Wayne Mardle's Premier League Darts predictions ahead of Belfast
The Premier League pays a second visit across the Irish Sea
Friday 21 April 2017 15:45, UK
Wayne Mardle looks into his crystal ball and picks out the winners and losers as the Premier League heads to Belfast on Thursday night.
Phil Taylor and Dave Chisnall double up in Belfast as they clash in the last match of the night, with the St Helens man earlier taking on Adrian Lewis and the Stoke legend meeting Gary Anderson.
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Peter Wright will face James Wade and Michael van Gerwen meets Raymond van Barneveld in an all-Dutch battle.
But who does Mardle think will be banging in the big numbers this week?
Dave Chisnall v Adrian Lewis
These two players are progressing. Their games are getting better with Lewis now taking his opportunities, which he wasn't doing before, and Chizzy looks a little less flustered and a little more capable.
I don't get how Dave Chisnall didn't win against Gary Anderson last week in Liverpool. He's got his composure back but then he'll go missing - he lacks belief when it comes to winning big games.
Prediction: Aidy will win just because I think he's taking his chances better than Dave. (Sky Bet Odds: Lewis to win 7-5 is 9/2)
Phil Taylor v Gary Anderson
Big night for Phil - he's playing twice. I don't think he gets anything from Gary because he's too good for him right now and probably will be for the rest of Taylor's career.
Anderson has had 13 ton-plus finishes - more than anyone. That tells me that he's never out of a leg and I just think his scoring is phenomenal.
Prediction: I think Gary gets the better of him, but I'm not going for a score because it's too difficult. (Sky Bet Odds: Anderson to win is 8/11)
Peter Wright v James Wade
Wade isn't playing well - I keep saying it and I keep being proved right. How he beat Phil Taylor last week, I don't know. Certainly no good asking Phil and no good asking James.
James plays to anywhere between a 90 and 94 average and somehow gives better players untold problems. I don't know how he does it. He's becoming more of a spoiler than anyone and he can still qualify for The O2.
Prediction: The odds suggest Peter will win this handsomely, but I don't think that he'll run away with it. (Sky Bet Odds: Wright to win 7-5 is 7/1)
Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
Barney was the last player to beat him in the Premier League when they met in Manchester, but I say it every week - I won't back against Van Gerwen.
I can't see how you can think that he's going to get beat by anyone. The only people who can compete with him is Adrian Lewis when he's really on and Gary Anderson on a daily basis.
Barney is in with a real shout of making it through to the play-offs, but it's possible he could fall behind Lewis and Taylor, so he's still got work to do.
Prediction: I see Michael winning but Barney will put up a hell of a fight like he normally does. (Sky Bet Odds: Van Gerwen to win 7-4 is 7/2)
Dave Chisnall v Phil Taylor
Phil isn't the fighter that he once was. Yes, he's got the ability, we all know that, but I just like the way Chizzy is going about his business.
Chisnall couldn't care less if he's got a chance or no chance - he's just playing his darts.
Dave for me, after taking a point off Gary Anderson last week, will upset Taylor in this final match of the night.
Prediction: This is going to surprise a few, but I'm going for a Chizzy win here. (Sky Bet Odds: Chisnall to win is 2/1)
Watch Premier League Darts on Thursday, from the SSE Arena in Belfast, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
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