Thursday 23 April 2015 15:14, UK
Phil Taylor faces Adrian Lewis as the battle for a Premier League play-off spot intensifies in Cardiff on Thursday.
With just two points separating Taylor in the fourth and final play-off berth and Raymond van Barneveld in seventh, all is still to play for in the final weeks of the campaign.
Indeed, even Stephen Bunting in eighth maintains a slim hope of making the showpiece event at London's O2 Arena on May 21. The former WDO world champion sits a further two points behind the chasing pack, four shy of Taylor.
Gary Anderson has an opportunity to ensure that he does not get dragged into the battle for the final top four spot as he doubles up, opening the night's proceedings against Bunting before returning to face Michael van Gerwen in a repeat of lasy year's World Championship semi-final, in the final match of the night.
Stephen Bunting v Gary Anderson
After picking up just one point from his two games in Aberdeen last week, Bunting knows that he must beat the world champion if he is to retain any realistic hope of reaching the O2.
The Liverpudlian was comfortably beaten by Lewis in his first match last Thursday and salvaged a draw by breaking Taylor to round off proceedings in almost comical fashion. After both players had missed countless opportunities to take the leg, Bunting finally ended the charade by hitting double one.
Meanwhile, Anderson thrilled his home crowd by coming back from 6-2 down to draw with James Wade. 'The Flying Scotsman' ran out a 7-4 winner in his last meeting with Bunting in Dublin last month and can close the gap to the top two with a repeat result.
James Wade v Michael van Gerwen
Premier League leader Van Gerwen will be looking to bounce back from his first defeat of the year in the competition when he goes up against another play-off hopeful in James Wade.
His fellow countryman Raymond van Barneveld left the world No 1's unbeaten record in tatters with an impressive 7-3 victory while Wade had looked set to triumph over Gary Anderson before being pegged pack to draw 6-6.
As Van Gerwen attempts to extend his lead of the top of the table, Wade is embroiled in the four-man, possibly even five, battle for the final top four place and will need to show the form that saw him race into a 6-2 lead over Anderson in week 11.
The pair last met at the oche in Manchester at the beginning of April with MvG emerging the victor, 7-4.
Raymond van Barneveld v Dave Chisnall
The reigning Premier League champion faces second-placed Dave Chisnall targetting successive wins over the top two.
Victory over Van Gerwen brought Van Barneveld right back into the frame to qualify for the season ending finals next month and he could draw level with his great rival Phil Taylor with a third straight win.
Chisnall's run of four victories on the spin came to an end against Taylor last time out and missed out on the opportunity to go top as a result.
The 34-year-old from St Helens will be keen to keep pace with Van Gerwen ahead of a potential decider on the final week of the regular season in Brighton.
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis
The 16-time world champion takes on his former protege knowing that victory will keep Lewis and the chasing pack at bay for at least another week in the race for the top four and a play-off place.
Taylor won their last meeting 7-2 back in February in Bournemouth and looked close to his best as he beat Chisnall in Scotland in the first of his two matches last week.
However, he threw away a 5-2 advantage versus Bunting when he returned to the oche and wasted several darts to win the match in a farcical final leg.
Lewis on the other hand was clinical is maintaining his play-off charge, registering a 50 per cent success rate on the doubles to cruise to a 7-2 victory over 'The Bullet'.
Gary Anderson v Michael van Gerwen
Depending on results earlier in the evening this match could see Anderson with a chance of going level on points with Dutch ace Van Gerwen. Alternatively, 'Mighty Mike' could end the night as many as eight points clear of Anderson and potentially open up a five-point gap to the second place.
The duo did battle in Liverpool back in February and it was Van Gerwen who came out on top 7-4, gaining revenge for his semi-final loss at the World Championships at Ally Pally earlier this year.
Van Gerwen had won his last six Premier League matches on the bounce ahead of his defeat last week and although he is all but certain to take his place at the O2, he will be keen to avoid anymore hiccups before then.
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