Wayne Mardle's Premier League Darts predictions
Friday 10 March 2017 20:59, UK
Wayne Mardle is feeling under the weather this week, but Thursday's arrows are guaranteed to cheer him up. Here's what he expects to happen...
Adrian Lewis v Phil Taylor
We know Phil isn't getting better, and mentally he's softer. He's enjoying it more.
Everyone's standards are closer to Phil's than ever before, and Adrian has being doing alright. There have been draws aplenty, but this is a tough one to call. Adrian is definitely playing slightly better.
Prediction: If someone wins it will be 7-5, but I'll sit on the fence and call a draw. (Sky Bet Odds: 7/2)
Live Premier League Darts
James Wade v Peter Wright
I don't know if anyone else is seeing what I see, but James isn't throwing correctly at the moment. The darts are going in flat, usually they stand up to attention. When the darts go in at the wrong angle, you can lose confidence. He's missing double 10, high and low, which is unheard of. He's not holding his darts right, or releasing them right.
Peter has found the right darts, in his draw or his office somewhere. He'll just carry on, probably average 104.
Prediction: Peter will beat James 7-4. (Sky Bet Odds: 6/1 on a 7-4 scoreline in favour of Wright)
Kim Huybrechts v Michael van Gerwen
There's no good time to play Michael, but this is better than most. But an 80 percent Van Gerwen is better than a 100 percent Huybrechts.
When Kim is on his game, we know he can beat Michael. Kim has beaten Michael before, hitting nine-darters, and he is a fabulous player.
For me, Kim has to get his rhythm right. When he does, he's a match for anyone - but Michael isn't 'anyone', he's better than that.
Prediction: Michael won't be 100 percent but he'll still be too good. Kim's under a lot of pressure not to get eliminated. (Sky Bet Odds: Van Gerwen to win 7-4 or 7-5 is 6/1)
Jelle Klaasen v Raymond van Barneveld
I am a Barney fan, a Barney lover, that's not news. There's something about how the man can play dreadfully then turn it on. He could have beaten Peter Wright at the weekend.
Klaasen, when he's on, is electrifying but it doesn't last that long. He's got to make it last the duration of a match, which we know Barney can do.
Klaasen will go out in 10 or 11 darts, then lose two or three legs where Barney goes out in 13 or 14. That's what Barney does.
Prediction: Barney will get the better of Klaasen, he'll grind him down. Barney's consistency will be better. (Sky Bet Odds: 5/6)
Dave Chisnall v Gary Anderson
We know what they can do, they're both phenomenal. But if you're going on day-by-day ability, Gary is better.
Gary has been the No 1 or No 2 player in the world for the past couple of years and there's an argument that he's the only one who can match Van Gerwen. If that's the argument, you've got to fancy him to beat Chisnall.
Prediction: Gary is more consistent, and better than Dave even when Dave's at his best. I fancy Gary to win. (Sky Bet Odds: 4/7)
Watch Premier League Darts tonight, from The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, live on Sky Sports 3 HD from 7pm. Or watch without a contract, with a Day Pass from NOW TV.
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