Image:Wayne Mardle reveals his Premier League predictions for Night 14 in Manchester
Wayne Mardle is back with his crystal ball to cast his eye over a crucial night of Premier League Darts in Manchester and reveal his predictions.
A huge night of action is in store on the penultimate leg of this year's regular Premier League action. After Manchester, the curtain will come down following the first trip to Rotterdam and then Finals Night at the O2.
Michael van Gerwen claimed top spot last week and, along with a rejuvenated Phil Taylor, both men have secured a place in the top four. While their eyes are on the £25,000 bonus for finishing top, four other men have their eyes on a London spot.
Robert Thornton and Raymond van Barneveld are eliminated and Gary Anderson is all but there, leaving Adrian Lewis, James Wade and Peter Wright to duke it out and Wayne believes this week's fixtures will prove crucial......
James Wade v Peter Wright
Image:James Wade is tipped to come out on top in a crucial clash with Peter Wright (Pic: Michael Cooper)
I want to know why James Wade is the outsider, I don't get it. If you were to say to any darts fan, '"Who would you make the favourite out of James Wade and Peter Wright?" they would go, "I'm not sure, maybe James Wade."
James is more than likely to win this game The reason being it's really nip and tuck now and Peter Wright had a great week last week but he does seem to lose big matches. I think this is another big match that he loses.
I am going for James Wade on a price-based punt in a narrow win - Peter will have one dart at 36 off 116 and James will take out 94. (Sky Bet odds: James Wade to win 2/1)
Gary Anderson v Robert Thornton
Image:Gary Anderson needs just a point to secure a place at the O2 later this month
It won't be an easy game for Gary but I think he will relax to a point because he has almost qualified.
Robert is so in and out. You can back for him with any kind of confidence whatsoever. He has had a really tough campaign. He did well not to be eliminated, he got the draw of Michael van Gerwen.
Image:MIchael Van Gerwen is determined to keep hold of top spot
When will the bookies learn. 7-1, 7-1! It is ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, I won't be having a penny on van Barneveld this time.
Van Gerwen is playing to a standard that I am not sure Barney can cope with, I'm really not.
For Barney to win, he would have to play like the World Championship [Barney won 4-3 in December's World Championship quarter-final], everything would have to be perfect. Van Gerwen would have to leave doubles and he would have to take out 135, then he'd have to take out 121.
Image:Phil Taylor takes on Adrian Lewis in Manchester on Thursday night (Pic: Lawrence Lustig)
It's a big night for Adrian. He needs to avoid defeat. He has always said that he lacks the urgency, he is sometimes too patient in the Premier League.
He has had a good campaign and he is playing well. He did a real good job on Robert Thornton last week. He looked superb for the best part of six or seven legs.
Phil is playing a lot better than Robert Thornton and that is the problem for Adrian.
I see it being close and I think maybe it has come at a good time for Adrian. Phil is not at the top of the league and there is now a bit of pressure on Phil to get there.
I just think Phil has that little bit too much for Adrian, as usual every week, I'm going for a last leg thriller but Phil Taylor to win. (Sky Bet odds: Phil Taylor to win 7-4 is 13/2)
