Adrian Lewis returns to action in week 11 of the Premier League in Bournemouth, as all eight players remain in the hunt for coveted play-off places next month.
Just four weeks of regular action remain in what has been a captivating season and the pressure intensifies as we reach the make or break stage of the competition.
A sell-out crowd on the South Coast are certain to witness a dramatic night of action, starting with second placed Simon Whitlock against fourth placed Raymond van Barneveld.
Former world finalist Whitlock is in a strong position to book his place at the O2 and knows that one more victory will take him to the magic 14 point mark, a total which is widely believely to be sufficient for qualification.
The Aussie has been consistent throughout the event and is a solid all round player; he is likely to be involved in an epic with his in-form Dutch opponent.
Barney goes into the game on the back of a rich vein of form which saw him pick up back-to-back Pro Tour titles in Barnsley at the weekend, including numerous ton-plus averages and a nine-darter en route.
He will be hoping to bounce back from his defeat to rival Phil Taylor last week but with the same level of determination could force this one to go the distance.
The second match of the night features two players at the other end of the form table, both looking to end a long winless run.
Reigning champion Anderson's play-off hopes hang in the balance after he took just one point from his two matches last week and has not tasted victory for six matches.
Newcomer Painter has also struggled for points despite a positive start to the campaign and will be desperate to move off the bottom by taking his first win for five weeks.
Left-hander James Wade takes on world finalist Andy Hamilton in the penultimate match of the night.
Wade has been in fine form of late, recovering from a sluggish start to move into the play-off places courtesy of a series of fine scoring displays and clinical finishing.
The Machine is just one point away from slipping back out of the play-off places and will face a tough test against a gritty thrower in Andy Hamilton.
Hamilton's trademark 'never say die' attitude was evident last week as he battled back to earn a draw with Gary Anderson following a superb 102 checkout in the deciding leg.
Failure to take anything from the game however could all but end the Hammer's hopes of going all the way in his debut season.
The best is saved until last as Stoke's two finest darting products clash on the big stage once again in another potential classic.
Phil Taylor has already long secured his place at the O2 in May for another title challenge and will be out to maintain his unbeaten record this season by beating his former protege.
Lewis remains the only player to have taken anything from the Power this season after he earned a draw in a thriller on opening night despite leading 6-1.
A bout of inconsistency however has dented his prospects of joining the master on finals night and the world champion will realise the importance of this one as he prepares for his biggest game of the season so far.
Both players possess incredible scoring power, but the game could come down to the finishing, with Lewis needing to match Taylor and more in that department if he is to avoid being cut adrift from fourth spot.
The action gets underway at 7pm on Thursday, with matches played over the best of 14 legs and streamed live from the BIC, Bournemouth.
Week Eleven Order of Play
April 19 - BIC, Bournemouth
7.10pm Raymond van Barneveld 6/5 v Simon Whitlock 6/5 (draw 9/2)
8.00pm Gary Anderson 8/11 v Kevin Painter 2/1 (draw 9/2)
8.45pm James Wade 8/15 v Andy Hamilton 13/5 (draw 5/1)
9.30pm Phil Taylor 4/11 v Adrian Lewis 4/1 (draw 5/1)
Match odds courtesy of
Bet365 (17/4/12)
Betting Tips:
A £10 treble for Raymond van Barneveld, James Wade and Phil Taylor to win their matches pays £45 with
Bet365.
Latest League Table
P W D L +/- Pts
Phil Taylor (Q) 10 9 1 0 +42 19
Simon Whitlock 10 5 2 3 +2 12
James Wade 10 5 0 5 +1 10
Raymond van Barneveld 10 4 2 4 -7 10
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Adrian Lewis 10 3 3 4 -4 9
Gary Anderson 10 3 1 6 -9 7
Andy Hamilton 10 2 3 5 -11 7
Kevin Painter 10 3 0 7 -14 6
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