SIMON WHITLOCK has praised the return to top form of Raymond van Barneveld ahead of their clash in the McCoy's Premier League Darts on Thursday.
Van Barneveld has bounced back from the disappointment of his straight sets defeat to James Richardson at the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship strongly in the first part of 2012.
The Dutchman - a five-time World Champion - sits third in the Premier League Darts table and could move above Whitlock with a victory over the Australian on Thursday in Bournemouth.
Van Barneveld also hit a nine-dart finish and won both Speedy Services UK Open Qualifiers held in Barnsley last weekend - coming from 3-0 down to defeat Whitlock 6-5 on his way to Saturday's title.
The Australian said: "We all love Raymond and it makes darts interesting again with him playing well.
"Barney is a five-time World Champion and he had a bad couple of years, but it is good to see him play well again.
"Every time we play it's a ding-dong battle. We've put on some good shows in the last couple of years and I think this will be another."
Whitlock himself has impressed with a pair of victories and two ton-plus averages since losing 8-0 to James Wade in Cardiff last month - and has taken second place in the table on 12 points.
However, he refuses to rest on his laurels as he bids to win a Premier League Play-Off place next month.
"Every week is big from now on - every point or two points is very big," added Whitlock.
"I think I need four more points to make sure I make the semis because I think I need a minimum of 15 points."
McCoy's Premier League Darts
Week 11 - BIC, Bournemouth
Raymond van Barneveld v Simon Whitlock
Gary Anderson v Kevin Painter
James Wade v Andy Hamilton
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis
Tickets: Sold Out
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