RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD believes that the current Betway Premier League Darts season is the closest he has been involved in, as he prepares to face Peter Wright in Leeds.
The Dutch star travels to the First Direct Arena in third place in the Premier League table, having picked up eight points from his opening six matches in the tournament.
He takes on unbeaten league leader Wright in Leeds, with the Scot having enjoyed a brilliant debut campaign so far - and with only four points separating seven of the ten players, the Dutchman admits that nothing can be taken for granted.
"It's a fantastic competition and you have to be focused every week," said van Barneveld. "It's a tough schedule but there are no easy games - every player is so close to each other and it's the tightest Premier League I've been involved in.
"Peter's doing really well. He had a fantastic run in the World Championship and did his himself and his family proud.
"He's a top class player, and he's proved that by being undefeated after six weeks in the Premier League, so I'm really focused and looking forward to it."
Van Barneveld has drawn with Dave Chisnall and Robert Thornton in the past two weeks, but is hoping that his status as a crowd favourite can spur him to victory in front of almost 11,000 fans in Leeds.
"It will be fantastic in Leeds," added the five-time World Champion. "Hopefully the crowd will sing "Barney Army" and I can get a win, but I'll have to play better than I did last week.
"I'm not happy with my scoring but my finishing has been good."
Van Barneveld took victory in the pair's only previous televised clash, edging a 9-8 win in the last 16 of the 2012 UK Open after Wright had burst his score on 138 in the deciding leg, allowing the Dutchman in to take out double 12 to claim the win.
"Raymond's a fantastic player and a five-time World Champion," Wright said. "I owe him a couple from a few previous events, including the UK Open a couple of years ago when I burst my score on 138 in the last leg and gifted him the game.
"That won't be happening again - if I get the chance I'll be making sure I take it out properly!"