Friday 29 December 2017 19:14, UK
Raymond van Barneveld must force Michael van Gerwen to "panic" with more red-hot scoring if he is going to win their World Championship quarter-final, says Sky Sports expert Wayne Mardle.
'Barney' has set up another showdown with the defending champion in Friday's evening session as he attempts to avenge his defeat to Van Gerwen in last year's semi-finals at Alexandra Palace.
A record average of 114.05 from Van Gerwen was simply too hot for Van Barneveld, despite ending with a 109 average himself, and Mardle believes the veteran needs to produce similar high standards if he is going to topple his fellow Dutchman.
You've got to put Michael under pressure, make him panic, make him think.
"You get the feeling that for Raymond to win, he's going to have to play like he did last year when he lost with a 109 average," said Mardle.
"He's got to play to well over a ton average. I know we go on about averages, but it's just a guide.
"You're not going to beat Michael van Gerwen by giving him 15 darts in a leg that's his own. You're not going to break him. You've got to put Michael under pressure, make him panic, make him think."
Van Barneveld ousted Van Gerwen from the 2016 tournament in the last 16 and has shown flashes of his best form in victories over Vincent van der Voort and Richard North.
But Mardle believes we could see a backlash from Van Gerwen after he overcame a scare in Wednesday's win over Gerwyn Price.
"He [Van Barneveld] should go in with confidence, he should feel that he can do a job, which should produce an open game," said Mardle.
"It should produce two world class world champions going at it, that's what we want to see.
"It's going to be difficult for Raymond, especially because Michael has that gear. We know Raymond does, but Michael has a higher gear.
"Michael has set these standards in the worlds that no one else has matched."
The 2018 World Championship from Alexandra Palace continues with a mouthwatering double session of quarter-final action on Friday on Sky Sports Darts, coverage of the afternoon's play gets underway from 12.30pm with the evening underway at 7pm
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