Ronnie O'Sullivan wants his Premier League Snooker title back this weekend as the final stages take place, live on Sky Sports.
Rocket gunning for ninth Premier League title in Norfolk
After going through the league stages undefeated, Ronnie O'Sullivan is looking to win back his PartyCasino.com Premier League Snooker title this weekend as the final stages take place, live on
Sky Sports.
O'Sullivan has won six out of the last seven Premier League titles and eight overall, but last year he lost his crown with a shock 7-3 defeat at the hands of Shaun Murphy.
The Rocket is keen to claim his title back, and he was the only player to remain undefeated through the league phase ahead of the semi-finals and final at the Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk.
It is a tough start though, with O'Sullivan taking on reigning World Champion Neil Robertson in the semi-final and a victory would see him face either Murphy or Marco Fu in the final.
Robertson, who lost 5-1 to O'Sullivan in their league match, admits he will have to be on the top of his game to claim a victory.
Top form
"I can't wait for the finals weekend and I've always said I would produce my best form if I got to the finals," said Robertson.
"Ronnie is the favourite for the tournament and he won it for five years before he lost to Shaun last year so is definitely the man to beat.
"Shaun beat him in the final last year and that opened a few people's eyes and you think 'he can be beaten in this format'.
"It gave a lot of confidence to the other players so you know you're now not just competing for second place."
The first semi-final on Saturday night is between two former winners - defending champion Murphy and 2003 winner Fu.
League place
Fu finished second in the league and defeated Murphy 4-2 in their meeting in Preston in September, but the Sale potter was just a place behind and believes the league position does not matter after he clinched the title 12 months ago following a fourth-placed league finish.
"It doesn't matter where you finish in the top four, so finishing top of the league does not make any difference," said Murphy. "This tournament is considered by most players to be the fifth unofficial major in our sport so everyone wants to win it.
"If you get to be in it then it's a massive pat on the back and I'm proud to have been invited into it three times.
"Marco is a past winner of this tournament and knows what the format is all about so it will definitely be a tough match.
"It's going to be very difficult to lift the trophy again but Ronnie did it for five years so it can be done."
All the action will be broadcast live on
Sky Sports 4 from 7.30pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday November 27
Semi-finals:
(First to five frames)
Marco Fu v Shaun Murphy
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Neil Robertson
Sunday November 28
(First to seven frames)
Winner of semi-final 1 v winner of semi-final 2
