Wayne Mardle: Barney the bet as the Premier League flies into action

7Feb 2013

Betfair

The Premier League is back and who better than Wayne Mardle to lead us through the betting jungle as the world's best darts players prepare for another Premier League season? The great man begins his weekly tipping column with a look at Thursday night's action in Belfast...

Andy Hamilton v Robert Thornton

The Hammer loves the Premier League, reaching the semi-final last year on debut.

Andy will be very tough to beat, his tidy and consistent style of play means he does everything very well and he won't hit many bad shots.

Robert is currently struggling for form, and let me tell you, and this league is not the place to be if you can't find you're a-game.

On this data alone I have to go with the hammer.

James Wade v Wes Newton

James can beat anyone when on form, but at the moment he's not producing his best often enough and if he's slightly off Wes will win. Newton deserves his wild card entry into this year's PL, and I think he can do some damage this year starting with a defeat of Wade.

Raymond Van Barneveld v Gary Anderson

This is my banker bet on Thursday, as a rejuvenated Barney is a tournament winner in waiting. He is the danger to Phil Taylor's crown in my opinion. Gary is a former PL champ but he's not shown the same form in the last year and the Dutchman is a confident selection.

Simon Whitlock v Adrian Lewis

Adrian is a bit tricky to get right and could be this year's spoiler - back him and he'll lose, lay him and he'll win!

Unless Adrian comes out firing I think Whitlock will win so we'll be opposing him on Thursday.

Phil Taylor v Michael Van Gerwen

What a game this could be - a World championship re-run.

This competition is TAYLOR-made for Phil and he will win the league phase in my opinion because his standard of play week-in, week-out is phenomenal.

You won't see me going against MVG very often but this is one game where I will take him on.

Recommended Bets

Andy Hamilton to bt Robert Thornton

Wes Newton to bt James Wade

Raymond Van Barneveld to bt Gary Anderson

Simon Whitlock to bt Adrian Lewis