Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen battle for top spot of Premier League Darts
Friday 8 April 2016 08:31, UK
And then there were eight. Premier League Darts returns to your screen this week with the survivors of Judgement Night aiming to seal a play-off spot.
Dave Chisnall and Michael Smith have been eliminated, and the Premier League enters its second phase from Sheffield on Thursday, live on Sky Sports 2 HD.
The eight survivors will now begin a battle that will split them down the middle - only the top four will qualify for the final night at London's O2 Arena when the champion will eventually be crowned.
Live Premier League Darts
This week, top-of-the-table Phil Taylor has a glorious chance to extend his lead at the pinnacle of the Premier League because he plays twice. James Wade, who currently sits fifth, can also ignite his season by taking advantage of two matches in the same night.
Wade kicks off the night against seventh-placed Raymond van Barneveld before Taylor takes on reigning champion Gary Anderson, who can steal top spot with a win. Taylor plays Wade in the final match of the night.
Elsewhere, Michael van Gerwen will aim to end a run of three weeks without a victory against Robert Thornton. Van Gerwen is still just a point behind Taylor, so could finish the week top of the league on leg-difference if results go his way. Thornton, meanwhile, narrowly survived last week's Judgement Night but is a massive eight points off the top four.
Peter Wright will aim to close the gap on Adrian Lewis, who is in fourth-place with 12 points. Wright trails him by two points and four legs so can't afford to hang around if he plans on qualifying for the O2 Arena.
James Wade v Raymond van Barneveld
Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor
Robert Thornton v Michael van Gerwen
Adrian Lewis v Peter Wright
Phil Taylor v James Wade
Watch Premier League Darts from Sheffield on Thursday at 7pm on Sky Sports 2 HD. Or watch live for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
