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MVG and Barney will collide in Rotterdam tonight!

Premier League Darts: Rotterdam Predictions & betting tips, including MVG v Barney, from John Part

Darts

Thu April 19, 2018 · 7y ago

John Part previews night two of Premier League Darts' Rotterdam rampage, including MVG v Barney, plus a treble at close to 6/1.

Tonight is the second instalment of this week's Rotterdam double-header as Dutch giants Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld do battle in front of a sea of 10,000 orange shirts.

Last night the Barney Army inspired the veteran to an impressive victory over Simon Whitlock but MVG suffered a shock defeat against Peter Wright. There were also two wins for Gary Anderson as the race for the top four hots up.

Here's three-time world champion John Part's preview and tips of every match...

John Part's selections & treble

Scroll down for his full rundown of each match, helpful stats, bet explanation & latest table

John Part's treble: Anderson, Wright and MVG all to win (click here to back it at 5.96/1 with Sky Bet)

Whitlock to win, throw three or more 180s & a 77-plus checkout - Click to back at 9/2 with Sky Bet
Anderson to win, throw four or more 180s and a 107-plus checkout - Click to back at 9/2 with Sky Bet
Wright to win, throw three or more 180s and a 100-plus checkout - Click to back at 6/1 with Sky Bet
Van Gerwen to win, throw more 180s and highest checkout - Click to back at 6/4 with Sky Bet
Whitlock (v Gurney) to win, throw three or more 180s and a 100-plus checkout - Click to back at 6/1 with Sky Bet
Click here to bet on tonight's darts

Simon Whitlock (2/1) v Michael Smith (10/11) (draw 3/1)

Head-to-head: 5-7

PL Darts 2018 stats

3-dart Average: 93.78 - 94.52
180s: 30 - 24
100+ checkouts: 7 - 6
Highest checkout: 164 - 160
Checkout %: (55/140) 39.29% - (63/154) 40.91%

I think this is the key match for everybody looking for a top-four place - it determines whether Smith remains in range or not. He is now the target for all those on the outside looking in and I think Simon is up to making things really interesting.

Simon looked pretty good to me last night, despite losing, whereas Smith didn't look comfortable with the crowd. The Aussie will be well up for the first of two matches on the night and realise how important it is.

I like the low player performance line for Whitlock, which is for him to win the match, throw three or more maximums and a checkout of 77 or more. At 9/2, that's a value option to kick off the night.

Daryl Gurney (11/4) v Gary Anderson (4/6) (draw 7/2)

Head-to-head: 6-6 (1 draw)

PL Darts 2018 stats

3-dart Average: 97.46 - 99.97
180s: 48 - 45
100+ checkouts: 8 - 14
Highest checkout: 138 - 170
Checkout %: (61/171) 35.67% - (73/171) 42.69%

Anderson is a big-time player, and he can be very business like when he needs to be. That helps so much in front of crowds like this and we saw it when he beat Cross last night. I expect him to do well again here and get our treble off to a winning start.

Daryl got going late in his match against Cross, but I don't think that level of form is enough despite his good record against Gary. I just think the venue plays into the hands of the more experienced player and I like the 9/2 offered about Anderson winning, with four or more 180s and a checkout of 107-plus.

Rob Cross (4/5) v Peter Wright (9/4) (draw 3/1)

Head-to-head: 4-3

PL Darts 2018 stats

3-dart Average: 98.32 - 96.04
180s: 41 - 24
100+ checkouts: 10 - 7
Highest checkout: 144 - 132
Checkout %: (67/148) 45.27% - (54/132) 40.91%

Cross's game took a while to come out in the Premier League but he's settled into it now, after having to deal with being world champion and all the rest that comes with it.

He's very tough to beat - but certainly no tougher than MVG and Peter dealt with him just fine last night!

Wright threw beautifully after adjusting his equipment and he's a big price again. Going back to the experience angle, he has that in his favour in front of a big crowd and 6/1 that he wins, throws three 180s and a 100-plus checkout looks big - if he wins I expect all three to go in.

Michael van Gerwen (2/7) v Raymond van Barneveld (6/1) (draw 5/1)

Head-to-head: 18-34 (1 draw)

PL Darts 2018 stats

3-dart Average: 103.87 - 94.64
180s: 43 - 29
100+ checkouts: 15 - 6
Highest checkout: 170 - 167
Checkout %: (73/161) 45.34% - (54/147) 36.73%

I'm tending to think here that if you went off of what happened last night... well that would be foolhardy.

Raymond got the dignity-saving victory he needed and he's off the hook with the crowd - Michael isn't, but that might in fact make him more dangerous here.

I don't think Raymond was too worried about his Premier League position last night and it worked in his favour. But in a similar way it's Michael who now has something to prove, and after the capitulation of Raymond in Belfast, I think MVG will feel very comfortable playing his compatriot and he'll rise to the occasion. He's not one to go on losing runs!

The basic match treble (win, highest checkout and most 180s) at 6/4 looks solid - there's no need to get greedy on this one. Raymond missed a few finishes last night despite winning well enough and MVG should be far too classy. I like him to be the big star on the night.

Daryl Gurney (10/11) v Simon Whitlock (2/1) (draw 3/1)

Head-to-head: 11-2

PL Darts 2018 stats

3-dart Average: 97.46 - 93.78
180s: 48 - 30
100+ checkouts: 8 - 7
Highest checkout: 138 - 164
Checkout %: (61/171) 35.67% - (55/140) 39.29%

I would've made Gurney a solid bet if we were looking at this in isolation, but I like Whitlock to start the night with a win and that will put him on a real high whereas if I'm right and Gurney gets a hiding from Anderson, he'll be under pressure.

Whitlock also has the experience edge we keep coming back to and I like the medium performance for Simon, who can throw three 180s, a 100-plus finish and win the match at 6/1.