The 2012 Premier League comes to a mouth-watering conclusion on Thursday as the top four players head to the O2 in London to battle it out for the £150,000 prize in front of a record crowd.
Phil Taylor, Simon Whitlock, Andy Hamilton and James Wade have stood the test of 14 weeks of intense competition across the UK and Ireland to secure their place in the tournament's showcase night and each will feel they have what it takes to be crowned champion.
The opening Semi-Final sees two players with a rich history of classic encounters and an interesting statistic go head-to-head once again.
Simon Whitlock has never beaten Andy Hamilton in a televised major and regards the Stoke ace as his bogey opponent.
The Wizard suffered heart-breaking defeats in the 2011 World Matchplay and 2012 World Championship having let significant leads slip on both occasions.
Debutant Hamilton has proved wrong the doubters who wrote off his chances in this competition before a dart was thrown by reaching the play-offs following a third place finish courtesy of an incredible end of season run.
The Hammer found himself rock bottom of the table with six weeks gone, but rallied round demonstrating the grit and determination he has shown throughout his career, losing just once in his last eight matches (an 8-6 defeat to Phil Taylor).
He secured his place in the showpiece finals night with a thumping 8-1 victory over Kevin Painter and will take encouragement from his perfect record against the Aussie.
Whitlock has been consistent throughout the 14 weeks, comfortably landing second spot having lost just twice (both to Phil Taylor) across the whole of the campaign.
The duo are two of the heaviest scorers in the game and are also capable of clinical finishing, which should make for a highly entertaining, close-run encounter.
For the winner, a showdown with either Phil Taylor or James Wade in the final later that evening, as the two heavyweights collide on finals night yet again.
The fixture brings back memories of the greatest ever Premier League tie which saw Taylor hit two nine dart finishes which proved to be the difference in a 10-8 victory over The Machine to win him the 2010 title.
Wade will be out for revenge but knows the uphill task he faces as he runs into a red hot Taylor, who has returned to his rampant best in this event.
The Power is desperate to win back the trophy he has lifted five times before and it is likely to take something special to deny him glory.
Taylor completed an emphatic double over the left-hander in the league stages this season, storming to comprehensive 8-2 and 8-1 victories en route to topping the table with 24 points.
Wade's fate went down to the wire as he won the leg he needed to qualify on the final night, denying Raymond van Barneveld by earning a 7-7 draw in Newcastle to clinch fourth place.
Former champion Wade has been patchy at times this season, but recovered from his traditional slow start to remain firmly in contention for darts' top invitational prize.
He is renowned for winning titles after The Power has departed the competition, but he will need to first dispose of the man himself if he is go all the way.
The night also plays host to the final of the 2012 World Youth Championship featuring Dutch wonderkid Michael van Gerwen against Norfolk's James Hubbard.
The young duo will do battle for the £10,000 first prize following the two Premier League Semi-Finals in what promises to be a dramatic if not nerve jangling encounter at the O2.
The final will then round off what promises to be a thrilling night in the capital as the final two battle it out over the best of 19 legs for the right to be crowned 2012 Premier League champion.
The action gets underway at 7pm on Thursday, with all matches being streamed live from the O2 Arena, London.
McCoy's Premier League Darts Play-Offs
The O2, London - May 17 (all times approximate)
Semi-Finals
7.10pm Simon Whitlock 1/2 v Andy Hamilton 13/8
8.00pm Phil Taylor 1/5 v James Wade 7/2
Best of 15 legs
PDC Unicorn World Youth Championship Final
8.45pm Michael van Gerwen 1/2 v James Hubbard 6/4
Best of 11 legs
McCoy's Premier League Darts Final
9.30pm Taylor/Wade v Whitlock/Hamilton
Best of 19 legs
To win outright
Phil Taylor 4/11
Simon Whitlock 5/1
James Wade 7/1
Andy Hamilton 14/1
All odds courtesy of
Bet365 (15/5/12)
Betting Tip
A £10 treble for Simon Whitlock, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen to win their matches pays £27 with
Bet365.
Stat Pack
League Stats 100+ 140+ 180 Average LWAT 100+ Finishes
Phil Taylor 193 145 52 107.60 39 11
Simon Whitlock201 132 48 96.46 29 9
Andy Hamilton 205 100 43 94.73 27 8
James Wade 219 133 41 95.65 26 11
Finishing Doubles Hit Doubles %
Phil Taylor 107/220 49%
Simon Whitlock84/233 36%
Andy Hamilton 89/203 44%
James Wade 83/202 41%
Final Table
P W D L LW LL +/- Pts
Phil Taylor 14 11 2 1 107 56 +51 24
Simon Whitlock 14 7 2 5 84 85 -1 16
Andy Hamilton 14 4 5 5 89 89 0 13
James Wade 14 5 3 6 83 89 -6 13
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Raymond van Barneveld14 4 5 5 86 97 -11 13
Adrian Lewis 14 4 4 6 83 91 -8 12
Kevin Painter 14 5 1 8 80 92 -12 11
Gary Anderson 14 3 4 7 79 92 -13 10
Form Guide 2012
Phil Taylor DWWWWWW WWWLWWD
Simon Whitlock DWLLWWD LWWWLLW
Andy Hamilton WLDLLLD WLDDDWW
James Wade LLLWWWL WLWDDLD
