McCoy's Premier League - Week 12 Preview

THE battle for McCoy's Premier League Darts Play-Off places continues at Birmingham's NIA on Thursday, with Phil Taylor, Simon Whitlock, Adrian Lewis and Robert Thornton facing crucial nights in their bid for a top-four finish.

The 12th night of league action will see six matches held at the Midlands arena, with birthday boy Michael van Gerwen needing only one point to mathematically secure his Play-Off place next month.

The players placed second and third in the table, James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld, clash in a contest which could prove significant for the winner, while their rivals in the hunt for top four spots meet in other key games.

Fourth-placed Phil Taylor, the reigning champion, doubles up in Birmingham with games against Stoke rival Adrian Lewis and 2012 runner-up Simon Whitlock.

Taylor ended a two-game losing run by picking up a win and a draw in Dublin last week, and is hoping that he can enjoy similar success as he plays twice for a second time in Birmingham.

"It was a difficult night in Dublin and it will be tough again in Birmingham, but I'm looking forward to the challenge," said Taylor.

"I've not been at my best recently but I'm doing a lot of work to improve my game. I'm trying a few things and it's not quite right yet, but I'll keep trying."

Taylor sits two points clear of Robert Thornton and three ahead of Andy Hamilton and Simon Whitlock going into the final three league nights.

Thornton also doubles up in Birmingham, as he takes on Hamilton and Lewis, and said: "I'll just take each game as it comes and give it my best shot.

"All the way through the season I've just gone up there to try and enjoy the matches, and if my darts go in then it's great, if not then so be it. I'm loving the Premier League and it seems to have brought the best out of me."

Whitlock has won his last two matches since avoiding the threat of elimination on Judgement Night, and is eagerly awaiting his double header against van Gerwen and Taylor.

"I've got the number one and two in the world and I'm going to try and do some damage!" said the Australian. "I'll be trying to beat them both, and I can't wait.

"I know I can beat both these guys, I've done it many times before, and if I can win the first game, get some momentum and confidence for the second one, I believe I can do it."

The world number five was last year's Premier League runner-up, and has his sights set on ensuring a return to The O2 on May 16 - but warned: "You've got to play one match at a time.

"I need to get at least six points out of my next five matches to have a chance of reaching the Play-Offs but I'm going in the right direction."

Birthday boy van Gerwen, who turns 24 on Thursday, sits four points clear of Wade at the top of the table and requires only a point to be certain of a Play-Off place.

"I think I'll be in the Play-Offs now but I need to make sure of it," said the World Grand Prix champion. "I've got three games left and I want to win all three, starting with Simon.

"We always have good games but the last time we played, he beat me 6-1 in the final of a UK Open Qualifier a couple of weeks ago. I missed a lot of doubles in that game and he deserved to win, but I want to get my revenge in Birmingham!

"I always said I was going to be difficult, especially for my first season in the Premier League, but I'm having an amazing year.”

2009 Premier League champion Wade, meanwhile, is looking to further cement his top-four place when he meets Raymond van Barneveld - and is in bullish mood ahead of their second-versus-third encounter.

"I won't lose to him," said Wade. "We drew the last time we played and I was awful - I had gastroenteritis and hadn't slept for two days and I still got a draw.

"People are saying he's having a great year but I don't see that with Barney. I don't see that his averages are there - I see that he's been getting the right results with small averages and small performances.

"He isn't playing that great - look at the scoresheets, the averages and the finishing percentages - and I look forward to playing him."

Van Gerwen is now the 5/4 favourite to win the McCoy's Premier League title with Coral, the official betting partner of the tournament.

Taylor is the 9/4 second favourite, with Wade rated at 5/1, van Barneveld priced at 6/1, Thornton 20/1 to cap his debut season with the title, Whitlock 25/1 and Lewis and Hamilton now the outsiders at 100/1.

Tickets for Thursday's McCoy's Premier League Darts at the NIA are still available by calling 0844 338 8000 or visiting www.theticketfactory.com.

The McCoy's Premier League Darts will be screened live on Sky Sports 1HD from 7pm on Thursday, and also broadcast live through RTL7 in the Netherlands, Sport1 in Germany, OSN across the Middle East, Fox Sports in Australia and through www.LIVEPDC.TV for International Pass Subscribers.

McCoy's Premier League Darts
Week 12
April 25 – NIA, Birmingham
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis
Simon Whitlock v Michael van Gerwen
Robert Thornton v Andy Hamilton
Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Simon Whitlock
Adrian Lewis v Robert Thornton

Coral Match Odds
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis
2/5 – Phil Taylor
9/2 – Draw
9/2 – Adrian Lewis

Simon Whitlock v Michael v Gerwen
4/1 – Simon Whitlock
9/2 - Draw
4/9 – Michael van Gerwen

Robert Thornton v Andy Hamilton
11/10 – Robert Thornton
7/2 - Draw
13/8 – Andy Hamilton

Raymond v Barneveld v James Wade
13/10 – Raymond van Barneveld
7/2 - Draw
11/8 – James Wade

Phil Taylor v Simon Whitlock
4/9 – Phil Taylor
9/2 - Draw
4/1 –Simon Whitlock

Adrian Lewis v Robert Thornton
13/10 – Adrian Lewis
7/2 – Draw
11/8 – Robert Thornton
All odds correct at 11am on April 24 and courtesy of www.coral.co.uk.
Coral are the official betting partner of the McCoy's Premier League Darts.

Latest League Table

* Andy Hamilton and Simon Whitlock are split on Tournament Average.