assessment Gould took aim at the Blues leadership group, d

With the brand new Premier League very nearly upon us, the oracle Wayne Mardle looks into his crystal ball and takes us through his predictions for the season. The superstars come out to play when the First Direct Arena in Leeds hosts the opening night of tungsten action this Thursday night, live on Sky Sports.Defending champion Gary Anderson, world No 1 Michael van Gerwen and six-time winner Phil Taylor head a star-studded 10-man field which heads to 16 venues with over 100,000 fans expected to turn out. Its the biggest tournament ever and the four-time World Championship semi-finalist and former Premier League star Mardle takes us through his overall predictions for the season.The dark horse Dave Chizzy Chisnall will not be far off from repeating his performance last season where he so nearly won the league. I think now hes got this game where he used to be so hit and miss. If he was slightly off he would lose. Hes not like that anymore because hes found this consistent way of playing - he doesnt snatch like he used to - he just seems in control of himself and his darts and I think he will be the outsider to make the play-offs again.When [Raymond] Van Barneveld won it in 2014, he made the semi-final by just scrapping in and he hadnt beaten Phil [Taylor] in 21 attempts on TV. He beat Phil and then he beat Michael [Van Gerwen] in the final so any outcome is possible of that there is no doubt. (Chisnall 9/4 to make the play-offs at Sky Bet)Early exits For me its going to be Robert Thornton and Michael Smith. They are the two favourites to be eliminated or not make the cut, relegated, whatever you want to call it.Thornton is not playing well - hes played pretty poorly and at the Worlds he didnt look great. Theres a lot of things that are happening when Robert plays.He was the highest seed that went out at the Worlds and was 8-0 up at the Masters before going on to lose against Dave Chisnall - these things do not happen when youre not playing well. He wont be high on confidence. As for Michael Smith, the Premier League is difficult - I know that and all the players that play in it will tell you about that.A good start for him is paramount. I think he has to win the first two games. You dont have to win every week, but I just think he has to win in one of the first two weeks otherwise he could be on a bit of a downer with confidence. He doesnt seem the type to pick himself up to me.Power cut I dont think Phil Taylor will dominate. If he wins it, I think it will be the hard way. Nothing comes easy to Phil at the moment. Even when hes making or what seems to be making light work of an opponent he will miss and give them an opportunity, which is something he never used to do.Its just the mindset because when youre used to beating someone [like Phil Taylor] and then it turns the other way, its difficult. The mind plays tricks on you and you think youre not going to win even though you think youve got that chance, that opportunity. (Taylor 5/4 not to reach the play-offs with Sky Bet)Top guns I think Michael Van Gerwen and Gary Anderson will end up first and second in the Premier League table and I think Michael will finish top. Hes won it the last three years so I cant see no reason why he wont win it again - he is the best player on the planet - and he proves that consistently, even when he loses. At the World Championship he averaged 105 - the mans an absolute machine at the moment.Hes got that Phil Taylor mindset where he wants to win, win, win. Michael has never actually said that he is looking for perfection. As long as hes happy with his performance, hes OK. Whereas Phils always been 118 average, I can do better. Michael is 118 average, that was brilliant - yeah, I want to do that again.And the winner is... No great shakes - Michael Van Gerwen. Like I said, come the play-off, any one of the four who are in it can most certainly win the trophy. Van Gerwen, Anderson and Taylor have won it before. Barney has won it before. I think whoever qualifies will fancy it, I really do.Michael Van Gerwen, from day-to-day, he is just becoming an absolute certainty. He is winning games - he gets in early and rips them to shreds and makes the players doubt themselves.When he is behind he can fight back and he gets away with it like Phil Taylor used to. People panic when they have a chance to beat him and I just think he will take all the stopping. He will win the league phase and I think he will win it overall. You can watch the opening night live on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm on Thursday, we will be building up to the coverage this week and our live blog here at www.skysports.com/darts and on the Sky Sports app will keep you up to date with all the action. Also See: Studds Premier moments Premier League players Fixtures/Results On Sky TV Darts betting New Orleans Saints Jerseys . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. Archie Manning Jersey . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.shoptheofficialsaints.com/Elite-Morten-Andersen-Saints-Jersey/ . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. Sam Mills Jersey . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. Willie Roaf Jersey . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Paul Gallen has revealed he and Robbie Farah responded to Phil Goulds scathing criticism by conducting a selfish experiment into their performances in State of Origin II with the NSW coaching staff.One of the first things Blues skipper Gallen, hooker Farah and coach Laurie Daley and his staff did upon entering their Coffs Harbour training base last week ahead of game three was to conduct a review of their efforts in the series-ending game three loss.Blues coaching great Gould was highly critical of the Blues after their 26-16 loss in Brisbane last month.In his post-game assessment Gould took aim at the Blues leadership group, describing them as selfish. It was an appraisal that was widely received as having been aimed at Gallen and Farah, including by the players themselves.I havent doubted my ability and I think I have proved that every level I have played, Gallen said on Monday.But we had a meeting the firrst day of camp and we actually went through the video, me and Laurie and the coaching staff and Robbie to try and look where we were being selfish, we actually tried to find it.ddddddddddddGallen was also criticised for taking the ball away from NSWs playmakers.That is the talk but it is not the reality and if people can prove otherwise I will stand corrected, Gallen said.But we actually went looking for evidence that me and Robbie were being selfish and we couldnt find any. At least Laurie and the coaching staff couldnt find any.The retiring Gallen is yet to speak with Gould about his ongoing criticism.I havent had the chance to speak to Gus, it has been pretty busy. I am fully open to talking to him, if it does, it does, if it doesnt, it doesnt and I will move on, Gallen said. ' ' '