MICHAEL VAN GERWEN and James Wade are currently battling for the third and fourth spots in the PDC Order of Merit - but are both looking higher in the rankings as they bid to overtake Adrian Lewis.
The talented pair clash in the McCoy's Premier League Darts on Thursday night in Glasgow, as van Gerwen bids to retain his lead at the top of the table against fourth-placed Wade.
The game comes in the midst of the pair's battle in the PDC Order of Merit, which has seen the Dutch ace - last year's World Grand Prix champion - jump ahead of the seven-time major winner.
Van Gerwen's rise has continued with his run to the World Championship final - where he overcame Wade in the semis - and three PDC ProTour wins already this year.
Van Gerwen currently sits third on £344,500 prize money won in the past two years, with Wade behind him on £338,100.
However, the pair are refusing to be drawn into a battle about themselves - instead aiming to concentrate on the battle to overtake second-placed Adrian Lewis, who sits on £352,900 in the Order of Merit.
"I'm battling for second and third place with Adrian Lewis now," smiled van Gerwen, when asked about his joust with Wade. "You always need to above you, not below, it's as simple as that.
"I'm a few thousand pounds ahead of James in the rankings, but I'm looking at Phil Taylor, and he is about £400,000 ahead of me so I need to catch him up and it could take a while!
"If I put in some good results, then the rankings come with that and I think I'm doing well."
Wade, whose most recent major title came at the 2011 UK Open, replied: "We all know Michael can play well but I think the hype's funny.
"He has jumped above me and there is rivalry because he's number three and I'm number four, but the only reason I'm where I am in the rankings is because I didn't play well for a year and I haven't found my stride yet.
"I think I should be number two in the world - I really do believe that, but there are two or three other players who think that they should be number two as well because Adrian's already there and Simon Whitlock's not far behind us."
| Current PDC Top Five | |
| Phil Taylor | £757,500 |
| Adrian Lewis | £352,900 |
| Michael van Gerwen | £344,500 |
| James Wade | £338,100 |
| Simon Whitlock | £272,000 |
McCoy's Premier League Darts
Week Eight
March 28 – SECC, Glasgow
Adrian Lewis v Andy Hamilton
Simon Whitlock v Robert Thornton
Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld
Gary Anderson v Wes Newton
Michael van Gerwen v James Wade