Wayne Mardle: Put your trust in the big three in Robin Hood land

7Mar 2013

Betfair

The Premier League moves to Nottingham on Thursday and Betfair Ambassador Wayne Mardle envisages easy victories for the big three - Barney, MVG, and The Power...

James Wade v Robert Thornton

It's official, James Wade is back to form. Two weeks ago he demolished Adrian Lewis, and last week he ground out a draw with Phil Taylor, averaging 102 in the process, showing a gritty determination to win the last two legs.

Wade is a tough nut to crack when in the mood and I think he's playing Robert Thornton at just the right time. Robert played his best game ever last week when beating Gary Anderson, and recording a Premier League-high average for this season of around 109. To follow that up would be a massive ask.

Recommended Bet

Back Wade to win @ 2.1

Raymond van Barneveld v Andy Hamilton

Barney cruised to a win against Simon Whitlock last week, that demonstrated to me that the big Dutchman will take some stopping not to reach the play-offs in May. It seems that compatriot Michael van Gerwen's brilliance is bringing the best of Barney, and that can only be good for the game.

Hamilton is a true fighter, always value for money if you've punted on him but I wouldn't be placing to much money on him to win this match, Barney is playing with confidence right now and should record a victory.

Recommended Bet

Back Van Barneveld to win @ 1.66

Adrian Lewis v Michael van Gerwen

Adrian Lewis hasn't played well in the Premier League so far and why should that change against the man of the moment, the man winning tour events week in week out, the man who's risen 29 places in the rankings to number three in the world in just nine months?

Lewis can really run riot when on his game, but to win this match he will have to be at his incredible best. And given his performance last week against Wes Newton, where he looked a shadow of the player that won back-to-back world titles, his incredible best looks a long way away.

MVG doesn't seem to play bad these days, in fact he keeps on getting better and looking more comfortable on the big stage, and with all the pressure on Adrian I think Michael will win this with something in hand.

Recommended Bet

Back Van Gerwen to win @ 1.4

Phil Taylor v Gary Anderson

Phil Taylor will play well, because that's just what he does. And while Gary Anderson can beat anyone on his day, he's not running on all of his many engines at the moment. Yet last week the big Scot looked to be in for a good week on his doubles - he hit two out of two, but unfortunately they were the only chances he got given against a brilliant Robert Thornton.

If Anderson fails to score well he could be given a lesson by the Power. Taylor hasn't missed many doubles and I think this could be a rout.

Wes Newton v Simon Whitlock

Wes Newton go his first win last week when beating Adrian Lewis in a poor game but I think he'll start to settle down now.

Playing against Simon Whitlock will be a completely different game, the Aussie will not give Newton the chances Lewis did. Whitlock has also been in decent form the last two weeks, he's just been unfortunate to run into Taylor and Barney close to their best.

For Wes to win this he will have to rely on Simon being slightly off, and given recent form I'm not convinced that will be the case.

Recommended Bet

Back Whitlock to win at around 1.9