Wayne Mardle previews Thursday's Premier League action in Manchester

The Premier League roadshow rolls into Manchester on Thursday night and Wayne Mardle sees elimination coming a week early for a couple of contenders.

Jelle Klaasen and Kim Huybrechts find themselves in the relegation zone some three points adrift of safety, but with closest rival Dave Chisnall not in action, the pair have the chance to keep their hopes alive - but they have to take at least a point.

Chizzy misses out as world champion Michael van Gerwen plays twice in Manchester and the world number one can return to the top of the table with a couple of victories.

Phil Taylor plays UK Open champion and current table topper Peter Wright, while Adrian Lewis, James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld complete the list of those on duty.

Wayne gazes into his crystal ball………..

Michael van Gerwen v James Wade

I've been looking at the stats as I do love a stat and while Michael hasn't had trouble beating James, he has won the last six, his performances have not been very good and he hasn't averaged more than 100 in any of those matches which is unusual for someone who normally averages 106/107.

While I expect Michael to win, the stats suggest it will probably be 7-4 or 7-5 with James making life difficult the way he does.

When he is off he still has the ability to be so difficult to beat and that is such a good trait - no one else has had it over the years apart from Phil but I expect Michael to pick up the two points. Verdict: Van Gerwen

Kim Huybrechts v Gary Anderson

If Kim doesn't pick up anything then he will be eliminated - it's been horrible for him because he has played really well but he has blown chance after chance and should have won at least two games.

He had chances to maybe beat Phil but certainly a draw. He's missed doubles and they seem to be in the crucial legs and he hasn't taken the opportunities he has created. He has played well and if he can come out of the Premier League and maintain that form he can have a really decent year.

But it is now at the stage where he has to do it or be eliminated, but I cannot see him getting anything out of Gary.

Gary and Michael are the two that keep performing but Gary has had a trait of late where he is losing despite playing well and he did it again last week where he averaged 102.5 and lost. But I think he averages a ton here and wins. Verdict: Anderson

Peter Wright v Phil Taylor

Snakebite is playing well and coming off that UK Open win a few weeks ago. He hasn't played great since but he has done enough to keep winning.

He is at the top of the tree now, he might not be by the end of the night as MVG plays twice but Peter Wright is looking like one of those that you have to play very well to beat.

I don't think he will go off the boil like he did a few years ago when he led after seven weeks and didn't even make the play-offs.

He is better than that now and I don't think the others are as good - including Phil Taylor - and I think it's concerning times for Phil. He is not playing well and he is not reacting well to defeats.

Phil keeps reacting when sometimes there is no need to react. I would love to see Phil go out without any more worries. I want him to go out on a high saying I really enjoyed my last year and everything I did in that last year was fun, but at the moment Phil is not having fun and that is because he is not winning. Verdict: Wright

Jelle Klaasen v Adrian Lewis

Aidy is playing better and I spoke to him last week - he is feeling a lot better about his game. He changed his points about four or five weeks ago and has hardly lost a match since.

He looks more comfortable and more settled on the oche and looking like he believes in himself and his immense talent again. The players that win and reach finals, semi-finals on a regular basis, it comes easy to them

Like Kim Huybrechts I feel sorry for Jelle because he has played well and blown the opportunities and I don't think it's down to bottle.

When you are not used to winning on the big stage, and Kim and Jelle aren't and until recently Peter Wright wasn't, it is tough to compete in the Premier League, I know because I have done it.

The Premier League wasn't good for Jelle last time and I think he may have taken that into this year because it's like a mirror image losing crucial legs but more importantly his wrist injury means he cannot play to the level he wants to. Verdict: Lewis.

Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen

I think this will be superb I really do.

There have been occasions over the last few years when the last game, when someone has played twice, has been a bit dull and it's seemed like one game too many.

But Michael is not the norm, his standard is better than anyone's - possibly that we've event seen - but what I like about this match is that Barney brings out the best in Van Gerwen and vice versa.

The match in the World Champs was outrageous, 109 for Barney over eight sets and he still got beat - that changed what we know about the game of darts, that it's possible to hit 140 after 140 and miss the odd double and still lose!

The last eight times they have played Van Gerwen has averaged over 103, so I don't see that trend being bucked. Barney will play well but lose in a last-leg thriller. Verdict: Van Gerwen

Watch the latest leg of Premier League Darts on Thursday, from the Manchester Arena, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract - on NOW TV.