PHIL TAYLOR is bidding to continue his winning streak when he takes on James Wade as the 888.com Premier League Darts visits The Brighton Centre on Thursday night.
Taylor has won all five matches since suffering a defeat to Adrian Lewis on the opening night of the tournament, and he also hit two 113 averages in taking victory in the RTL7 International Masters over the weekend.
His defeat of Simon Whitlock when the Premier League Darts visited Glasgow last Thursday, coupled with defeat for Gary Anderson, means that Taylor now sits two points clear at the top of the table ahead of his clash with Wade.
"I was delighted with how I played in Holland and it was a great tournament for me, but Thursday is a new day and I'll have to perform well again," said Taylor, who hit two nine-dart finishes in winning last year's final against the left-hander.
"James has been getting slowly back to his best and he always lifts his game when we play, so I'm excited by it.
"It's great to be top of the table because it means I'm playing well and winning, but the objective is to win enough points to make sure I'm in the play-offs in May so I can't ease up against James."
Wade picked up his second win in six Premier League games with a defeat of Terry Jenkins in Glasgow last week, and has defeated Taylor in both the 2008 and 2009 Premier League seasons as well as in the final of the 2010 Championship League Darts.
"Just because I've had success against Phil before doesn't mean it's going to automatically happen again and I know the size of the challenge on Thursday," said Wade.
"I've been playing well in patches but it's up to me now to put it together for a full match."
World Champion Lewis plays Terry Jenkins, while both Mark Webster and Simon Whitlock are aiming to end two-game losing runs when they clash in the night's opening game at The Brighton Centre.
The other contest in Brighton sees five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld meet Gary Anderson in a meeting of the two players sat locked on eight points behind Taylor in the league tables.
"Barney's playing well and reached the final in Holland at the weekend, so I know it's going to be very tough," said Anderson.
"Although I've lost my last two matches, I played quite well in Holland at the weekend I'll give it my best shot on Thursday."
Only a handful of tickets remain for Thursday's 888.com Premier League Darts, and are available on 0844 847 1515 or via www.brightoncentre.co.uk.
Coverage is live on Sky Sports HD1 from 7pm and live to PDCtv Subscribers (outside of the UK & Ireland) PDCtv.
888.com Premier League Darts
Week Seven - The Brighton Centre
Mark Webster v Simon Whitlock
Adrian Lewis v Terry Jenkins
Raymond van Barneveld v Gary Anderson
Phil Taylor v James Wade
Tickets: 0844 847 1515 or www.brightoncentre.co.uk
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