The Premier League Darts weekly rounds comes to a close on Thursday in Newcastle with five players fighting it out for the final two play-off places.
The tightest-ever Play-Off race sees World Champion Adrian Lewis, 2009 Premier League winner James Wade, Dutch favourite Raymond van Barneveld and this year's two newcomers Kevin Painter and Andy Hamilton all still in contention to reach next week's semi-finals.
Phil Taylor and Simon Whitlock are already assured of a place at the O2 in a fortnight, while Gary Anderson will not be there to defend his title as he is already out of the running.
Lewis knows that a win from his clash with Whitlock would guarantee him a Play-Off place, and Wade faces van Barneveld in another key contest, while the winner of the game between Painter and Hamilton could also sneak into the top four.
The World Champion opens up the night against the resilient Aussie in a match that promises to be a high scoring and highly entertaining affair.
Despite not registering a win for three weeks, Lewis occupies pole position adnnd knows that his destiny is in his own hands.
"I love pressure and I've always said that I'm a pressure player, so I've a chance to prove that now on Thursday," said Lewis.
"It's been the best Premier League ever and if I don't qualify then it's down to me - but if I can beat Simon this week then I deserve to be in the top four."
Whitlock has been superb throughout the competition, but is also looking to avoid three straight defeats as he looks to gather momentum going into finals night.
Few would have predicted that Andy Hamilton and Kevin Painter would both be in with a chance of making the play-offs come the final week, but the gritty debutants have taken the tournament in their stride and still have it all to play for.
Both currently stand on 11 points and must win and rely on other results if they are to sneak in the coveted play-offs. The loser however would stand an outside chance of being relegated to the foot of the table should Gary Anderson, defeat Phil Taylor later in the evening.
"I need the results to go with me, but if I win in Newcastle then we'll see what happens," said Painter. "I'm loving being in the Premier League and it's an unbelievable experience, and like Andy I'll fight right to the end.
Hamilton picked up an 8-4 win over Whitlock in Birmingham last week and will be full of confidence going into the game on the back of a four-match unbeaten run.
"I did my bit last week but both Kevin and I know it's out of our hands. I'll keep fighting for every leg, like I've done throughout the season, and we're fighting not just for a Play-Off place but also for positions because neither one of us wants to be remembered for finishing bottom," said The Hammer.
Van Barneveld's game with Wade is set to be the night's crucial fixture, with the Dutchman knowing that he is likely to need a victory to win a Play-Off spot.
The duo have played out some thrilling ties in recent years and their latest looks set to follow suit, with both desperate to appear at the O2.
The Newcastle faithful are likely to give Barney his usual partizan backing and the Dutchman is known to deliver in pressure situations.
"It is exciting and I'll be giving it my very best," said van Barneveld. "I'm still in the competition but the leg difference could be important and I'm on -11, compared to -6 for James.
"It's not always easy to play James. He's always good against me and I've got my hands full," he added.
Wade may only need a draw to win his semi-final place, depending on other results, but said: "I don't want to be relying on anybody else, and my aim's to beat Raymond to make sure I'm in the top four."
Fifteen-time world champion Phil Taylor and 2011 champion Gary Anderson round off the night, with both looking to end the regular season on a high, despite the game baaring no significance towards the play-off race.
Table-topping Taylor has returned to the top of his form over the campaign and will be out to send a clear message to the other qualifiers that he is the man to beat.
The Flying Scotsman will no doubt be looking to avenge his 8-1 drubbing to Taylor last time around and avoid finishing bottom of the pile.
The Power has dropped only three points throughout his 13 games so far, all of them to rival Adrian Lewis, and averaged 116 in defeating Wade 8-1 in Birmingham a week ago.
"I won't be relaxing on Thursday and I want to go into the Play-Offs with another good performance under my belt," said Taylor.
"You can't relax because players breed on confidence, so if you go up there and lose they'll be confident that they'd going to beat you the next time that you play.
The action gets underway at 7pm on Thursday, with matches played over the best of 14 legs and streamed live from the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle.
Week 14 - Order of play
May 10 - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
7.10pm Adrian Lewis 11/10 v Simon Whitlock 13/10 (draw 9/2)
8.00pm Andy Hamilton 11/10 v Kevin Painter 13/10 (draw 9/2)
8.45pm Raymond van Barneveld 13/10 v James Wade 11/10 (draw 9/2)
9.30pm Gary Anderson 9/2 v Phil Taylor 1/4 (draw 8/1)
Match odds courtesy of Bet365
Betting Tip:
A £10 treble for Adrian Lewis, Andy Hamilton and Phil Taylor to win their matches pays £55 with
Bet365.
