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Van Gerwen ready to silence Gary Anderson in his Scottish homeland

Barney fancied to outmax Bully Boy in Aberdeen

Michael van Gerwen thrashed Rob Cross 7-2 in Birmingham last week
Michael van Gerwen thrashed Rob Cross 7-2 in Birmingham last weekCredit: Lawrence Lustig

Week 14
Sky Sports Action, 7pm Thursday

Smith v Van Barneveld
Head-to-head: Van Barneveld leads 7-6

The Premier League regular season reaches a tame conclusion in Aberdeen with pretty much everything resolved, although professional pride ought to ensure Raymond van Barneveld is focused in the opener.

Barney can't make the semis whereas Michael Smith has already secured his spot in next week's playoffs, but there's the small matter of a whitewash to avenge in front of a crowd who will be distinctly pro the Dutchman.

The former champion had only five looks at a double when succumbing 7-0 to Smith in Liverpool in week nine but since that night Van Barneveld has been the more productive player of the two, picking up seven points to the Englishman's five.

Smith reached the semis of the European Grand Prix at the weekend – despite being laid low by a virus – and he'll know that if he can edge ahead, Barney's fragility could be a factor.

Most 180s should also be a close market given that Barney has hit 39 to Smith's 38 over the course of the campaign so the 15-8 about the Dutchman looks a bit of value.

Recommendation
R van Barneveld more 180s
1pt 15-8 Paddy Power


Whitlock v Cross
Cross leads 3-2

Another man out for revenge is Rob Cross, thrashed 7-1 by Simon Whitlock in week two and playing well enough to ensure he beats the Aussie this time round.

However, the world champ is a 4-9 shot which is too short. Whitlock was awful last week against a barely-any-better Peter Wright and still managed to chalk up four legs.

He can do the same to Cross, who has conceded at least four legs in each of his last eight matches.

Recommendation
R Cross to win 7-4 or 7-5
1pt 9-4 Betfred

Wright v Gurney
Wright leads 11-7

The bookies can't separate these two players, who drew 6-6 on Judgement Night.

Peter Wright has had a poor tournament for a player of his calibre with a couple of triumphs over Michael van Gerwen merely confirming what a frustrating arrowsmith he has turned into.

Daryl Gurney, unbeaten in his last five, is playing with far more self-belief and boasts the scoring power that Snakebite seems to be lacking at present.

Superchin has averaged 98 or better in eight of his last ten while Wright has done likewise in two of his last 11.

Wright has failed to register a single maximum in three of his last six starts, has hit just 27 in total while Gurney has banged in 63. The evens that the Northern Irishman wins the 180s match bet is hard to resist.

Recommendation
D Gurney more 180s
2pts Evs BoyleSports


Van Gerwen v Anderson
Van Gerwen leads 32-15

Twelve months ago Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson met in the last match of the regular season, coincidentally in Aberdeen, and the world number one won 7-4.

He silenced the home crowds then and he can do so again in the last match of the night.

Van Gerwen arrives in Scotland after winning the European Grand Prix at the weekend and has already beaten the Scot 7-3 earlier in the competition.

He's probably priced up about right around 4-7 and for that to happen he has to break. Throwing first with just a solitary break (presuming it's not leg 12), Van Gerwen would win 7-4 so the Dutchman on the handicap is the better bet.

Recommendation
M van Gerwen -2.5
2pts 5-6 bet365


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