RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD is aiming to claim back-to-back televised titles in the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, which will be held on Thursday and Friday.
The Dutch legend picked up the Betway Premier League Darts title last Thursday as he overcame Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen in the Play-Offs at The O2 in London.
He could face both players again in the second staging of the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, having lost out to Dutch rival van Gerwen in the final 12 months ago.
They are joined by Simon Whitlock, Adrian Lewis, Peter Wright, Dave Chisnall and James Wade in the eight-player event at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, with the draw to be made on Wednesday.
"I am really confident at the moment," said van Barneveld, in an appearance on Dubai One TV. "I played a good Premier League and the final was brilliant against Michael, and I was over the moon to win the Premier League.
"Everywhere I come the crowd cheers my name and it would be great to see the Barney Army on Thursday and Friday. Hopefully it's going to be a good tournament."
The tournament is held outside in the tennis stadium, with the stag specially designed to minimise the effect of any gusts of wind - however van Barneveld will deliberately use larger flights on his darts to stabilise his throw.
"Last year I was a bit worried about what my darts might do in the draft at the tennis centre, but in the end I was ok," he reflected.
"Sometimes there was a bit of a draft so I held back a bit and then threw my darts, but if you're a fast player like Michael you're better off because the wind can't [affect] your dart - but I got in the final last year and I'm very curious about who I'll play this time.
"They are all top class players and this could be anyone's tournament, but like I said in the Premier League, if you believe in yourself then you can achieve anything."
The Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters will be shown live on Dubai Sports TV as well as through OSN across the Middle East, Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, Fox Sports in Australia and on Sky New Zealand, as well as online through www.LIVEPDC.TV.
Tickets and Corporate Hospitality tables for the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters can be purchase from Irish Village (+971 (0)4 239 5000) and Time Out Tickets (www.timeouttickets.com).
Coverage on each day will commence at 8pm local time (5pm BST).
Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters
Thursday May 29
8pm-11pm local time
5pm-8pm BST
Quarter-Finals x4
Best of 19 legs
Friday May 30
8pm-11pm local time
5pm-8pm BST
Semi-Finals & Final
Best of 21 legs
TV Coverage:
Sky Sports
Dubai Sports TV
OSN
Fox Sports Australia
Sky New Zealand