Darts: Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts - Week Ten Preview

JOHN PART admits his Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts play-off hopes could hinge on his double-header in Exeter on Thursday.

Three-time World Champion Part will play twice when the tournament visits the Westpoint Arena for the first time, after Wayne Mardle was forced to pull out of this week^s league night due to a virus.

Part will open proceedings against Mervyn King in Exeter before returning to the stage for the night^s final match, against Jelle Klaasen.

A defeat to Raymond van Barneveld last week left Part two points behind the Dutchman in the race for play-off places, but he hopes to move into the top four with two wins on Thursday.

"Realistically, my season^s hopes lie with the nights results," said Part. "It will be a challenge.

"Playing one game is always tough in any case, but I^ll take them one at a time and adjust my thoughts appropriately for the second match.

"The opportunity to gain four points in one night could have a great impact on my competition."

Part lost 8-2 to King when the pair last met, and had his sights set on a better display in their scheduled fixture before the addition of a second match.

"The game with Mervyn was always important," added Part. "His form seems to reflect the grind of the Premier League and he still seems to be producing wins, which is the main thing for him."

Klaasen came from 5-1 down to claim a point in his previous clash with the Canadian, hitting a 170 in taking the draw - but Part denies it was a point lost.

"I didn^t let him in, he stormed back," he said. "It should be a fun game regardless of the first result of the night, and I^ll look forward to it."

King took an 8-3 win in his clash with James Wade in Glasgow last week, but believes he will have to improve to claim a Premier League double over Part.

"I was just a little bit better than James on the night but it was another two points," said King. "I^ve got to score like I normally do, and I didn^t do that against James.

"John^s finding some form and if I don^t take a point from the match things could start to get a bit dicey.

"It^s looking pretty at the moment but it only takes a couple of weeks where you don^t do it to be under pressure."

Phil Taylor, who is now a point clear of King at the top of the table, meets Terry Jenkins in the night^s second game.

Taylorlost to Jenkins during last year^s campaign and was held to a 7-7 draw when they previously met this season.

"It^s always a hard game against Terry anyway but he^s playing really well at the moment," said Taylor. "His scoring is superb and he seems to have got over his problems with the doubles.

"I^ve won four in a row now and am feeling confident at the moment, so that should make for a cracking game."

The other game of the night sees the players placed third and fourth in the table, James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld, clash.

Wade came from 4-1 down to win 8-4 in their previous meeting, although the Dutchman has since won four out of six matches.

"Since that game I^ve worked hard for myself," said van Barneveld.

"I had to chance and I^ve been going to the gym every day and practising every day on the two-dart finishes, and it^s helped."

Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts

Week Ten - Westpoint Arena, Exeter

John Part v Mervyn King

Phil Taylor v Terry Jenkins

James Wade v Raymond van Barneveld

John Part v Jelle Klaasen

Live on Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports HD2 from 7pm

Boylesports.com Odds

John Part 11/4, Mervyn King 8/13, Draw 4/1

Phil Taylor 1/8, Terry Jenkins 11/1, Draw 8/1

James Wade 5/2, Raymond van Barneveld 8/13, Draw 9/2

John Part 11/10, Jelle Klaasen 11/8, Draw 9/2

Boylesports are the official betting partner of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts

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