The Unibet Masters preview: Van Gerwen meets Van Barneveld

Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld have promised an exciting encounter when they meet to kick off The Unibet Masters at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh on Saturday night.

Van Barneveld defeated the younger Dutchman in the final of this year's Premier League Darts as he lifted that title, only for van Gerwen to gain revenge last weekend with a nine-darter as he took victory in their European Championship semi-final before going on to win the event.

Van Gerwen said: “I've never won this event before so it's my aim to do that, but I've got to focus on every game. I know Raymond very well and we know each other's game, so I'll get ready for him and we'll see what happens, but it will be a fantastic game."

Van Barneveld, who has slipped to world No 16, said: "It's very important for me and I'll be giving it my all because I want to be the best Dutch player, but Michael is phenomenal at the minute.

“He's the world No 1 and world champion, but he's not undefeatable. If you keep him under pressure, maybe he will make mistakes, but if you give him opportunities he will rip your head off!"

Reigning Unibet Masters champion Phil Taylor will take on two-time major finalist Wes Newton, the world No 15, in another first round tie as the 16-time world champion bids to pick up the £50,000 first prize on Sunday night.

The Unibet Masters schedule of play

Saturday, November 1

Peter Wright v Justin Pipe

Dave Chisnall v Robert Thornton

Simon Whitlock v Mervyn King

Adrian Lewis v Kim Huybrechts

James Wade v Brendan Dolan

Phil Taylor v Wes Newton

Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld

Gary Anderson v Andy Hamilton

Sunday, November 2

Quarter-Finals

Whitlock/King v Wright/Pipe

Wade/Dolan v Lewis/Huybrechts

Taylor/Newton v Anderson/Hamilton

van Gerwen/van Barneveld v Chisnall/Thornton

Format

First Round - Best of 19 legs

Quarter-Finals - Best of 19 legs

Semi-Finals - Best of 21 legs

Final - Best of 21 legs

Prize Fund

Winner - £50,000

Runner-Up - £20,000

Semi-Finalists - £10,000

Quarter-Finalists - £7,500

First Round Losers - £5,000

Total - £160,000