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Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld are gearing up for a shoot-out in the race for the McCoy’s Premier League semi-finals, as the league stage of the tournament concludes in Newcastle on Thursday Night.

The pair clash in an all-MODUS affair at the Metro Radio Arena, with a place in next week’s Play-Offs at stake.

Wade currently occupies the final Play-Off place but is tied on points with ‘Barney’.

Third placed Adrian Lewis also has twelve points, while Kevin Painter and Andy Hamilton, who also meet in Newcastle, are just a point behind, meaning five players are competing for two available places.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

A win for either ‘The Machine’ or van Barneveld would seal qualification, but a draw would leave their fates in the hands of other results.

“I don’t want to be relying on anybody else, and my aim is to beat Raymond to make sure I’m in the top four,” said 2009 champion Wade.

“It’s exciting that everything we’ve played for in the last three months is coming down to the final league game, and I’m looking forward to playing Raymond.”

Van Barneveld said: “It is exciting and I’ll be giving it my very best. I’m still in the competition but the leg difference could be important and I’m on -11, compared to -6 for James. It’s not always easy to play James. He’s always good against me and I’ve got my hands full.”

Simon Whitlock has already booked his semi-final place at London’s 02 next Thursday. ‘The Wizard’ wants to make sure he stays in second place with a win against Lewis.

He said: “I want to finish has high in the table as possible. It doesn’t really matter whether it’s second or third in terms of the Play-Offs, but I want to finish second and I’ll be going out to win.”

The other match of the night sees top meet bottom as Phil Taylor, who has already qualified, takes on last year’s winner Gary Anderson, who cannot reach the Play-Offs.

By Chris Murphy

League Table

Permutations for MODUS players

Simon Whitlock – Qualified, and needs a point in Newcastle to secure second place.

James Wade – Must win to be sure of Play-Off place, but would still qualify with a draw if Lewis is beaten OR if Hamilton v Painter is a draw.

Raymond van Barneveld – Must win to be sure of Play-Off place, but would still qualify with a draw if Lewis is beaten AND Hamilton v Painter is a draw.

See Simon Whitlock, James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld in action in Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday 2nd June.