He has given Austria as his prediction but admitted for that to be the case both players have to be playing well.
‘I predicted them as dark horses last year and that's Austria. Whilst it's pairs obviously, they both need to be playing well.’ said Mardle to
Sky Sports.
‘There's going to be moments where you are going to have to gel as a pair and if one of you is not playing particularly great then the pressure can get to that player, like Lerchbacher last year.’
Mardle added that in his opinion Lerchbacher is now playing better and if England falter, Austria could be the dark horse.
‘Lerchbacher is now playing better, and I think if he plays well, they could do alright. I think they could even reach the final.
‘They're in the same half as England and I think England could lose to the Philippines. That's the reason I fancy Austria.’