GARY ANDERSON is looking forward to renewing his rivalry with Adrian Lewis as the Betway Premier League Darts visits Aberdeen on Thursday.
The high-scoring duo clashed in the 2011 Premier League Darts final, as Scottish ace Anderson tasted glory by lifting the trophy in his debut season in the event.
The triumph also saw Anderson avenge his defeat to Lewis in the 2011 World Championship final, with the Scot having averaged over 100 in every game leading up to the Alexandra Palace decider only to fall victim to the Stoke ace's nine-darter.
With the pair vying for a Betway Premier League Darts Play-Off spot - sitting a point behind fourth-placed Phil Taylor - Anderson is hoping that he can continue his own resurgence in form by claiming victory over his great rival.
"Adrian's a good lad and we get on great, and if we can both play well it will be a cracking game," said Anderson. "When we're on-song it's a special game, and we go back a few years too.
"In the World Championship I was in top form for most of the tournament and I slacked off in the final and he won it!
"Then I went on and won the Premier League final against him, which was sweet and it's a great honour to be on my CV.
"My game still isn't close to where I was then. It's going alright but I'm still not 100 percent happy with my game up on stage.
"The 180s had disappeared but they're creeping back slowly and my finishing's going alright."
As the first Scot to play in Premier League Darts three years ago, Anderson has tasted the Aberdeen atmosphere three times previously in the event, and admits that the visits to the GE Oil & Gas Arena is always special.
"Aberdeen's brilliant and the fans up there really can sing," he added. "They're probably the loudest fans we see in the Premier League and it will be a great night.
"Hopefully they can give Adrian the respect he deserves because he's a good friend of mine and a top, top player."
Having become a father less than a fortnight ago, Anderson had not thrown a dart in the build-up to last week's Premier League night in Sheffield - but a 7-4 win over Peter Wright added a double celebration to the birth of son Tai.
"The baby was the only thing I had worrying me this year, because we knew it was going fall on this time," said Anderson, whose son had initially been due on the night the Premier League visited Dublin. "He's here now and he's alright.
"It's 14 years since I changed a nappy, so you forget how to do it! You forget what hard work it is too - we're away on the road a lot so my partner Rachel will be shattered for the next couple of months until he gets into a pattern.
"I've got to do my bit around the home now, but I'm practising when I can. In the week before Sheffield I didn't throw a dart, but I'm having a big push to make the top four.
"The year's been going well so far, and I'm scoring well and hitting my finishes, so life's good!"
Betway Premier League Darts
Week 11
April 17, GE Gas & Oil Arena, Aberdeen
Gary Anderson v Adrian Lewis
Michael van Gerwen v Phil Taylor
Peter Wright v Dave Chisnall
Robert Thornton v Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis
Tickets: SOLD OUT