champion Rikard Karlberg of Sweden led local favorite Francesco Molina

Playing two games in one night has handed Raymond van Barneveld a final lifeline to stay alive in the Premier League, Wayne Mardle believes. The maverick Dutchman is languishing in seventh in the eight-man table, six points off the pace for a play-off berth. But two games on Thursday in Belfast, live on Sky Sports, could yield four points and put Barney back in the hunt.Does Mardle back Barney? Heres his predictions... Robert Thornton v Peter WrightI loved the way Robert played last week. We thought hed be more relaxed after avoiding elimination and it proved the case against Michael van Gerwen. Peter Wright displays his sharp-shooting with a 161 checkout Thornton isnt going to get beaten 7-0 anymore, hes had a couple of those earlier this season but hes far too good for that.I think hell play well again but Wright is a better player. Wright has been putting himself in some really good positions without getting as many points as he should. Sky Live: PL Darts Everything you need to know about arrows in Belfast Prediction: I think Wright wins but, again, Thornton will be a tough nut to crack. Im going for 7-5 to Wright. (Wright to win 7-5 is 9/2 with Sky Bet)Raymond van Barneveld v Phil TaylorThis is a very important night for Raymond because, if he can nick four points, hes back in the mix. Hes got a lifeline. If he doesnt get all four points, hes out of it. He just cant afford to lose one of them because other players are picking up points. Draws are no good to Raymond. A classic 2007 Premier League clash between Taylor and Barney Phil is playing miles better than Raymond, although - I say this every week - we dont know what Barney will do and he doesnt know himself. He played brilliantly against Van Gerwen but poorly the next.Last week, Phil played James Wade and it was a poor game. But, there wasnt any point where it appeared like Wade had a chance of winning. Phil just kept him at arms length.Youd still go and see Pete Sampras v Andre Agassi, wouldnt you? I still want to see Barney v Phil, I want to watch a cracker.Prediction: Barney will play well but Phil will win, because Phil keeps finding a way to win. Hes confident and has an ability to read his opponent. (Taylor to win and score more 180s than van Barneveld is 2/1 with Sky Bet).James Wade v Adrian LewisThis is a massive game because only one of them, maximum, can make the play-offs. They cant lose to each other, then they need to beat Anderson. This is a must-not-lose match for both of them. Adrian Lewis edged a neck-and-neck leg to beat James Wade earlier this season Adrian has found it tough, he wasnt well last week and pulled out of an event at the weekend. I know he wasnt well over the weekend. Sometimes that doesnt matter but sometimes it does.This is close to call so youve got to go with the information that youve collated.Prediction: If I was going to have a punt, which Im not, then Wade is a good bet (Wade to win is a 15/8 chance with a narrow 7-4 win a tasty 7/1).Michael van Gerwen v Gary AndersonAnderson isnt guaranteed a play-off place yet - I said earlier this year that theres not four players better than Anderson. Well, last year there werent four players better than Taylor but he didnt make the play-offs, so my theory is out the window!Michael is a certainty for the play-offs - hes too good, and hes not losing games. Even when he doesnt win, he has chances to win. Hes looking anything but dodgy. Michael van Gerwen beat Gary Anderson in Newcastle this season I just cant read Anderson but Ill never back against him because hes too capable. Youve got to feel that Michael has the upper hand. Hes playing better and hes the odds-on favourite for a reason, because of his recent form.But Gary finds a way against Michael, and that sticks in the back of my head. Like when Barney plays Van Gerwen, its horses for courses. Certain players love playing others, and I think Gary loves playing Michael.Prediction: I think Van Gerwen will win 7-5 in a last-leg thriller. (Van Gerwen to win 7-5 is 7/1 with Sky Bet)Raymond van Barneveld v Robert ThorntonBarney is one of these players that, if hes got a chance to win, you can tell by his body language that he fancies it. When he plays Van Gerwen he says : You think youre good? Prove how good you are. Raymond van Barneveld finished on the bullseye for this superb 161 checkout When the games are not glamorous he doesnt fancy it. If he loses to Phil hell have nothing to play for. I think Robert just wants to win.Prediction: I think Robert will win - Id rather back someone who I know is 100 per cent going to try. I think Robert cares more than Raymond. (Thornton to beat van Barneveld is 2/1 with Sky Bet).Watch Premier League Darts from Belfast on Thursday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7pm. Also See: Night 11 preview Talking points Air max Outlet . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. Air Max Outlet Online . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. http://www.airmaxoutletsale.us/ . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford. Cheap Air Max Sale . SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. Cheap Air Max 2017 . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. MONZA, Italy -- Defending champion Rikard Karlberg of Sweden led local favorite Francesco Molinari by one stroke in the first round of the Italian Open on Thursday.Karlberg shot a 7-under 64 at the Golf Club Milano, next to Monzas Formula One circuit.Thunderstorms delayed play for several hours and a good chunk of the field did not complete their rounds, or even start.Robert Karlsson of Sweden and Adrian Otaegui of Spain were tied two strokes back.Italian amateur Federico Zucchetti was among several players at 4 under.Karlberg rolled in an 18-footer for an eagle on the ninth, his final hole of the day.Thats as good as it gets, Karlberg said. I kept mmy cool even though it was a longer day.dddddddddddd Standing over the last shot on the ninth green, I just told myself, `Im so tired but its just one more shot. Pleased to execute as good as I did.Karlbergs win in Monza last year was his first on the European Tour and hes achieved four top-10s since then, including a runner-up finish at the BMW PGA Championship.Molinari is attempting to become the first Italian winner of the title since his maiden European Tour win a decade ago.The first round will be completed on Friday. ' ' '