Thursday 21 May 2015 18:30, UK
The battle to be crowned 2015 Premier League Darts champion reaches a conclusion at London's O2 Arena on Thursday with Michael van Gerwen, Dave Chisnall, Gary Anderson and Raymond van Barneveld left to fight it out.
Phil Taylor may have failed to qualify for the play-offs for the first time in the history of the competition but there is no shortage of star quality with the world No 1, the world champion and the reigning Premier League champion taking up three of the four semi-final spots.
All four players come into the Premier League's showpiece event in good form with Anderson's impressive average of 97 in beating in Adrian Lewis last week the lowest of the semi-finalists in Brighton as Chisnall, Van Gerwen and Van Barneveld all topped 100.
The pressure will be on them to maintain those high standards in the knockout stage over the best of 19 legs, extended from the best of 12 during the league phase.
Dave Chisnall v Gary Anderson
It would perhaps be unfair to suggest that Chisnall has been the suprise package in this year's Premier League given what he achieved over the past few years - yet for many, that is how he is viewed.
Surprising or not his second place finish was a fine achievement in just his second year in the tournament and he has more than proved he can take on the best in the business and win.
Among those big wins were two against the 2015 world champion and his semi-final opponent, Gary Anderson, earlier in the competition. However, the 'Flying Scotsman' has displayed his undoubted class throughout the season, never more so than during his stunning 7-5 victory over Van Gerwen in Cardiff in April.
His World Championships success proved he can deliver on the big stage and he'll be keen to add to his 2011 Premier League crown on Thursday.
Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
Given the form of both players in the past couple of months few would argue that this would have been a worthy final. Van Barneveld has looked unstoppable in recent times, winning six and drawing one since 'Judgement Night' including a 7-3 victory over his countryman in April. He could hardly have come into the play-offs feeling more confident as he aims to defend his title.
"I don't look at any other darts players," he said in Brighton last week. "They know what I can do and I know what they can do. I'm a fantastic player. If everyone knows what they know I can do, I can beat everyone in the world and that's what I've done the last seven weeks."
However, if there is one man who would back himself to beat Barney, even in current form, it is Michael van Gerwen. The 2013 winner coasted through to the semi-finals with games to spare and goes into the event at the O2 as favourite to reclaim the title.
The Dutchman averaged 111.90 during his high-quality 6-6 draw with Chisnall to his league campaign last Thursday and a repeat performance at the O2 would make it a very big ask for Van Barneveld to reach the final.
The final
The match length will be extended again, changing from best of 19 legs in the semis to best of 21 in the final. Whichever two players progress it sure to be a match to savour in front of a raucous crowd in London.
Watch all of the action from London's O2 live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm on Thursday 21 May.
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