Wayne Mardle's Premier League Darts predictions
'Hawaii 501' picks Barney, Klaasen, Anderson, Lewis and Wade to win this week
Thursday 2 March 2017 23:00, UK
Premier League Darts is coming to Exeter and Wayne Mardle picks his winners and losers...
The visit to the Westpoint Arena includes the repeat of the 2015 World Championship final between Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor, while Dave Chisnall is set to compete twice in the absence of the world No 1 Michael van Gerwen.
It promises to be a special night, so here's Mardle and his picks...
Dave Chisnall v Raymond van Barneveld
This is a game Chizzy cannot afford to lose because he's in trouble anyway. He's loitering at the foot of the table and he's got Barney this week, then he's got Gary Anderson, then Peter Wright, James Wade and Michael van Gerwen. We know there's not an easy draw, but as it's gone, he's got some tough ones to come before Judgement Night.
Week in, week out, Chisnall doesn't know how he's going to play. He's not in the kind of form to turn it around.
Prediction: Chisnall needs to win this, but Barney will do a job on him. (Sky Bet odds: Evens).
Jelle Klaasen v Kim Huybrechts
A lot of people think they're closely matched, but I don't. I'm not saying Jelle Klaasen is a composed character on the board, but when he's playing well, he's very, very good at running riot quickly. He's playing better, while Kim was distraught about drawing with Phil Taylor.
I've noticed that Kim can throw too quick when he's behind. He chases the game by speeding up and that's not going to help. I think it hurt him not winning last week.
Prediction: Klaasen will do a number on him and will inflict more pain on Huybrechts. (Sky Bet odds: 5/4).
Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor
I'm not one who is short of an opinion, but I do think Anderson will steamroller him. Phil hasn't been playing badly, but he hasn't been playing anywhere near his best.
When someone has played well against him, he seems to have no answer, and he's drawn a few games in the Premier League.
If Gary just continues to play the way he is, and he played brilliant at the weekend in a Tour Final against Peter Wright, with an average of 115, I can't see Taylor having any answer whatsoever.
Prediction: I think Gary will probably win this 7-3 with Taylor to lose his unbeaten tag. (Sky Bet odds: Anderson to win 7-3 is 13/2).
Adrian Lewis v Peter Wright
It was great to see Adrian play so well against Van Gerwen last week. He just lacked that little bit of confidence, which is why he couldn't get over the line. His set up play and composure was good and that's what makes champions. He kept control of his game under pressure and if he can do that, then I think he can get a win.
It's more likely that Peter Wright will be the more consistent and he will be hard to beat.
Prediction: This is at a push, but I'm going to keep the faith with Adrian Lewis. (Sky Bet odds: 6/4).
James Wade v Dave Chisnall
I'm going to have Dave to lose twice in a night. It's comes at a real bad time for him because he's struggling anyway, and playing twice in the night is not easy.
Wade will be fresh, although this is a big game for Wade as well because he can stabilise his position in the top four. Chisnall is struggling, and to play two of the best players, it will be even more of a struggle.
Prediction: It doesn't bode well for Dave. Wade will win this one and condemn Chisnall to his second loss of the night. (Sky Bet odds: 11/10).
Watch Premier League Darts on Thursday, from Westpoint Arena in Exeter, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm.
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