Thursday 21 May 2015 13:02, UK
The 2015 Premier League Darts season comes to a conclusion at the capital's O2 Arena on Thursday night, but which of the fabulous four will be crowned champion? Here's the view of Sky Sports Darts expert Wayne Mardle...
Dave Chisnall v Gary Anderson
Chizzy’s in the Play-Offs, has he made it? He’s such a lively so-called 'outsider' and he could really win it. Remember, along with Kim Huybrechts, he was the pre-tournament favourite to be eliminated. It’s an incredible achievement to be here and have a genuine chance at winning it.
It would be like Southampton winning the Premier League! We know they’ve got a really good team but they’re not going to win the league, are they? Chisnall is Southampton but he could win it!
He’ll get support from the crowd who always love a underdog. Don’t tell him I called him an underdog because he hates that, he beat Phil Taylor for goodness sake!
Neutrals, and there are a lot of them at the darts, will support Chisnall because he’s likeable, he plays quickly and he’s fun to watch.
If they both continue their league form it will be tight but Chizzy has beaten the world champion twice this year already. Do you remember how well Chizzy played when he beat Gary Anderson? But Gary's style suits Chizzy – he only dropped five legs in two matches against him so far.
Chisnall was only one points away from finishing top of the Premier League and It wouldn’t surprise me if he wins the whole thing.
Gary, in his own mind, will be the favourite. As world champion he’s got to keep reaching finals, starting now. He’ll feel that pressure, and he buckled last year. Gary needs to start well so everything’s rosy in his garden.
Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
I’m a Barney fan and I desperately keep looking at the stats trying to convince myself that he can win this match – but I just can’t see it. He’s beaten Michael in the league already, but Van Gerwen has averaged 104 over 16 weeks and if he averages 100 he’ll still win this game.
Don’t forget you’ve got that Dutch rivalry which shouldn’t be underestimated. This is the five-time world champ Van Barneveld against the best player that the Netherlands has ever produced. Van Gerwen has been on a different planet since 2012, playing the sort of darts that Barney is capable of, but not capable of sustaining like Michael can.
For Raymond to win, Michael has to miss doubles. Raymond has beaten Michael a bucketload of times but only once in their last 10 matches. But he did beat him in last year’s Premier League and then again in the Play-Off final. The positives are obvious for Barney – he has beaten Michael on this big stage before.
We also have to consider that Michael is a better player since a year ago. He’s stronger mentally.
If Barney averages a ton, then it will be leg-in and leg-out and he’ll be on the double or out within 15 darts – that’s what he has to do. He can’t give Michael 15 darts against the throw, he has to leave him on the 116s.
If Barney takes out 120 against the throw then wins in 15 when Michael sitting on tops after 12, that’s perfect timing.
The trouble is, if Van Gerwen has a 10 minute purple patch he’ll win four legs in that time.
The Final
Darts is simple sometimes. It will be a better final if it’s Chisnall v MvG because sometimes Anderson can be very defensive. I just see Michael averaging 103, 104 or even 110.
Wayne's Prediction: Van Gerwen is just the best player! And importantly, he proves that at the most important times, like he did last week against Chisnall to win the league phase. With 248, he hits 140 and 108 to check out with Chisnall sitting on 66. He had to go out in six darts and he did!
See if Wayne's predictions are correct when you watch the Premier League Darts Play-Offs live on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm on Thursday May 21.
Not a Sky Sports subscriber? Watch for the Darts for £6.99 with NOW TV Day Pass.
