As we near the midpoint of the first phase, we have a real relegation four pointer on the schedule tonight in Exeter.
As we expected, the 2013 Premier League hasn’t failed to entertain. Three men remain unbeaten (Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Robert Thornton) after three rounds but it is at the foot of the table that the pressure is building ahead of tonight’s action in Exeter.
One of the innovations in this year’s Premier League is the relegation of the bottom two players after nine rounds. Right now, that means that winless duo Wes Newton and Adrian Lewis are in deep trouble as they sit ninth and tenth respectively and the pair play each other tonight.
Defeat will leave the loser in deep, deep trouble so we can’t wait to see how this one plays out. Lewis has been saying all the right things, telling the PDC website: “I’m putting the hard work in but a lot of my darts are going on the wire and it’s just not happening for me. It’s a bit of confidence really and it’s frustrating for me at the minute because I’m practising well and I’m expecting my best darts to come out.”
Newton, who was 6-3 up on Thornton last week before being pegged back for a draw, is also aware how important tonight’s match is.
“It’s a massive game for both of us because neither of us want to be where we are in the table and whoever loses is going to be in a really bad position,” he said. It should be a cracker.
Further up the table, the man on top, Phil Taylor, faces James Wade. Between them they have won all but one of the Premier League titles ever contested and their 2010 final in this event was one of the greatest ever matches because The Power did this:
We might be asking a lot for a repeat of that but with Taylor you just never know.
Also on the agenda tonight unbeaten Thornton will play Gary Anderson in all-Scottish clash, ‘Mighty Mike’ van Gerwen plays Andy Hamilton and Raymond van Barneveld takes on Simon Whitlock.
Tune into the action tonight on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm.
