Big Night For Klaasen

JELLE KLAASEN admits Thursday's Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts clash will be crucial in the outcome of his campaign.

Klaasen has yet to win in his debut Premier League Darts season, having lost four games since a draw with Terry Jenkins on the opening night last month.

He takes on John Part at the M.E.N. Arena on Thursday night, and believes that a win is vital if he is to stand a chance of reaching May's Play-Offs.

"It's very important," said Klaasen. "If I want to have a chance of making the semi-finals I have to win this game and the next game against Raymond van Barneveld.

"If I beat John and Raymond I will be on five points and anything's possible, but if I lose against John it will be very difficult."

Although he has suffered four successive losses, two have been in a deciding leg, against Wayne Mardle and James Wade, and he went down 8-4 to Mervyn King in Belfast, with an 8-2 reverse to Phil Taylor in week two his other defeat.

"I'm starting to play better and better," added the 24-year-old Dutchman.

"If I'd hit my doubles against Wayne I could have won, I played pretty well against Mervyn but missed doubles and I feel I should have had a draw against James.

"I've not played badly in the last few games, only against Phil, but I've had problems with my doubles.

"With one dart for a double my finishing has been okay but with two or three darts I've been missing.

"Against John, I'll have to hit my trebles and doubles!"

A limited number of tickets remain on sale for Thursday's Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts - call 0844 847 8000 or visit the M.E.N. Arena Box Office for more details

Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Six - M.E.N. Arena, Manchester
Raymond van Barneveld v Mervyn King
Jelle Klaasen v John Part
Terry Jenkins v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Wayne Mardle

Watch live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1 from 7pm

Listen to live audio commentary and see match highlights in PDCtv

Click here to purchase the official Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Programme