Darts draws the crowds for O2 showpiece

Taylor failed to make yesterday's press conference at the venue, but "The Power", who won the first four Premier League titles before being deposed by James Wade last year, should be in action tonight against Simon Whitlock, who he beat in this year's world final.

The event, the first of a series to be played across the country, sees the top eight players in the PDC branch of the sport play each other in a league format, with the winner of May's finals night picking up a cheque for £125,000.

Competition will be fierce as there is professional pride, as well as a hefty payday, to play for. With the likes of Terry Morgan, Mervyn King and Ronnie Baxter, all taking to the oche it promises to be a memorable evening for arrows fans.

Also in action tonight is Dutch master Raymond van Barneveld. He spoke to The Wharf about why the Premier League is the place to be for the top players.

He said: "The World Championship used to be the most important tournament for me, but now it's the Premier League.

"The crowds you get in the World Championship, 3,000 at the Alexandra Palace, is nothing compared to this. It will be 10,000 here.

"Why is the tournament making this possible? It's because the best players in the world are involved. If you go to the World Championship, every single day it's one of your favourite players playing, but here it's all the best players. That's why people buy tickets."

Barney will have his work cut out to win his first Premier League title, particularly as he faces defending champion Wade this evening. He is under no illusions about the standard of darts he will need to produce.

He said: "The guys now are of an unbelievable standard. Adrian Lewis played very well in the World Championships, averaging 104 in four matches.

"Phil, of course, Simon Whitlock, Terry Jenkins, James Wade, Mervyn King - they are all great players, so it's going to be a final every single week so you have to improve yourself.

"There are no easy matches. Every week is a final. You have to play your best game every week."

The 2007 PDC world champion had a health scare before Christmas when he was diagnosed with type two diabetes. It affected his form and brought on depression, but he has been working hard to regain his fitness.

He said: "I'm much better. I lost five kilos, I eat healthier now and go to the gym three times a week. I need to take 20 kilos off in one month and I have to go very slowly, but I'm on the diet now and I'm feeling more comfortable.

"I'm not as depressed as I was and I'm focused to play good Premier League. My first target is to go to the semis again. After that I hope to be in the final for the first time after five years trying."

One major obstacle to him achieving that ambition is the seemingly unstoppable Taylor, who won his 15th world crown in January. Although van Barneveld is ranked second in the world, he acknowledged there is a huge gulf between Taylor and him.

He said: "There's no sign of him weakening. The man is playing his best darts of the last two years. He was always good but what he's doing in the last 18 months is just ridiculous, you can't compete with him.

"In Holland he played a competition over five matches, averaging 111. Well, what can you do? He's so good in his finishing and his scoring.

"People don't understand but if you want to break his throw you have to hit a 12-darter because he's always out in 15.

"If he hits 12 darts you have to hit nine, so it's almost impossible."

But with hot favourite Taylor potentially weakened by illness it could open the door for a surprise result tonight. But whatever happens it's likely to be magic darts all round.

Tonight's high profile event coincides with the launch of a new online guide detailing the pubs in central London where punters can play the game.

The guide's author, Justin Irwin, hopes it will encourage people to take up the game, which is fast disappearing in pubs across the capital as landlords look to maximise drinking space and worry about health and safety issues.

He said: "I went to a pub to play and the barman told me that darts had been banned due to health and safety.

"Large scale organised national darts began in London in the 1920s and the board used throughout the world is known as the London board.

"But at this rate darts in London pubs will have vanished before its 100th birthday."

To see the guide visit bachelorofdarts.com/london-darts-pubs

Tonight's Premier League matches, which will be shown live on Sky Sports, start at 7.10pm.

Order of play:

Ronnie Baxter v Terry Jenkins

Mervyn King v Adrian Lewis

Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade

Simon Whitlock v Phil Taylor

For tickets visit theo2.co.uk.