ANDERSON SEES OFF TAYLOR AS DUBAI DUTY FREE DARTS MASTERS BEGINS


GARY ANDERSON began the defence of his Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters title with an impressive 10-3 victory over Phil Taylor on Wednesday, as Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Gerwyn Price also picked up wins in Dubai.


The year's opening World Series of Darts event began at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium as the eight players competed in the quarter-finals on the opening night.


Reigning champion Anderson was arguably the night's most impressive performer as he denied Taylor the chance to claim a farewell victory in Dubai in his final year on the circuit.


The two-time World Champion strung together a sequence of six straight legs to open up a 7-1 lead over the Stoke legend, averaging over 104 at the time.


Taylor did manage a single break of throw and looked set to break again in the 11th leg before Anderson took out a key 120 to move within two legs of the victory.


The Scot hit eight maximums and ended Taylor’s hopes of a first title in Dubai in what could be the 16-time World Champion’s last appearance in the desert, as he set up a last four clash with Wright.


“We all want to win, we’re all after the title and you just have to beat everyone.” said Anderson. “It’s always nice to get past the first round and Peter will be tough to beat.


“I’ll do my best and try and win here again but it’s never easy these days, let’s see what happens.”


Anderson’s fellow countryman had earlier booked his place in the semi-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters with an impressive 10-5 victory over Dave Chisnall.


Wright broke the Chisnall throw twice in the opening five legs to steam in to a 4-1 lead.


Despite an 11-dart hold in leg nine, Chisnall never really looked like getting back in to the contest as the UK Open champion averaged 101.57 in moving through to the last four.


“I believe I’ve just beaten the best player in terms of form in the tournament but I know I still need more,” said Wright, the 2014 finalist in Dubai.


"I just want to hit loads of 180’s and play better. I was ok today but tomorrow I will be better."


World Champion Van Gerwen began his quest to claim a fourth Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters title with a 10-5 victory over fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld.


Van Gerwen, who has only been beaten once in Dubai in the previous four years of the event, went in to the first break with a commanding 4-1 lead.


Van Barneveld then produced a moment of magic in the sixth leg taking out a 170 finish to close the gap to two.


The telling moment of the encounter came in the tenth leg though, as Van Barneveld missed double five for a 130 finish to break the throw, with Van Gerwen responding with a crucial 150 checkout tore-establish a four leg cushion.


Van Gerwen completed the 10-5 win, averaging 104.87 and will face Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals.


"I'm not playing perfectly but I am getting closer, I want to win this tournament," said Van Gerwen.


“Gerwyn made the final of the UK Open this year and deserves to be here. My experience will make a difference but he is a good player and I will have to play well."


World Series debutant Price overcame James Wade in a last leg decider in their quarter-final, with the left-hander falling to defeat despite missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish during the match.


Wade made a good start, breaking in the opening leg before going on to miss the final dart of a perfect leg in leg four - which would have been the first nine-darter in the unique outdoor setting in Dubai.


The match then went with throw until the tenth leg where Price broke on double 12 with a 14-darter to level the score at 5-5.


The Welshman then moved in to the lead of the first time in the next leg taking out 56 on tops.


Wade regained control again breaking in the 13th leg and looked set to take the victory when he moved 9-7 up, before Price levelled again to take the match to a deciding leg.


Price sealed the victory on double six to condemn Wade to his fourth consecutive first round defeat in Dubai.


“I think I’ve worked hard this year and have earned my place." said Price. "I was over-thinking things at the start of the match so had to keep my cool and realise it was just one break.


“I knew I had the game in me to win and I’ve proved that again tonight."


The Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters will conclude on Thursday with the semi-finals and final (8pm local time), as the first World Series of Darts champion of 2017 is discovered.


2017 Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters
Wednesday May 24
Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price 10-9 James Wade
Peter Wright 10-5 Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson 10-3 Phil Taylor
Michael van Gerwen 10-5 Raymond van Barneveld
Best of 19 legs


Thursday May 25 (8pm)
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Gerwyn Price
Gary Anderson v Peter Wright
Best of 21 legs


Final
Van Gerwen/Price v Anderson/Wright
Best of 21 legs


Tickets: www.dubai-darts.com

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN punished six missed match darts from Peter Wright as he retained the Betway Premier League title on a remarkable finale to the 2017 season at The O2 in London on Thursday.

World number three Wright had looked set to mark his first appearance in the Premier League's Play-offs by going all the way to glory when he followed up an amazing semi-final win over Phil Taylor by leading Van Gerwen 10-9.

However, six missed darts at double 16 and eight allowed Van Gerwen to level and force a deciding leg, which he began with a ninth 180 of the final and ended with an 88 finish for a 12-dart winning leg.

The triumph earned Van Gerwen a tournament record £250,000 first prize - plus a £25,000 league leader's bonus after topping the regular season's league table for a fifth straight year - and saw him win a third Premier League title.

Van Gerwen had begun the night with a 10-7 win over Gary Anderson as the world's top two ranked players clashed at the semi-final stage.

Van Gerwen had pulled clear from seven-all to claim his spot in the decider, despite Anderson firing in seven 180s and a 160 checkout, before then seeing Wright and Taylor fight out a tension-filled 19-leg semi-final.

Wright led 4-0 and took out 120 for a 6-3 cushion before Taylor reeled off four straight legs to move himself ahead.

Taylor also led 9-8, but was left to rue a missed match dart at tops as Wright levelled before winning the decider to end the 56-year-old legend's hopes of winning a seventh Premier League title in his farewell to the event.

Wright carried that momentum into the final as he took leads of 3-0 and 5-1 with the aid of two key breaks of throw, and after Van Gerwen hit back in leg seven the Scot fired in legs of 11 and 14 darts to open up a 7-2 cushion.

Van Gerwen took the next two to kick-start his challenge, before an 11-darter featured the first of six 180s in as many legs as the reigning champion fought back to level at eight-all.

Wright took the 17th as he replied to a Van Gerwen maximum with one of his own before taking out 84 to lead 9-8, and a 96 finish then moved him 10-9 up and within touching distance of the title.

Wright then opened the 20th leg with scores of 140, 180 and 149 to leave 32 after nine darts, only to miss a dart at double 16 and five darts at double eight for glory.

Van Gerwen hit double ten to force a deciding leg, opening up with a huge 180 against the throw before taking out 88 for a 12-darter as double four completed a brilliant fightback.

"It's a fantastic moment for me," said Van Gerwen. "I think that was a great final and I'm really glad I can walk away with this trophy again.

"I missed a few chances and Peter finished well, he did what he had to do but after the break I played really well and I had a great comeback.

"Peter started playing well again and I don't know how he missed six darts for the match. A player of his quality normally hits the double, but for some reason he missed them. This was a really crazy game.

"Peter was really close today but I kept myself relaxed and stepped in at the right moment. It's been great, absolutely fantastic."

Wright takes home £120,000 as the runner-up, having fallen agonisingly short of winning his second televised title, following March's success in the UK Open which is one of seven tournament wins so far in 2017.

"Well done to the champion, fair play to Michael," said Wright. "It's been a good season, the top two players finished one and two.

"By the end of tonight that's gone, and Michael will know I've let him off.

"I can't believe I missed so many darts at a double. You can't have five darts at a double to beat the number one in the world and double World Champion, and it's something I've got to learn.

"I'll go back to the practice board and then get him next time. At the moment I think I should have won, but that's gone and I'll start to think about the next tournament.

"You've got to learn to lose before you win, and I'm not going to lose any more - the wins are coming."

Taylor's semi-final defeat was his last of 207 Premier League appearances since he led the inception of the event in 2005, with his wins in the first four years followed by further titles in 2010 and 2012.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on a final title, Taylor said: "I'm fine - I had my chances and didn't take them.

"The crowd gave me so much inspiration, and it was just a couple of shots that I missed, that's all.

"I went in front and then went nervous - I could feel my heart beating - maybe because it's my last one. Peter was the better player, I can't fault him; he held his bottle and hit the right shot at the right time."

Betway Premier League Play-Offs
Thursday May 18, The O2, London
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 10-7 Gary Anderson
Peter Wright 10-9 Phil Taylor

Final
Michael van Gerwen 11-10 Peter Wright

PHIL TAYLOR is targeting the perfect ending to his final Betway Premier League season by claiming his seventh title in Thursday's Play-Offs, with Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Peter Wright also chasing the £250,000 first prize at The O2 in London.

Taylor, 56, will compete in his final night of Premier League action at The O2 as he heads towards retirement at the start of 2018, bringing the curtain down on the most successful career in the event's history.

The champion for the first four years of the Premier League from 2005-2008, Taylor also won the 2010 and 2012 titles to take his tally of victories to six.

Despite those years of dominance, Taylor has lost out to Van Gerwen in two finals since - most recently last year at The O2 - and enters this year's Play-Offs as the 11/1 outsider with sponsors Betway.

He faces world number three Wright in their semi-final, but is in relaxed mood as he chases a seventh Premier League title.

"Getting into the top four has been the aim all year so I'm delighted to have got through and I'd love to go on and win this now, but there's no pressure on me," said Taylor.

"Peter's been in brilliant form all year so I know what to expect, but this is his first time in the semi-finals so I don't know how he's feeling.

"I've approached the whole season in the same way and I'll go up there to enjoy myself. It would be fantastic if I could win this title again, the perfect way to finish in the Premier League.”

In contrast, Wright will be making his Play-Offs debut, having finished in fifth position twice in his previous three Premier League challenges.

However, the Scot is in confident mood after winning seven tournaments so far in 2017, including his first televised title at March's UK Open.

"I've been close to the Play-Offs before but I've made it this time, and I want to go and win the Premier League now," said Wright. "I've seen these great guys win it in recent years and I want to be one of those great guys too.

"To be in the top four alongside Phil, Michael and Gary is immense and I'm really happy with how the season has gone.

"I'm still learning and there are times this year that I've changed things to improve too. I've learned a lot over the years and I know how to beat people now, especially Michael because he's the man we all want to beat.

"You have to believe in your own ability and that what you do on the practice board you can do on the stage against him and anyone else in the world."

The other semi-final sees a repeat of January's World Championship final - and two other TV deciders in the past year - between the world's top two ranked players, Van Gerwen and Anderson.

Reigning Premier League champion Van Gerwen topped the league table for a fifth successive regular season with his 7-4 win over Anderson in Aberdeen last week, and is now aiming to claim his third title at The O2.

"It's time for business now," said Van Gerwen, the 4/7 odds-on favourite with Betway. "I feel good and I know I'm playing well - I had a good game when I had to play well last against Gary and I have to do the same tomorrow night.

"They know what they have to do to beat me if they want to win the tournament, but I need to make sure I hold them off by playing some good darts and putting them under pressure.

"It's four good players and you can't let them have a sniff of the trophy, because if you give them a finger they will take your hand. I want to win the trophy again and it would be really special if I can."

Anderson, meanwhile, is aiming to follow up his 2011 and 2015 Premier League triumphs by completing his own hat-trick.

"It would be nice to win it again and if I play well I've got a good chance," said Anderson, who finished fourth in the league table but had the second-highest tournament average, behind Van Gerwen.

"You've got to beat everyone that's in front of you and whoever turns up on the night is going to walk away with the trophy.

"It's always going to be hard anyway but it's going to be interesting because it's Phil's last, it's Peter's first time here and both me and Michael have won it twice, so it's all to play for."

With Van Gerwen as the 4/7 title favourite with Betway, Wright is the 9/2 second favourite, with Anderson 5/1 and Taylor 11/1.

Van Gerwen is 1/3 to win his semi-final against Anderson (9/4), while Wright is odds-on at 1/2 to defeat Taylor (13/8).

Tickets for the Betway Premier League Play-Offs at The O2 can be purchased by calling 0844 856 0202 or via www.axs.com.

Betway Premier League Play-Offs
Thursday May 18, The O2, London
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson
Peter Wright v Phil Taylor
Best of 19 legs

Final
Van Gerwen/Anderson v Wright/Taylor
Best of 21 legs

Tickets: 0844 856 0202 or via www.axs.com

Betway Odds
Tournament Winner
4/7 Michael van Gerwen
9/2 Peter Wright
5/1 Gary Anderson
11/1 Phil Taylor

Semi-Final Match Odds
1/3 Michael van Gerwen v 9/4 Gary Anderson
8/15 Peter Wright v 6/4 Phil Taylor
Odds correct at time of writing and courtesy www.betway.com. Subject to fluctuation.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN defeated Gary Anderson 7-4 to top the Betway Premier League table for a fifth successive season, as Phil Taylor claimed the final Play-Off place on Thursday in Aberdeen.

Peter Wright's 7-1 win over Raymond van Barneveld at the GE Oil & Gas Arena had left Van Gerwen needing to defeat Anderson if the Dutchman was to claim the £25,000 League Winner's Bonus.

The world number one rose to the challenge in a scintillating game with Anderson, taking command early on by moving into a 3-1 lead before holding off the Scot's fightback, which included a 145 checkout.

Taylor had earlier come from 5-3 down to defeat Adrian Lewis 7-5 as he claimed the final spot in the league table ahead of Dave Chisnall, whose Play-Off hopes were ended with a six-all draw against James Wade.

Those results mean that Van Gerwen and Anderson will clash again at the semi-final stage in next Thursday's Play-Offs, as the pair continue their search for a third Premier League title.

Van Gerwen, though, leaves Aberdeen celebrating his achievement in topping the regular season's league table for a fifth successive year since he entered the tournament.

"It was really tough this year," said the Dutchman. "Peter was in my shadow all the way through and fair play to him but I came here for two points and I got them, so I'm really glad.

"I think my scoring was good but I still missed too many chances in my opinion - but I did the job I needed to tonight. It was really important for me and I'm happy with this win so I can look forward to next week at The O2.

"It's the top four darts players in the world and I can't wait. It's always a good game against Gary and I feel good."

Wright produced another clinical display as he prepared for his first-ever Premier League Play-Offs challenge with a superb 7-1 defeat of Van Barneveld.

The Scot landed 180s in each of the first two legs, with the latter being a 14-dart break, before an 80 checkout moved him 3-0 up.

Van Barneveld replied on double ten, but Wright posted another 180 as he regained his edge, punished misses from the Dutchman to break again, took out a 14-darter to move 6-1 up and then sealed the win with a 116 finish.

"I've qualified for the top four for the first time and I'm happy with that," said Wright, who has finished in fifth place in two of his previous three Premier League campaigns.

"I'm pinching myself thinking that I'm in that top four alongside Phil, Gary and Michael - it's crazy. My form's coming and I've got another week to get it right for The O2.

"It's always hard to beat Barney. He's a tough customer and isn't a five-time World Champion for nothing, but to have that amazing support behind you in Aberdeen makes you want to play.

"The fans were fantastic, it makes you tingle when you're on stage."

Taylor secured qualification for the Play-Offs in his final Premier League season with a 7-5 win over Stoke rival Lewis .

Lewis missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish early in the game but led 4-2 with the aid of a 122 bull checkout, only to see Taylor win five of the next six legs - despite a 114 finsh from his rival - for victory.

"I'm over the moon to get to The O2," said Taylor. "It's an extra bonus for me, I didn't expect to get there to be honest, so it's massive.

"There's no pressure on me but I'm going to be trying to win it and I've done it six times before.

"I'll have a massive smile on my face because I've been dedicated for 30 years and it's time for me to move on, but I'm in it to win it next week and I'm looking forward to it.

"If I can go out there and win my seventh Premier League title it will be brilliant."

Earlier, Chisnall's draw with Wade ended the 2015 semi-finalist's bid to snatch a top-four finish, despite finishing the season with a seven-game unbeaten run.

Chisnall had to secure a big win to put the pressure on Taylor, but saw Wade capitalise on his missed doubles to move 3-1 up, with the aid of a clinical 71 finish.

Wade then hit his fourth 180 as he moved into a 6-2 lead to secure at least a point from the contest.

Chisnall, though, took leg nine to keep his hopes in the match alive, before finishing a brilliant 129 and a 13-darter to force a deciding leg, in which he hit two 180s in an 11-dart finish to snatch a share of the spoils.

Chisnall ended the game with seven 180s, but admitted that a slow start against Wade cost him.

"I couldn't hit a double in the early stages and didn’t really play in the first six or seven legs," said Chisnall. "At 6-2 down, I had nothing to lose and I managed to fight back and get the draw.

"The season has been good in the end. I've been playing well for eight weeks and wish I'd started like that, but it gives me great encouragement for the remainder of the season."

Van Gerwen's clash with Anderson - which is also a repeat of the World Grand Prix, World Championship and Masters finals of the past year - will open next Thursday's Play-Offs, before Wright takes on six-time Premier League champion Taylor.

The tournament will then conclude with the final at The O2, with a £250,000 prize on offer for the eventual champion. Tickets for the Betway Premier League Play-Offs can be purchased by calling 0844 856 0202 or online via www.axs.com.

Van Gerwen is the 4/7 favourite with sponsors Betway to win the Premier League title next Thursday, with Wright 9/2, Anderson 5/1 and Taylor rated at 11/1.

Betway Premier League
Night 15
Thursday May 11, GE Oil & Gas Arena, Aberdeen
Dave Chisnall 6-6 James Wade
Phil Taylor 7-5 Adrian Lewis
Peter Wright 7-1 Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen 7-4 Gary Anderson

Play-Offs
Thursday May 18, The O2, London
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson
Peter Wright v Phil Taylor
Best of 19 legs

Final
Van Gerwen/Anderson v Wright/Taylor
Best of 21 legs

Tickets: 0844 856 0202 or via www.axs.com

Betway Odds
Tournament Winner
4/7 Michael van Gerwen
9/2 Peter Wright
5/1 Gary Anderson
11/1 Phil Taylor

ANDERSON SEALS BETWAY PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SPOT AS TAYLOR OVERCOMES VAN GERWEN

GARY ANDERSON secured a Betway Premier League Play-Off place with a 7-3 win over James Wade on Thursday, as Phil Taylor overcame Michael van Gerwen with a memorable victory at The Sheffield Arena.

Two-time Premier League champion Anderson will join Van Gerwen and Peter Wright in the semi-finals at The O2 in a fortnight, after a third win in his last four matches sealed a top-four finish.

Anderson took five of the game's first six legs, hitting two 180s and a key 90 finish in the process, before holding off a Wade revival to finish 78 and double two for the crucial victory.

"I knew that I just needed one more win and I was really nervous tonight and it was a bit of a struggle, but I got there in the end," admitted Anderson.

"Getting into the top four is everyone's aim at the start of the season so that's the main bit done.

"I'm through now and that takes the pressure off next week when I play Michael in Aberdeen - but we don't want to lose to each other and it should be special."

The visit to Sheffield saw Taylor deny Van Gerwen the chance to secure top spot in the league table with a 7-3 win which also sees the six-time champion maintain his fourth place in the race for Play-Off spots.

After missing three doubles to win the opening leg, Van Gerwen hit back to lead 2-1 only for Taylor to seize the initiative with a superb 96 finish of single 20, double 18 and double top to level.

Taylor then took the next four in a run which included an 11-darter and a 90 finish following three further misses from Van Gerwen, who rallied briefly with an 11-dart finish of his own before the Stoke legend completed the win.

Taylor now sits in fourth place, two points clear of Dave Chisnall going into next week's final league night in Aberdeen - meaning that he needs just a point from his game with Adrian Lewis to secure qualification for the Play-Offs in his farewell season.

"Michael's a tough opponent but it was a strange game," said Taylor. "A couple of times Michael went for the bull when he should have left a finish with three darts, which I think put him under pressure.

"I think the 90 finish won me the game in the end and it's another two points. To play Michael and beat him is a massive buzz.

"It's in my own hands and it will be fantastic if I make it into the Play-Offs. I went up there to enjoy it tonight because I've not got as much pressure on me, and when you're more relaxed you can enjoy it a bit more.

"I'm not going to take anything for granted and I've got to get ready for Aberdeen because Adrian could play out of his skin."

Chisnall's push for a semi-final spot continued as he extended his unbeaten run to six games by defeating Raymond van Barneveld 7-5, averaging over 109 in the process.

Van Barneveld defied two 180s to win the game's opening leg, hitting a maximum of his own, and also led 2-1 before Chisnall took three in a row to push himself clear, with the burst including a superb 142 checkout.

A pair of double eight finishes pulled Van Barneveld level, but Chisnall took the next two to move 6-4 up and secure a point, and though the Dutchman finished 70 to send the match into a decider, a 64 finish continued the St Helens ace's Play-Off challenge.

"I'm happy to get the win," said Chisnall, who eliminated Van Barneveld in the process. "Raymond let me off by missing a few bulls but I missed a couple of doubles too.

"I've been playing well lately and I could have had 12 points, but I had the three draws that I could have won. I'm in a very good position but I've still got to win next week.

"I'm in with a chance and it's exciting. I've been playing well for the last six or seven weeks and I could have had six wins, but that's darts. I know I can do it but I've got to win the last game against James and I want to keep playing like I am."

Wright, meanwhile, sits just a point behind Van Gerwen in the battle to claim the £25,000 League Winner's Bonus after he ended Lewis' Play-Off hopes with a 7-2 victory.

Legs of 13 and 14 darts gave Wright an early 2-0 lead, despite a pair of maximums from Lewis, before the 2011 runner-up hit back to level.

Wright, though, landed a 180 of his own as he took the fifth and pounced on two missed doubles from Lewis to break and take a 4-2 lead, before reeling off the next three legs to complete his ninth win of the season.

"The plan was to come and get the win and I've done that, and I wanted to keep the pressure on Michael," said Wright.

"This wasn't my best performance and I couldn't settle into the match, but Adrian wasn't on form like he can be and any player in the Premier League would have punished him.

"It's great to be going to The O2 but I also want to finish top too."

The final league night at The GE Oil & Gas Arena in Aberdeen next week will see Chisnall face Wade before Taylor takes on Lewis in matches which will decide the fourth qualifier for the Play-Offs.

Wright then takes on Van Barneveld, before reigning Premier League champion Van Gerwen meets Anderson in a repeat of January's World Championship final.

Betway Premier League
Night 14 - Thursday May 4
The Sheffield Arena
Peter Wright 7-2 Adrian Lewis
Raymond van Barneveld 5-7 Dave Chisnall
James Wade 3-7 Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen 3-7 Phil Taylor

Night 15 - Thursday May 11
GE Oil & Gas Arena, Aberdeen
Dave Chisnall v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis
Peter Wright v Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson
Tickets: Sold Out

ANDERSON CHASING TOP-FOUR SPOT AS BETWAY PREMIER LEAGUE VISITS SHEFFIELD

GARY ANDERSON is aiming to cement his place in the Betway Premier League Play-Offs as he faces James Wade at The Sheffield Arena on Thursday, as Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor face off.

Two-time Premier League champion Anderson is aiming to become the third player, behind Van Gerwen and Peter Wright, to secure his top four spot as Sheffield hosts the season's penultimate league night.

Anderson sits on 16 points in the table, one ahead of fourth-placed Phil Taylor and two clear of Raymond van Barneveld, and knows that he can ensure his place at The O2 on May 18 when he meets Wade on Thursday.

The Scot defeated Van Barneveld with a fine display in Birmingham last week, and is on a high after winning Sunday's Players Championship in Wigan.

"I'm playing okay and I'm happy with where I am in the table but obviously I want to win on Thursday and make sure I get in the Play-Offs," said Anderson.

"It's tight in the table and every point's crucial. I'm looking forward to the last couple of weeks because James is still fighting and he'll be up for it, but so will I."

Wade still has an outside hope of reaching the Play-Offs, although he will need to defeat Anderson and Dave Chisnall in his final two matches and hope that other results work in his favour.

Victory over Adrian Lewis a week ago kept Wade's hopes alive, but the 2009 Premier League champion admits he may have a tall order if he is to snatch a top-four finish following a four-game losing run in mid-season.

"I am where I am in the table but it might be too late now," admitted the left-hander. "There's a chance but you should never leave it this late or put yourself in this position.

"I started the season okay and it hasn't gone so well in the latter stages, but there are no excuses.

"I want to be an inconvenience to the other players who need the points, and if I can get two wins then that's great. The standard has been spectacular this season and the lads are giving the crowds something special to watch."

Taylor could also seal a Play-Off place for his farewell Premier League season should he defeat Van Gerwen and other results go his way.

"Getting into the top four has been the target all season and it would be great if I can make it into the semi-finals," said Taylor.

"Even though I'm fourth it's really tight, so I've just got to try and get the result against Michael. I love playing against him and it should be another good match."

League leader and reigning champion Van Gerwen ended his double-header in Birmingham with a whitewash of Lewis, before hitting a nine-darter as he won a Players Championship on Saturday.

"I'm feeling great and it's good that I qualified, but I want to make sure I finish top of the table so I want to keep my form going," said the World Champion.

"I know if I win I will finish top so I'm aiming for that against Phil. It's never easy against him but I'm confident and playing well."

Chisnall has boosted his Play-Off ambitions with two wins and three draws during a five-match unbeaten run, and he meets Van Barneveld in Sheffield.

"I'm still in with a shout and I'll prepare myself like I have for the last few weeks," said Chisnall.

"If I could have started the league like I'm ending it I'd probably be top, but I still think I can get through. Raymond's a great player so I'll just keep playing my own game and hopefully I can keep getting the results."

The night's other game in Sheffield sees Lewis meet UK Open champion Wright, who has to win to keep up the pressure on Van Gerwen in the battle to claim the £25,000 League Winner's Bonus.

"I've got two games to play and I want to take four points and push Michael for that top spot," said Wright. "I'm looking to finish top and I've been working hard on the practice board to get myself ready for this.

"I'm looking forward to it because Adrian's a fantastic player and he showed with his nine-darter a few weeks ago how good he can be."

The Betway Premier League will be live on Sky Sports from 7pm on Thursday. For tickets, call 0114 256 5656 or visit www.sheffieldarena.co.uk.

Betway Premier League
Night 14 - Thursday May 4
The Sheffield Arena
Peter Wright v Adrian Lewis
Raymond van Barneveld v Dave Chisnall
James Wade v Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen v Phil Taylor
Tickets: 0114 256 5656 or via www.sheffieldarena.co.uk

Betway Odds
Tournament Winner – After Night 13
1/2 Michael van Gerwen
9/2 Peter Wright
11/2 Gary Anderson
20/1 Phil Taylor
33/1 Raymond van Barneveld
80/1 Adrian Lewis
100/1 Dave Chisnall
250/1 James Wade