PLAYERS with 15 world titles between them will be taking to the green baize in Kidderminster tonight as the PartyPoker.com Premier League hots up.

The final round-robin matches take place at the town’s Glades Arena from 6pm as players battle for a place in next month’s play-offs.

Three matches are in store for fans with current league leader Mark Selby, ranked four in the world, taking on Joe Perry for starters.

Next up is seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry against Chinese ace Ding Junhui, followed by six-time world champion Steve Davis against John Higgins, who won the second of his Crucible crowns in 2007.

Hendry needs a point against world number 11 Junhui to secure the final last-four berth and join Selby, Perry and reigning world supremo Ronnie O’Sullivan for a shot at the £50,000 first prize.

“It’s not been my best campaign in the league but I know what I have to do to qualify,” Hendry said. “A win or a draw would do it and I’m confident that I have enough to achieve that and move forward to the semi-finals.”

Selby said: “This is something new to me. I’ve not really experienced it before but it’s been really good.

“I’ve enjoyed all the hype of it and hopefully I can do really well in the league to maintain my place in it next year.”

World number 12 Perry said: “For my first year in the event I didn’t know what to expect but I’ve really enjoyed it and got some great results.

“Hopefully, there will be some more to come and I can make a mark at the play-offs.”

Davis and Higgins are yet to win a match in this season’s competition and cannot qualify for December’s play-offs.

BBC pundit Davis, 51, has played in every Premier League campaign since its formation in 1987 but needs a return to form if he is to extend his record in the invitation event.

It is the second time the prestigious event has visited Worcestershire this season following an earlier round of matches at Malvern’s Forum Theatre.

On that occasion, O’Sullivan thrashed Junhui 6-0, while world number four Selby recorded the same scoreline against Davis.

Tonight’s matches are the best of six frames with players earning a £1,000 bonus for each frame won and an extra grand for a century break.

Now entering its 23rd season, the Premier League is the world’s only major snooker tournament played to a league format and is broadcast live on Sky Sports.

The doors open at 5pm and tickets cost £16.

The Bromsgrove Street venue’s box office can be contacted on 01562-515151.