Adrian 'JACKPOT' Lewis
For a man of Adrian Lewis' talents, it is rather bemusing that he has only made it past the group stage of this competition twice in six attempts. Last year was a pit of torment for the former twice world champion, as he only narrowly avoided the newly-made relegation spots, and then fell completely away in the second half of the tournament. It is now two years since Lewis won his second World Championship, and the pressure is visibly increasing on a player who has done little in the way of big tournament wins since, a 2013 victory in the European Championship the most he can manage. Whilst he made the semi-finals of the 2014 World Championship, the manner upon which Van Gerwen swatted him aside (6 sets to nil) will hardly have improved his confidence. A massive test of his character awaits.
Dave 'CHIZZY' Chisnall
Dave Chisnall will be making his debut at this event as one of the six wildcards. Since making the final of the 2013 World Grand Prix in October, his first major PDC final incidentally, Chisnall's endeavours have gone south somewhat. He was soundly beaten 6-0 in that final, before finishing last in his group at the Grand Slam of Darts and then going on to lose in the first round of the World Championship. Does a new tournament herald a new Chisnall? He will certainly hope so at the very least; there's now ample opportunity for him to put a disappointing few weeks past him and stamp his mark again.
'The WARRIOR' Wes Newton
The quiet man of darts, Wes Newton is currently ranked eighth in the world, but he has no major trophies to show for it. The furthest he has mustered is one final appearance each in the UK Open and the European Championship. A quarter-finalist once again in the 2014 World Championship; that now means that Newton has been edged out by one-set scores in four consecutive World Championships. He made his debut in the Premier League last year, but only managed a poor return of two wins in nine matches and was relegated. One foresees a similar struggle this year.
Raymond Van Barneveld 'BARNEY
This tournament is quite possibly the greatest source of disappointment for the popular Dutchman. In his eight previous outings in this event, Barneveld has made the semi-finals six times but never progressed further. Disappointment could well be the word that sums the last year or so up for Barneveld. Since the glory of his victory in the 2012 Grand Slam of Darts, the five-time world champion hasn't added to his majors cabinet any further. This has been further compounded by a drab showing at the 2014 World Championship where he exited tamely at the third-round stage. It seems highly unlikely that Barneveld will ever revisit the glory days of 2007 but, if he is to do just that, this could one of his last chances.