Taylor Looks to Build on Momentum

Phil Taylor takes on Terry Jenkins on the third night of the Premier League looking to build on momentum gained from his victory over Mark Webster last Thursday.

The players arrive in Belfast for week three of the Premier League. At this early stage no fewer than six players are tied on two points from their opening two games with Gary Anderson at the top of the pile on four points and Simon Whitlock yet to get off the mark.

The proximity of the players in the table, although at an embryonic stage, is a testament to the high quality darts that we have already seen in this year’s tournament.

Jenkins has only ever beaten Taylor twice in a total of 28 meetings. However, one of those victories did come in the Premier League where he has also picked up three draws against the 15-time World Champion.

While Taylor was taking a short break from darts by sitting out the weekend’s Players Championship event in Derby, Jenkins was attempting to play his way back to form. The 47-year-old has audibly lauded his disappointing form in the Premier League so far this season but results at the weekend look to be a step in the right direction.

In Saturday’s tournament he beat Vincent van der Voort and the eventual winner of Sunday’s tournament John Part before being edged out in a final-leg decider by Adrian Lewis.

Taylor is quoted at odds of 4/9 to record a second consecutive win in the Premier League but will have his hands full with the dogged Jenkins who can be backed at 7/2.

James Wade, like Taylor, also got points on the board at the second time of asking by beating Lewis 8-6 last Thursday. A crushing defeat to Mark Webster in the opening week appeared to galvanise last year’s runner-up.

"I'm really pleased with that, because last week I felt embarrassed and like I didn't belong in the Premier League, and deep down I know I do belong here," said Wade after defeating Lewis.

He faces the pointless Australian, Simon Whitlock, this Thursday and is quoted at odds of 13/10 to pick up another two points.

Whitlock’s poor form of late has transcended both Premier League fixtures and floor tournaments. The Aussie lost to Scott Rand and Michael Mansell at the weekend and looks a shadow of the player who burst onto the scene just over 12 months ago.