Wayne Mardle: Improving Whitlock to beat Wade in crucial game

2May 2013

Betfair

It's week 13 in the Premier League Darts and we're back in Liverpool. The atmosphere will be electric, the darts will be scintillating, now all you need is some recommended bets. Step forward Wayne Mardle...

Michael Van Gerwen v Andy Hamilton

Hamilton has looked spent the last few weeks, and he's now at the stage where he must win. But there are no easy games in the Premier League, and at the moment there are none tougher than facing Van Gerwen, the Dutchman is throwing some sensational darts at present.

True, he had an off night last week when losing to an inspired Simon Whitlock but Michael only needs a points to guarantee a spot in the play-offs; he'll get two points tonight.

Recommended Bet

Back Van Gerwen to win 7-2 @ 5.25

James Wade v Simon Whitlock

Since the threat of relegation disappeared Whitlock has been throwing much better and is beginning to look back to his best form. The Aussie is a very steady sort, a bit like his opponent here James Wade, but whereas Simon is getting better there are signs that James has gone off the boil slightly.

This game is there for the taking then for Whitlock, and the fact that he must win it to keep his play-off hopes alive has me believing he'll go out and do just that.

Recommended Bet

Back Whitlock to win @ 2.7

Robert Thornton v Phil Taylor

Robert gave Phil a hiding last time they met but since then the Scotsman, whilst winning, his performances have not been as good as he'd want. Taylor on the other hand has just hit form, winning twice last week to put himself back in the top four.

There isn't much to say about this game if I'm being honest as we know what we'll get with Robert; he's a very solid performer who always gives it his best. But if The Power can reproduce the form he's shown in recent weeks then he'll win, and probably quite comfortably too.

Recommended Bet

Back Taylor to win 7-3 @ 5.0

Raymond Van Barneveld v Adrian Lewis

It's been a very disappointing league campaign for Lewis, and that was confirmed last week with the fact that he now cannot make the playoffs. Some say it's pressure off and Adrian will relax and play well but I don't think so, it's so hard playing with no intensity, and the truth is he's been a shadow of the player that won back- to-back world titles.

Barney battered Wade last week and he's simply playing too well at the moment to let Lewis in. We'd all love Adrian to throw brilliant darts but there's no sign that he will, and with that being the case then there's only one winner in this one for me.

Recommended Bet

Back Van Barneveld to win @ 1.44

James Wade v Andy Hamilton

Hamilton struggled massively when playing two matches a few weeks back, and bear in mind that he could also be out of contention for a play-off place come this match should he lose earlier in the evening to Van Gerwen.

Wade might also have a loss to his name on the night, but the difference here is that James will still have a play-off place in sight, which he can nail down with a win.

Recommended Bets

Back Wade to win @ 1.53

Back Hamilton Under 94.5 Average