Raymond van Barneveld has hailed this season's Premier League Darts as being the 'tightest ever' ahead of his match with league leader Peter Wright.

The five-time world champion, who has drawn his last two games in the competition, is currently third in the league table going into the seventh round of matches in Leeds.

'Barney' faces unbeaten Wright on the back of a 6-6 draw against Robert Thornton, with the Scotsman missing two vital darts to seal victory.

"It's a fantastic competition and you have to be focused every week," Van Barneveld is quoted as saying by PDC.tv. "It's a tough schedule but there are no easy games - every player is so close to each other and it's the tightest Premier League I've been involved in.

"Peter's doing really well. He had a fantastic run in the World Championship and did his himself and his family proud. He's a top-class player, and he's proved that by being undefeated after six weeks in the Premier League, so I'm really focused and looking forward to it.

"It will be fantastic in Leeds. Hopefully the crowd will sing "Barney Army" and I can get a win, but I'll have to play better than I did last week. I'm not happy with my scoring but my finishing has been good."

Four points currently separate seven of the 10 players.