ROD HARRINGTON previews the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Play-Offs.
The Sky Sports expert, in his MatchroomBets.com video preview, looks ahead to the culmination of the 2009 Premier League at the Wembley Arena on Monday.
Phil Taylor takes on Mervyn King and James Wade faces Raymond van Barneveld in the semi-finals, with the winners then facing off to battle for the £125,000 first prize.
Match odds and other prices are available from Boylesports - the official betting partner of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts.
Click here to watch Rod Harrington's video preview at MatchroomBets.com
Raymond van Barneveld (evens) v James Wade (4/5)
Raymond has been hit and miss all season - he has been playing great and then the following week not really doing it.
James Wade on the other hand has really come into his own towards the end of the Premier League and that great win against Phil Taylor in Belfast is going to hold him in good stead against the Dutchman.
I think this is going to be a close game - I can't see it being short either, it could go to 17, 18 or 19 legs.
On form, I think James Wade could nick it but I cannot back against Barney because he can pull it out on the big occasion.
The one thing I will say is that the 180s will go in this one - Boylesports are doing over ten 180s and I think that's a must.
Phil Taylor (1/12) v Mervyn King (7/1)
I don't think there is anybody in the world who can get near Phil Taylor at the moment.
He really is playing brilliantly and his self-belief in his own ability is unbelievable.
If Mervyn King is going to get anything out of Phil he needs to take at least three of the first five legs.
If he goes into the break 4-1 or even 5-0 down he will be history as we all know what Taylor can do when he's in the lead.
King is in the top four because he put points on the board early part of the season because he hit his shots out - 76, 86, 121 - he's been so good at them all season.
He's got to do that against Taylor, if he doesn't throw somewhere near a 110 average I don't think he'll get close to Phil.
In the final, I can't see James or Raymond beating Phil - threre is a little area of legs around 12, 13 and 14 where Phil just kicks on and the other players come down a bit.
It happened to Wade in the Matchplay last year when Taylor ended up winning easy and I think this will happen again.
Match odds and other prices are available from Boylesports - the official betting partner of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts.
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Play-Offs
May 25, 6pm - Wembley Arena
Semi-Finals
James Wade v Raymond van Barneveld
Phil Taylor v Mervyn King
Best of 19 legs
Final
Best of 25 legs
Tickets: 0870 060 0870
See highlights from the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts in PDCtv
Click here to purchase the official Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Programme
The Sky Sports expert, in his MatchroomBets.com video preview, looks ahead to the culmination of the 2009 Premier League at the Wembley Arena on Monday.
Phil Taylor takes on Mervyn King and James Wade faces Raymond van Barneveld in the semi-finals, with the winners then facing off to battle for the £125,000 first prize.
Match odds and other prices are available from Boylesports - the official betting partner of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts.
Click here to watch Rod Harrington's video preview at MatchroomBets.com
Raymond van Barneveld (evens) v James Wade (4/5)
Raymond has been hit and miss all season - he has been playing great and then the following week not really doing it.
James Wade on the other hand has really come into his own towards the end of the Premier League and that great win against Phil Taylor in Belfast is going to hold him in good stead against the Dutchman.
I think this is going to be a close game - I can't see it being short either, it could go to 17, 18 or 19 legs.
On form, I think James Wade could nick it but I cannot back against Barney because he can pull it out on the big occasion.
The one thing I will say is that the 180s will go in this one - Boylesports are doing over ten 180s and I think that's a must.
Phil Taylor (1/12) v Mervyn King (7/1)
I don't think there is anybody in the world who can get near Phil Taylor at the moment.
He really is playing brilliantly and his self-belief in his own ability is unbelievable.
If Mervyn King is going to get anything out of Phil he needs to take at least three of the first five legs.
If he goes into the break 4-1 or even 5-0 down he will be history as we all know what Taylor can do when he's in the lead.
King is in the top four because he put points on the board early part of the season because he hit his shots out - 76, 86, 121 - he's been so good at them all season.
He's got to do that against Taylor, if he doesn't throw somewhere near a 110 average I don't think he'll get close to Phil.
In the final, I can't see James or Raymond beating Phil - threre is a little area of legs around 12, 13 and 14 where Phil just kicks on and the other players come down a bit.
It happened to Wade in the Matchplay last year when Taylor ended up winning easy and I think this will happen again.
Match odds and other prices are available from Boylesports - the official betting partner of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts.
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Play-Offs
May 25, 6pm - Wembley Arena
Semi-Finals
James Wade v Raymond van Barneveld
Phil Taylor v Mervyn King
Best of 19 legs
Final
Best of 25 legs
Tickets: 0870 060 0870
See highlights from the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts in PDCtv
Click here to purchase the official Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Programme