stands a much greater chance of success.

Since failing to defend his World Championship title in January, MvG has been almost unplayable and has racked up several tour victories as well as topping the Premier League table from early doors all the way through to finals night. On form, it’s hard to look past the dazzling Dutch prodigy.

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Having won this event two years ago, the 26-year-old has the experience as well as the ability to go all the way in London. Moreover, he followed that 2013 triumph by lifting the World crown seven months later and he’ll be hoping to repeat history by producing similar results between now and January – starting with victory on Thursday night.

Barney upset MvG in last year’s final with a stunning 10-6 victory. This time, though, the younger Dutchman should prevail to put his name in the final.

Semi-Final 2: Gary Anderson (4/7) v Dave Chisnall (11/8) – Bet365 Odds

January’s World Championship victory ensures that 2015 will forever be remembered as the greatest in Gary Anderson’s life, but the Flying Dutchman will be determined to produce the magic once more by adding the Premier League crown to his growing personal collection.

However, Anderson might not have things all his own way in this fascinating semi-final clash with an in-form Dave Chisnall. Chizzy has played some exceptional darts over the past 15 weeks, underlined by a 3-dart-average of over 100, and can be quietly confident about progressing to the final.

Chizzy hasn’t quite got the same level of experience, though, and that could be a crucial factor on the big O2 stage. It would be foolish to write him off completely, but Anderson enters this one as favourite for a reason.

Chisnall has comfortably beating the world champion in both meetings in this Premier League campaign. Can he repeat the act over an extended race to 10 legs?

Premier League Darts Finals Betting Tips

As far as winning the whole event is concerned, the big money has been placed with odds-on favourite Michael van Gerwen. In all honesty, it’s quite easy to see why.

The Dutchman has been a machine over the past 15 weeks and will be raring to make amends for last year’s upset. He should definitely reach the final and it would take a brave man to bet against him there, even in a format that can make him quite vulnerable.

[quote_center]Tip: Overall winner – Michael van Gerwen @ 5/6 with Paddy Power[/quote_center]

The nature of business means that the majority of match bets will be for the semi-finals as we won’t know the finalists until shortly before. However, if MvG plays well against Barney then we could be tempted by the handicap.

Meanwhile, fans could well be tempted by the ‘Nine Dart Finish’ market either as a match bet or a bet to be placed over the whole night. Backing the perfect leg is an outside shot admittedly, but the high standard of darts seen in recent weeks combined with the fact we’ve not seen a Nine-Darter in this year’s Premier League could be a good omen.

As far as the semi-finals are concerned, though, we’re kicking things off with a 5/2 double. If it wins, we’ll probably back overs on the 180s market in the final too.

[quote_center]Tip: MvG -3.5 handicap (legs) & Gary Anderson Over 5.5 180s @ 5/2 with Bet365[/quote_center]