The Westpoint Arena in Exeter plays host to the McCoy’s Premier League Darts tonight (Sky Sports 1, 7pm) and the clash of Gary Anderson and Adrian Lewis could be the match of the season so far.
The big game is the last one on the schedule, as reigning Premier League champ Anderson takes on the reigning World champion Lewis. The two men met in last year’s League final and the Scot was the emphatic winner, 10-4.
Anderson arrives in tonight on the back of beating James Wade and Andy Hamilton and a win would set him up nicely as the League reaches the end of its first quarter tonight. But Lewis, as we know, is very hard to beat and he did down Anderson when the two met in the 2011 World Championship final.
The other eye-catcher is the meeting of Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor and Simon ‘The Wizard’ Whitlock, a repeat of the 2010 World Championship final. Taylor is top of the table after three rounds so the five-time League champ is really enjoying the 2012 League so far.
“I’m loving every minute of the McCoy’s Premier League so far,” said Taylor. “The crowds have been fantastic, I’m enjoying it and I’m getting some great results.
“Simon’s a top quality player but he showed last week that he was feeling a bit of pressure when he lost to Kevin Painter in Belfast. I’ve got to go out and put him under pressure from the start and make him think about the week before, which will make it hard for him.”
Sounds to us like Phil is nailed on for another win there.
The opener tonight sees James Wade in a desperate search for a win after three straight League defeats. He takes on Kevin Painter, who is on a decent run of form in the League.
“I’ve come into this Premier League like Andy Hamilton as an underdog but I’ve won two games out of three, so I’m doing alright,” said Painter.
The second match tonight sees Raymond Van Barneveld play Hamilton and with the Dutchman unbeaten against Hamilton for six years, it is hard to see past another win for Barney.
McCoy’s Premier League Darts, visits Dublin for the first time ever this year, at the O2 Arena on Thursday 22 March. Click here for ticket details.
