Premier League - Week 8

[M H]

This Thursday's McCoy's Premier League Darts in Cardiff will be preceded at 7pm by a minute's applause in memory of the late Jocky Wilson, the two-time World Champion who passed away on Saturday night.

The amended fixtures are now:
Week Eight
March 29 - Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Adrian Lewis v Andy Hamilton
James Wade v Simon Whitlock
Kevin Painter v Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld v Adrian Lewis

Whichever way you look at this it's turned into a crucial night for Lewis

[Dicie]

Will wades hammering last week effect him 2moro night i wonder. Hes the sort of lad that downs tools if he takes a big uppercut like that

[andy a]

Also Jame's girlfriend was in hospital yesterday so you have to wonder if he'll be fully concentrating on his game.

[Dicie]

Also Jame's girlfriend was in hospital yesterday so you have to wonder if he'll be fully concentrating on his game.

Not good at all, hope she is on de mend soon

[andy a]

I think so, she was sending pictures of her IV drip on twitter yesterday so doesn't sound too serious but would certainly be enough to distract him a little.

[DrZoidberg]

youve got to wonder how adrian will cope playing twice.

i'd imagine he'll be using the walk on girl to lean on when hes coming out for his game against barney.

[Justin Credible]

I think the chance for him to make 4 points in one night of darts will actually see him perform for a change.

Its a great incentive for him now

[martin71109]

I think the chance for him to make 4 points in one night of darts will actually see him perform for a change.

Its a great incentive for him now

i see what your saying and maybe he will, but i think the barney game will be the tricky one out of the two and maybe a 7-7 result

[Justin Credible]

I think having the barney match second is better for lewis...ok its later and some believe he will be pissed but he has proven when on form being pissed is not an issue when it comes to throwing

[martin71109]

barney is scoring well atm and lewis will need to be on his game to beat him, pissed or not pissed barney is playing well so far in the PL

[M H]

ADRIAN LEWIS aims to take advantage of playing twice as the McCoy's Premier League Darts visits the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on Thursday to boost his Play-Off challenge.

The World Champion recorded his first victory of the season a week ago in Dublin when he defeated Kevin Painter 8-3, and will play twice in Cardiff in the absence of Gary Anderson, who is attending his father's funeral in Scotland.

Lewis will open the night against Stoke rival Andy Hamilton before returning to the stage to play Raymond van Barneveld in the fourth match - and despite finding himself bottom a week ago could amazingly move second in the table with two victories.

"My first thoughts go out to Gary and his family at a hard time following the loss of his father, and we'll all be thinking of him on Thursday," said Lewis.

"When I was asked to step in and play Andy, that's the least I can do and looking at the league it's down to me now to make the most of it.

"I got my first win last week and I want to kick on from that now because I'm feeling confident and think I can go from strength to strength now. Both Andy and Raymond will be tough opponents but I'll give it my best shot in both matches."

Van Barneveld currently sits second in the league table on leg difference ahead of Simon Whitlock, and travels to the sold-out event Cardiff in confident mood following three victories in his last four games.

The Dutchman said: "When I got the Wildcard I was over the moon, and I said that I want to prove a few people wrong who said that I was finished.

"To be second in the league after seven games proves I can still play the game, and I'm looking forward to the next seven weeks. I'm aiming to be in the top four, and playing the final and winning this tournament would be a dream."

Australian star Whitlock plays James Wade in Cardiff on Thursday and also has eight points from the opening seven weeks.

"I know James really well but I'll approach it like every other week," said Whitlock. "I'll go up there and try and be aggressive on the board and go for the win.

"Eight points is a great total for the first half; I think you're going to need 14 to get through to the Play-Offs - it's been 14 I think every year I've played in it so I'm slightly in front at the minute.

"My scoring's there, I've got to hit some more doubles. Consistency is the key, to be consistent on hitting your scores and then hitting your doubles."

Unbeaten league leader Phil Taylor plays Kevin Painter at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, having hit a nine-dart finish when the pair met in Aberdeen, which the Stoke ace won in the first of six successive victories.

"I'll be attacking Kevin," said Taylor, who is five points clear on 13 points. "You've got to go out there and make your opponent work for every leg.

"I'm going to make sure I keep trying harder and keep getting better, and that's what I'm doing - and I've still got another gear!

"With another couple of wins I think I'll have qualified for the Play-Offs, and that's what you want to do. You want to get through to the last four and that's the aim at the moment."

The night in Cardiff will be preceded at 7pm by a minute's applause in memory of the late Jocky Wilson, the two-time World Champion who passed away on Saturday night.

McCoy's Premier League Darts
Week Eight
March 29 - Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Adrian Lewis v Andy Hamilton
James Wade v Simon Whitlock
Kevin Painter v Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld v Adrian Lewis
Tickets: SOLD OUT

Week Eight Match Odds, courtesy of www.williamhill.com
Adrian Lewis v Andy Hamilton
4/7 Adrian Lewis
9/2 Draw
5/2 Andy Hamilton

James Wade v Simon Whitlock
5/4 James Wade
9/2 Draw
11/10 Simon Whitlock

Kevin Painter v Phil Taylor
15/2 Kevin Painter
7/1 Draw
1/6 Phil Taylor

Raymond van Barneveld v Adrian Lewis
11/8 Raymond van Barneveld
9/2 Draw
Evs Adrian Lewis

[Dicie]

Barney is a super price 2moro night, really is... 11/8, against a player that might well have had 1 to many come 10 o clock, after trying to be ready for a game 2 and half hours earlier

[Randall]

sink or swim for lewis tomorrow and im going for sink, probably in a vat of cider,

[Sprocket501]

sink or swim for lewis tomorrow and im going for sink, probably in a vat of cider,

[Justin Credible]

sink or swim for lewis tomorrow and im going for sink, probably in a vat of cider,

think lewis will play well tonight

[Randall]

sink or swim for lewis tomorrow and im going for sink, probably in a vat of cider,

think lewis will play well tonight

id love him to muller barney but im not convinced he will.

[Justin Credible]

sink or swim for lewis tomorrow and im going for sink, probably in a vat of cider,

think lewis will play well tonight

id love him to muller barney but im not convinced he will.

have faith brother randall, have faith

[Randall]

sink or swim for lewis tomorrow and im going for sink, probably in a vat of cider,

think lewis will play well tonight

id love him to muller barney but im not convinced he will.

have faith brother randall, have faith

i will be checking the results in the sun at 4.45 in the morning with great interest!

[Justin Credible]

so you wont be gracing us with your pleasure then I take it ?

[Randall]

so you wont be gracing us with your pleasure then I take it ?

i wish mate, got to be out the house by 4.20 in the morning