Mardle’s Berlin predictions

Premier League Darts is back on Thursday night, live on Sky Sports Action, featuring the headline clash between Max Hopp and Raymond van Barneveld. Wayne Mardle looks into his crystal ball…

Rob Cross takes on Gerwyn Price while James Wade is in action against Peter Wright while Premier League leader Michael van Gerwen faces Daryl Gurney. Michael Smith and Mensur Suljovic also take to the stage in front of a capacity crowd of 12,000.

Wayne runs the rule over five titanic tungsten contests, live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix from 7pm.

Gerwyn Price vs Rob Cross

There’s something about Cross that is making me think that he can maybe win the whole thing. He has got this relentless nature and he’s had these amazing averages of between 101 and 103 every week barring one. I see him winning this game.

Price was off for the first five legs against Michael van Gerwen last week – maybe it had something to do with the head to head record – he has now suffered 14 out of 14 losses against the Dutchman.

Rob Cross lost in the final of the UK Open to Nathan Aspinall

I would like to see Cross do more away from the Premier League stage. I seem to be finding out that he’s playing better on a more regular basis on the big stage whereas a couple of years ago it was both. He’s still playing well but he kind of needs to be contesting more semi-finals and finals.

Wayne’s score prediction: Cross to win 7-4

James Wade vs Peter Wright

Peter Wright got another draw against Daryl Gurney last week. He had a dart to win it so he’ll feel a little bit aggrieved about that. He seems to be playing a tad more consistently and he seems to have that ability back where if you hit a bad one then you’re thinking you’re in trouble against him.

I kind of want to go for a draw but I don’t want to sit on the fence. Wright will take out 121 in the last leg!

Mardle won’t sit on the fence

James Wade – 109 one week, 97 the next – but Mensur Suljovic did an excellent job on him last week.

I see this being a really tight contest. I kind of want to go for a draw but I don’t want to sit on the fence. Wright will take out 121 in the last leg!

Wayne’s score prediction: Wright to win 7-5

Michael van Gerwen vs Daryl Gurney

Daryl did really well to pinch a draw against Peter Wright last week with MVG playing probably the worst I’ve seen him for the first five legs. Van Gerwen kept flexing his arm and he clearly wasn’t happy, but being the true champion he is, he fought back and ended up playing really well the last four or five legs. He can go from zero to hero in a matter of a few visits.

Van Gerwen is always so short to win. To beat Michael van Gerwen you have to play really well and you have to play really well at the right time. When he lost to James Wade, Wade was doing the things when he had to do them. He was taking opportunities when they were coming around and that’s what you have got to do.

Wayne’s score prediction: Van Gerwen to win 7-4

Michael Smith vs Mensur Suljovic

Michael Smith always looked the better player against Nathan Aspinall last week in Nottingham. I thought he did alright, while Mensur was great against James Wade.

Smith is favourite for this game but I think this will be tight. I’m going to go for a draw because a draw is not really expected and both these players have this game that when they’re off they’re not that bad. I think they’ve got real solid off games and I think that makes it hard to pick a winner from these two.

Wayne’s score prediction: Draw 6-6

Max Hopp vs Raymond van Barneveld

I have been looking at the stats as much as you possibly can and I still have absolutely no idea. Barney got to a Players Championship final at the weekend and that will make him feel a hell of a lot better and it will give him a confidence boost, but he still needs to get a win in this Premier League. He still wants to prove that he can mix it on the big stage with the big boys.

Raymond is more likely to pull off a big win, but I’m not going with that because I don’t know!

Mardle can’t decide on the last game of the night

Max Hopp is a decent draw for Barney, but it’s also a decent draw for Max Hopp so I don’t see this being a draw or a close contest. I actually envisage one of them winning rather handsomely but I have no idea which one.

Raymond is more likely to pull off a big win, but I’m not going with that because I don’t know!

Wayne’s score prediction: 7-3 either way

Wayne Mardle was speaking to Sky Sports’ Raz Mirza. The Premier League heads to the Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin on Thursday, March 21. You can also stay up to date with all the action by following us @SkySportsDarts and get all the latest news, previews and interviews www.skysports.com/darts