RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD has hailed the importance of last week's Unibet Premier League win over Gerwyn Price as he targets a double date in Rotterdam next month.
The former Premier League champion gave his hopes of avoiding elimination from the tournament on Judgement Night a huge boost with the victory over winless Price in Leeds.
The two points moved him clear of the battle against being knocked out, with Price and Daryl Gurney occupying the Premier League's bottom two spots going into Night Six in Nottingham.
However, Van Barneveld has admitted that the introduction of a second night in his home country - with Rotterdam doubling up to host two events on April 18-19 following the cancellation of the Exeter event - added further pressure to his challenge.
"It was an important two points, especially [after] the PDC announced that Rotterdam is going to have an extra night," said Van Barneveld.
"That is after Judgement Night, so as a Dutchman there's a lot of pressure because you want to be there.
"To get to five points was massive against Gerwyn Price - if I lost, he was on four points and I'm on three and then with the schedule, against Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith it's going to be tough."
Van Barneveld meets two-time Premier League champion Anderson at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on Thursday night in another big clash.
"There's pressure every week and it's tough," he said. "I can't name you any game without pressure, and if you have your chances you have to take them.
"It's the best ten players in the world and we can beat each other every week. To beat the best players in the world everything has to be correct and you can't afford to miss.
"If you keep on winning, you have positive things in your head. I'll still work hard and I'm doing a lot of work to get fitter.
"I was happy with the result last week but I know I have to work even harder now to get in Rotterdam and maybe in the Play-Offs."
Unibet Premier League
Night Six - March 15
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
Michael Smith v Peter Wright
Simon Whitlock v Daryl Gurney
Mensur Suljovic v Rob Cross
Gerwyn Price v Michael van Gerwen
Raymond van Barneveld v Gary Anderson
Tickets via www.motorpointarenanottingham.com and 0843 373 3000