RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD is expecting a tight battle for Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts play-off places.
The Dutchman sits fifth in the league table going into the seventh league night of this year's competition in Brighton on Thursday night.
While he picked up just one point from the opening three weeks, he has claimed two wins and a draw since and takes on fellow countryman Jelle Klaasen in Brighton.
Although his return to form has propelled him up the table, he acknowledges that the battle for play-off spots - with Mervyn King, James Wade, Phil Taylor and John Part the current top four - is greater than ever.
"I didn't start very well in the Premier League but in the first three weeks I had the other players from the top four of the PDC, Phil Taylor, John Part and James Wade," he said.
"I'm very pleased with how I've done since.
"I beat Mervyn last week and he's done very well in the early weeks, Phil has done well and James has too, so it's going to be very hard to get one of the four play-off places."
Van Barneveld enjoyed a superb 8-3 win over King in Manchester a week ago, having recently stepped up his practice and fitness regime in a bid to regain his best form.
"I still remember my first year in the Premier League, when I thought everything was great but it's amazing now - a different competition," he said.
"Back then we were in smaller venues but it's now 4,000 people every week.
"You want to be in this competition, this is the reason you want to play darts, and I'm very happy to be a part of it.
"For the last three or four months I wasn't myself but now I feel like I'm Barney again and doing very well. I lost a couple of games but I'm still averaging well.
"I'm happy and focused. I was pleased with the way I was finishing against Mervyn and very happy with my performance."
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Seven - Brighton Centre
Mervyn King v Terry Jenkins
Wayne Mardle v James Wade
Raymond van Barneveld v Jelle Klaasen
Phil Taylor v John Part
Live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1 from 7pm
Listen to live audio commentary and see match highlights in PDCtv - click here for PDCtv
Click here to purchase the official Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Programme