Premier League Rotterdam: Talking Points

Premier League (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

FOLLOWING the Unibet Premier League's double-header at Rotterdam Ahoy, we look at five key talking points going into the season's final month.

Rotterdam staged a double-header to make up for the league night which was lost due to the snow in Exeter in March - and for a third year the sold-out Ahoy crowd created an incredible atmosphere.

A significant two nights could also shape the remainder of the Premier League season, going into the final league nights in Manchester, Birmingham and Aberdeen ahead of May's Play-Offs at The O2.

* BARNEY'S BIRTHDAY BONANZA *

Premier League (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Raymond van Barneveld's popularity in the Netherlands has never been in question, but the five-time World Champion enjoyed an unforgettable double-header in Rotterdam ahead of his 51st birthday on Friday.

He defeated Simon Whitlock 7-3 on Wednesday to delight the sold-out orange faithful, who cheered his victory to the rafters and gave their hero a remarkable reception as he addressed the crowd in Dutch afterwards.

Van Barneveld then won the Dutch derby with Michael van Gerwen 7-5 to complete an incredible double in Rotterdam.

Having lost twice in Sheffield on Night Ten, Van Barneveld's double keeps alive his chances of claiming a Play-Off place, and he could well be inspired by the Dutch double.

* ANDERSON'S TREBLE CONTINUES TITLE PUSH *

Premier League (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Three wins for Gary Anderson moved him up to second in the league table, on 17 points.

However, it was also the manner of the victories which impressed as the two-time Premier League champion posted the highest average of the season to date, 110.83, in Wednesday's win over Michael Smith before posting a 109.73 average in Thursday's defeat of Daryl Gurney.

He also took out a 170 checkout and missed double 12 for a nine-darter amongst a memorable two nights in Rotterdam.

Anderson has now won six of his last seven matches, and having already claimed the UK Open title this year is setting his sights on a third Premier League triumph on May 17.

* THE BATTLE TO FINISH TOP *

Premier League (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

Back-to-back defeats for Michael van Gerwen, and the points picked up by his top-four rivals, leave the reiging champion only one point clear of Gary Anderson.

The Dutchman does, though, have a game in hand on Anderson and Rob Cross as he goes into next week's double-header in Manchester, and remains the favourite to top the league table for a sixth straight season.

* THE BATTLE FOR PLAY-OFF PLACES *

Unibet Premier League

Fourth-placed Michael Smith (16 points) now sits three points clear of Daryl Gurney (13), with Raymond van Barneveld a further point adrift on 12, Peter Wright on 11 and Simon Whitlock on ten.

Smith also has a game in hand on the four players below the Play-Off places as he bids to finish in the top four for the first time.

His season could hinge on his double-header in Manchester on Thursday, where he meets Wright and Van Gerwen.

* NINE-DART MAGIC *

Gary Anderson came within the width of a wire of landing a nine-dart finish in leg eight of Wednesday's win over Rob Cross.

The Scot also opened Thursday's tie with Daryl Gurney with six perfect darts, while the Northern Irish ace later set up a nine-darter attempt with two 180s in his clash with Simon Whitlock.

Will we see a nine-dart finish in the remainder of the season? Time will tell...

2018 Unibet Premier League
Night 13 - April 26
The Manchester Arena

Peter Wright v Michael Smith
Daryl Gurney v Michael van Gerwen
Simon Whitlock v Gary Anderson
Raymond van Barneveld v Rob Cross
Michael Smith v Michael van Gerwen
Tickets via www.eventim.co.uk and 0844 847 8000