Live PDC Darts: Premier League Darts Week 8 Preview & Betting Tips

Thursday 23rd March. 7PM. Sky Sports 1

This week’s PDC darts action sees the Premier League rollercoaster head to the Manchester Arena, and the fans are in for a real treat as we approach next week’s Judgement Night in Cardiff.

Dave Chisnall sits out this week’s action as he’s played one more than the rest. However, that does mean the world’s number one will be involved twice! If that’s not enough reason to get excited, the thought of increasing our tournament profit certainly is.

Let’s play darts.

MVG Looks To Regain Top Spot

Despite playing one game fewer than the others (two in Chizzy’s case), Michael van Gerwen is still sitting pretty in second place. If he can pick up four points in Manchester, he will enter Judgement Night on top of the pile – and will be well on his way to booking a place in London on May 18th.

Mighty Mike starts the night against James Wade, who is currently third in the table with a decent return of eight points. The Machine has shown his credentials to beat MVG in the past, although he has suffered heavy defeats also. Quite frankly, it should be a cracking contest to ignite the Manchester crowd into bedlam.

The Dutchman faces an equally difficult task to end the night as he takes on compatriot Raymond van Barneveld, who will be in great confidence after last week’s demolition of Gary Anderson. Barney hit the highest checkout, most 180s, and highest average in Rotterdam last week. If he can produce that form back in England, we’re in for a barnstormer.

It certainly won’t be an easy task. But if anyone’s capable of back-to-back wins, MVG is the man.

Last Chance Saloon Huybrechts & Klaasen

Jelle Klaasen and Kim Huybrechts haven’t enjoyed the best of returns to the Premier League fold, and defeats would see both men drop out of the competition before Judgement Night even arrives.

It already looks ominous for both, but Huybrechts is arguably in the worst situation as he prepares to take on a wounded Anderson. The Flying Scotsman still has plenty of work to do if he’s going to work his way towards London’s O2, and he should start the rebuilding mission with an easy two points here.

For Klaasen, a 12-leg battle against Adrian Lewis awaits. Despite a poor start, Jackpot is up to seven points himself, and a win here would reignite his hopes of going deeper into the competition. If the fast-throwing two-time world champ starts well, it could be the end of the road for his Dutch opponent.

The night’s other match between current leader Peter Wright and Phil The Power Taylor has the potential to steal the headlines. While Snakebite is arguably in the form of his life, Taylor is stuck back on seven points and knows that results will be vital over the next two or three weeks. Expect fireworks from start to finish.

Premier League Darts Week 8 Betting

It wasn’t a massive win last week, but a winning 12/5 double ensured that our tournament profit climbed a little further and we’ll be looking to the doubles once more in a bid to increase our bankroll ahead of Judgement Night.

For our first double, we’re backing Lewis to follow up last week’s win over Huybrechts with a victory against struggling Klaasen. Combine it with Anderson to hit more maximums than Huybrechts.

We’re going to avoid MVG’s second game of the night, but do think he’ll perform well against Wade. After a slow start last week, we’re backing him to come out all guns blazing. With Wade likely to give him a test, we’re backing the Dutchman to hit over 3.5 180s.

Meanwhile, we’re expecting Wright and Taylor to provide a thrilling spectacle at the oche. We’d be surprised if there’s fewer than 11 legs in this one, which is why we’re backing Snakebite to join MVG with at least four maximums.