Premier League Darts 2015 participants and venues

There are two other former Premier League champions in Lewis (8/1) and Wade (16/1), with the latter returning after missing out last year. This duo were knocked out early in the World Championship, and are unlikely to make the play-offs here at London’s O2.

Ally Pally runner-up in 2014, Wright (25/1), and Grand Slam of Darts finalist Chisnall (40/1) also return for the second year running, but neither should cause major problems in the Premier League.

Wildcards have been handed out to two debutants this year as well in 2014 BDO world champion Bunting (14/1) and Grand Slam semi-finalist Huybrechts of Belgium (40/1).

St Helens’ Bunting has been a revelation since crossing over to the PDC, and put in a good showing at the PDC World Championship, knocking out Wade before taking Van Barneveld all the way in the quarters but just dropping short.

On being awarded a Premier League place, Bunting said “I do belong with the big names,” before adding: “It’s such a nice feeling within 11 months to have come over to the PDC and be in the Premier League, it’s just fantastic really. It’s still not sunk in, but I’m very happy to be in it and I’m looking forward to several of the big clashes.

PDC chairman Hearn, meanwhile, said: “The competition for places in the Premier League Darts has been greater than ever this year, and there was a huge amount of deliberation over a host of players for selection.”

Coral’s tip: Back a semi-final line-up of Van Gerwen, Taylor (both odds-on at 1/4 to finish in the top four), Anderson (1/2) and Bunting (7/4), with The Flying Scotsman to go all the way.

Premier League venues:
February 5th, First Direct Arena, Leeds
February 12th, BIC, Bournemouth
February 19th, Echo Arena, Liverpool
February 26th, Odyssey Arena, Belfast
March 5th, Westpoint Arena, Exeter
March 12th, Capital FM Arena, Nottingham
March 19th, The Hydro, Glasgow
March 26th, 3Arena, Dublin
April 2nd, The Manchester Arena
April 9th, Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
April 16th, GE Oil and Gas Arena, Aberdeen
April 23th, Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
April 30th, The Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham
May 7th, Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
May 14th, The Brighton Centre
May 21th, The O2, London (semis and final)