Wayne Mardle: The Power to turn back on his Premier League challenge

21Mar 2013

Betfair

Week seven of the Premier League comes from the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff. Betfair Ambassador Wayne Mardle tells us who will be roaring to success on Thursday night...

Andy Hamilton v Simon Whitlock

This promises to be an extremely tight affair that in all likelihood will end up in a draw. Both are reliable, both steady, and both don't give up many chances too often. I just can't split them and I've never been so certain of a game going to the final leg.

Recommended Bet: Back The Draw

Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen

Michael has added something to his game that Gary has lost, namely consistency. Based on the fact that MVG is more likely to perform well then I think he will win.

Gary showed last week when playing Adrian Lewis that the 2011 champion can perform under the harshest of pressures. In the last leg - one that he had to win - he hit an incredible 10-darter to gain a draw. That's how good the Scot can be on his day.

In fact, this game is all about Anderson, if he plays well he's going to give MVG massive problems, but if he's off just a little bit then the young Dutchman will put him to the sword.

Recommended Bet: Back Michael van Gerwen to win

Robert Thornton v Adrian Lewis

Robert is on fire, while the Lewis flame is just about still flickering.

Lewis had a horrible start to this year's Premier League campaign but you just felt that with his ability the points would come. And they have, he looked fluent last week in drawing with Anderson, the performance wasn't great but a point was well earned.

Thornton is having a ball, playing the best darts of his career. He won a tour event on Sunday, his fifth since joining the PDC in 2008. He's proving a tough cookie and is a 100% trier, but like Anderson this game is all about Adrian because if he plays well he wins.

Recommended Bet: Back Adrian Lewis to win

Wes Newton v Phil Taylor

Taylor got well and truly battered last week by Hamilotn, making it two defeats in a row in the Premier League, something that's not happened since 2008. Phil is using new darts and in my opinion he's not as reliable on doubles as he was with his old faithfuls.

Wes will struggle to beat The Power as his double hitting has not been up to the standard we are used to seeing from him. The pressure is on Wes not to got eliminated after week nine, losing again may be a step too far in the wrong direction.

Recommended Bet: Back Taylor to win 7-4

James Wade v Raymond van Barneveld

Both players are at the top of their form so this game is likely to come down to one moment of brilliance.

Wade lost last week to Whitlock but there was no shame in that as the big Aussie hit three ton-plus finishes. In previous weeks Wade has been brilliant and there were no signs that I saw that his form had dropped last week.

Barney is playing like a man who knows he has what it takes to win, he'll average around a ton again, that's his modus operandai.

Picking a result in this one is a tough call so I'm wimping out.

Recommended Bet: Van Barneveld to average Over 97.5