Betway Premier League - Night 1 Preview!
Kim Huybrechts vs James Wade
Kicking of the night in Newcastle, 'The Machine' James Wade will take on the 'Hurricane' Kim Huybrechts. As for James, he's been playing good stuff recently, making the Semi Finals of the Champions League of darts, then getting to the final of the Grand Slam 2 months ago, also getting to the Quarter final of the World Championships, losing to Peter Wright. I think the key for James Wade over the years has been his finishing, his scoring might not be good as his finishing but on his day he can cause anybody player trouble when on form. As for for the 'Hurricane' Kim Huybrechts, who will be participating in the Premier League for the 2nd time in his career, most people thought he was unlucky to be relegated in his first season in the Premier League. Kim is of course most famous for his win over MVG at the Grand Slam 3 years ago, hitting a 9 darter, so I think this should be a good game.
My prediction: Kim Huybrechts 7-4 James Wade
Raymond van Barneveld vs Adrian Lewis
Second up in Newcastle, Raymond van Barneveld will take on 'Jackpot' Adrian Lewis which should be a really good game. As for Raymond, he will be more confident because he beat Adrian Lewis at the World Championships last month in a deciding set, Raymond went on to make the semi final, losing to a Michael van Gerwen, I think 2017 promises to be a success for Raymond van Barneveld. As for Adrian Lewis, he hasn't been playing his best darts as we all know he can. Lewis didn't even win a game at the Grand Slam 2 months ago, that in my opinion where his form has dipped. We all know Adrian can play well but he needs abit more consistency to his game in my opinion. I think Lewis will play far better in this game. But Raymond gets the edge.
My prediction: Raymond van Barneveld 7-3 Adrian Lewis
Phil Taylor vs Dave Chisnall
3rd up in Newcastle, 'The Power' Phil Taylor will take on 'Chizzy' Dave Chisnall. Of course Phil Taylor has announced that this year (2017) will be his last year on the darting circuit, which in my opinion is a big lose for darts. I think no player whatsoever will match Phil Taylor's 16 World Championship titles. As for Chisnall, it's been losing finals recently to MVG recently, the Players Championhip finals, I think Dave Chisnall has to kick on now and sooner rather than later he will win a major.
My Prediction: Phil Taylor 7-5 Dave Chisnall
Michael van Gerwen vs Gary Anderson
4th up in Newcastle, arguably the match of the night, and a repeat of the World Championships and masters final, MVG will take on Gary Anderson. As for MVG, it's been absolutely brilliant. From hitting 170's and 9 darters for fun, setting average records, winning all the PDC Majors, only losing 2 games on TV all year to Phil Taylor twice in 2 nights to winning the World Championships, the biggest trophy in darts. I think MVG is just unplayable at the minute, I only think 1 player who can match him, is his opponent, Gary Anderson who won 2 World Series events last year, getting beat by Michael in the World Championship and Masters final. I think this will be one sided.
My Prediction: Michael van Gerwen 7-3 Gary Anderson
Peter Wright vs Jelle Klaasen
Rounding off the night in Newcastle, 'Snakebite' Peter Wright will take on the 'Cobra' Jelle Klaasen. Peter reached the World Series of darts final, and then getting to the semi finals of the Worlds, losing to Gary Anderson, I think Peter, like Dave Chisnall, a major will come sooner rather than later, he just needs to beat MVG but no one can't at the minute. As for his opponent 'Jelle' Klaasen, it started off by getting to the semi finals of the Worlds last year, losing to the eventual winner Gary Anderson, making the semi finals of the U.K. Open and European Championships. I think this will be a good game.
My Prediction: Peter Wright 7-5 Jelle Klaasen
Full fixtures:
2017 Betway Premier League
Night One - Thursday February 2
Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Kim Huybrechts v James Wade
Raymond van Barneveld v Adrian Lewis
Phil Taylor v Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen
Peter Wright v Jelle Klaasen
By Carter Guiney
Kim Huybrechts vs James Wade
Kicking of the night in Newcastle, 'The Machine' James Wade will take on the 'Hurricane' Kim Huybrechts. As for James, he's been playing good stuff recently, making the Semi Finals of the Champions League of darts, then getting to the final of the Grand Slam 2 months ago, also getting to the Quarter final of the World Championships, losing to Peter Wright. I think the key for James Wade over the years has been his finishing, his scoring might not be good as his finishing but on his day he can cause anybody player trouble when on form. As for for the 'Hurricane' Kim Huybrechts, who will be participating in the Premier League for the 2nd time in his career, most people thought he was unlucky to be relegated in his first season in the Premier League. Kim is of course most famous for his win over MVG at the Grand Slam 3 years ago, hitting a 9 darter, so I think this should be a good game.
My prediction: Kim Huybrechts 7-4 James Wade
Raymond van Barneveld vs Adrian Lewis
Second up in Newcastle, Raymond van Barneveld will take on 'Jackpot' Adrian Lewis which should be a really good game. As for Raymond, he will be more confident because he beat Adrian Lewis at the World Championships last month in a deciding set, Raymond went on to make the semi final, losing to a Michael van Gerwen, I think 2017 promises to be a success for Raymond van Barneveld. As for Adrian Lewis, he hasn't been playing his best darts as we all know he can. Lewis didn't even win a game at the Grand Slam 2 months ago, that in my opinion where his form has dipped. We all know Adrian can play well but he needs abit more consistency to his game in my opinion. I think Lewis will play far better in this game. But Raymond gets the edge.
My prediction: Raymond van Barneveld 7-3 Adrian Lewis
Phil Taylor vs Dave Chisnall
3rd up in Newcastle, 'The Power' Phil Taylor will take on 'Chizzy' Dave Chisnall. Of course Phil Taylor has announced that this year (2017) will be his last year on the darting circuit, which in my opinion is a big lose for darts. I think no player whatsoever will match Phil Taylor's 16 World Championship titles. As for Chisnall, it's been losing finals recently to MVG recently, the Players Championhip finals, I think Dave Chisnall has to kick on now and sooner rather than later he will win a major.
My Prediction: Phil Taylor 7-5 Dave Chisnall
Michael van Gerwen vs Gary Anderson
4th up in Newcastle, arguably the match of the night, and a repeat of the World Championships and masters final, MVG will take on Gary Anderson. As for MVG, it's been absolutely brilliant. From hitting 170's and 9 darters for fun, setting average records, winning all the PDC Majors, only losing 2 games on TV all year to Phil Taylor twice in 2 nights to winning the World Championships, the biggest trophy in darts. I think MVG is just unplayable at the minute, I only think 1 player who can match him, is his opponent, Gary Anderson who won 2 World Series events last year, getting beat by Michael in the World Championship and Masters final. I think this will be one sided.
My Prediction: Michael van Gerwen 7-3 Gary Anderson
Peter Wright vs Jelle Klaasen
Rounding off the night in Newcastle, 'Snakebite' Peter Wright will take on the 'Cobra' Jelle Klaasen. Peter reached the World Series of darts final, and then getting to the semi finals of the Worlds, losing to Gary Anderson, I think Peter, like Dave Chisnall, a major will come sooner rather than later, he just needs to beat MVG but no one can't at the minute. As for his opponent 'Jelle' Klaasen, it started off by getting to the semi finals of the Worlds last year, losing to the eventual winner Gary Anderson, making the semi finals of the U.K. Open and European Championships. I think this will be a good game.
My Prediction: Peter Wright 7-5 Jelle Klaasen
Full fixtures:
2017 Betway Premier League
Night One - Thursday February 2
Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Kim Huybrechts v James Wade
Raymond van Barneveld v Adrian Lewis
Phil Taylor v Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen
Peter Wright v Jelle Klaasen
By Carter Guiney