DARTS: PREMIER LEAGUE TIPS

ROBIN HOOD loved to rob the rich and pay the poor and you can do the same tonight by cashing in our darts tips.

Rodney Trotter has cast his eyes over the latest round of the Premier League in Nottingham – and let's hope we're not branding him a plonker after the last double's been hit. The action starts at 7.10pm.

James Wade v Robert Thornton

Thornton has been the surprise package of the season. We always knew he was a great player but the Scot has shown he is not frightened of the big Premier League crowds.

We thought he might be overawed but has played some solid games. A couple of years ago when he had pneumonia he had a bit of a wake-up call and nowadays does things right and has established himself as a great pro so can do well in all of this year's tournaments if he continues in this form.

However, if Wade comes out with the same form he's shown in the last two weeks he can win. A lot will depend on Wade's motivation though. He was motivated against Lewis and Taylor but maybe can't get motivated in the same way against Thornton because he's such a nice guy? That said I can't see him losing.

Rodney roars: WADE WIN (13-10, Coral)

Raymond van Barneveld v Andy Hamilton

Barney beat a strong field to win in the Isle of Wight last Friday night and he's playing really well right now. He looked good against Simon Whitlock last week and I expect him to beat Andy in Nottingham.

As is always said The Hammer is a solid player but that won't be enough to beat the Dutchman. Van Barneveld is great value to win, especially when you consider he's in the best form he's been in for a few years and in a good mood. Hamilton will have to play out of his skin to beat him.

Rodney roars: VAN BARNEVELD WIN (4-6, BetVictor)

Adrian Lewis v Michael van Gerwen

Only a year ago you would probably be looking at Lewis as the favourite to win but the bookies have got Van Gerwen massively odds on here – and if you look at the form book that is totally justified.

He goes on runs of winning four or five legs on the trot which is the sort of thing Lewis used to do and the Englishman will need to turn up big time and find a brilliant game if he is to have any success here.

The problem for Lewis seems to be concentration. Sometimes he starts well and something happens in the game – a couple of missed doubles or whatever – that totally ruins his concentration. He needs to get out of that and find some form and I've got to go for a Van Gerwen win. People have said this could be 7-0 but Aidy will put up a better fight than that but I can't see him winning on his current form – or escaping relegation.

Rodney roars: VAN GERWEN WIN (4-6, William Hill)

Phil Taylor v Gary Anderson

The way things are going, this seems to be another obvious call. Taylor rarely lets people off the hook but Anderson does. Last week was a strange night because Ando had a 100 per cent record on doubles (two out of two) which is unbelievable for him – but didn't score as well as he normally does. It's rare to see him fail to outscore his opponent.

The Power is massively odds-on with the bookmakers and that's justified. He failed to close the game out against Wade last week but I don't see that happening again.

Rodney roars: TAYLOR WIN (4-11, Blue Square)

Wes Newton v Simon Whitlock

Newton played well last week in his victory over an out-of-sorts Lewis which was important for his hopes of avoiding relegation. Whitlock was practising with him before the game and told me Newton was fired up and was going to win.

I wasn't so sure but he was right! Whitlock will be too strong for him but that won't be a disaster if Anderson and Lewis both lose. I don't think it's do-or-die for Newton just yet. However, I think a treble of Whitlock, Barney and Van Gerwen looks like a great bet.

Rodney roars: WHITLOCK WIN (10-11, Stan James)

Top Treble

Whitlock, Van Gerwen, Van Barneveld

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