CURRENT McCoy's Premier League Darts leader Phil Taylor meets World Championship finalist Andy Hamilton as the tournament visits Glasgow's SECC on Thursday night.
Taylor extended his lead at the top of the Premier League table to three points with an 8-1 win over Gary Anderson last week, and is the league's only unbeaten player following five rounds of matches.
The 15-time World Champion also hit two nine-dart finishes in Players Championship events last weekend to continue his run of form, which he is looking to extend in Glasgow.
"I'm delighted with how I'm playing at the moment," said Taylor. "Playing so well reinforces that what I'm doing in preparation with my practice, fitness and diet is working.
"It should be a good battle with Andy and I always enjoy playing him. He's had a brilliant year and did superbly to reach the World Championship final, and it's great to see him in the Premier League."
Hamilton is one of three Stoke-born players in the Premier League, alongside Taylor and World Champion Adrian Lewis, and is excited by the chance to take their local rivalry onto the big stage.
"I aspire to be where Phil and Adrian are and to have what they've got in their game," said Hamilton. "We've spent a lot of time together and get on really well, and I want to do what they've done in their careers."
Lewis - who drew his first three games but is now the only player without a victory - faces a crucial game with 2009 Premier League champion James Wade in Glasgow.
Wade allowed a 5-1 sets lead to slip when he last faced Lewis, in the World Championship semi-finals, and is determined not to allow the Stoke ace to move off the bottom of the table this week after winning his last two games.
"The tide is turning," said Wade. "My confidence is there as much as ever but I'm thinking far too much about the game.
"It's starting to feel good in patches - I felt brilliant for three or four legs last week but then shut off. That's how I'm playing at the moment but I've got to keep my foot on the gas."
Scotland's Gary Anderson meets Simon Whitlock on home soil in Glasgow, and is hoping to give a sell-out crowd plenty to cheer despite being defeated by Taylor a week ago.
"I love playing in Scotland and can't wait for Thursday because the crowd always give me a lift with their support," said Anderson.
"I was disappointed with how I played last week against Phil but I was better in the Players Championships at the weekend and hopefully I can play well against Simon."
Whitlock impressed in his win over Lewis last week in Brighton, and could move second in the table if he defeats Anderson and silences the home support.
"It's going to be tough," said the Australian. "I played Phil Taylor in Exeter with the crowd on his side and it didn't affect me, and hopefully against Gary it won't.
"He's a strange player. He can be the best player in the world on his night. I only beat him once last year - in the World Championship - and every other time we played he was unbelievable against me, so I'll have to play well on Thursday."
The night's other game sees five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld meet Players Champion Kevin Painter, who picked up his third win of the season in Brighton last Thursday.
"Raymond's got a pretty good record against me but I'm looking forward to Thursday night," said Painter. "It's great to see Raymond playing so well this year and I'll be up for it.
"The Scottish crowds are brilliant, they get behind the players and I'll get up there and try to do a job against Raymond. My finishing has been good so far and that will be important again on Thursday."
The McCoy's Premier League Darts will be shown live on Sky Sports 1HD from 7pm on Thursday night.
LIVEPDC.TV International Pass subscribers (outside of the UK, Ireland & Holland) can watch LIVE coverage in LIVEPDC.TV - click here to visit LIVEPDC.TV.
McCoy's Premier League Darts
Week Six
March 15 - SECC, Glasgow
James Wade v Adrian Lewis
Gary Anderson v Simon Whitlock
Phil Taylor v Andy Hamilton
Raymond van Barneveld v Kevin Painter
Tickets: SOLD OUT
Week Six Match Odds, courtesy of www.williamhill.com
James Wade v Adrian Lewis
6/5 James Wade
4/1 Draw
6/5 Adrian Lewis
Gary Anderson v Simon Whitlock
8/11 Gary Anderson
9/2 Draw
2/1 Simon Whitlock
Phil Taylor v Andy Hamilton
1/7 Phil Taylor
7/1 Draw
9/1 Andy Hamilton
Raymond van Barneveld v Kevin Painter
8/13 Raymond van Barneveld
4/1 Draw
5/2 Kevin Painter
William Hill are the official betting partner of the McCoy's Premier League Darts.
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