MICHAEL SMITH believes that Thursday's Unibet Premier League clash with Michael van Gerwen will be the biggest test of his form so far this season.
Former World Youth Champion Smith was the early-season pace-setter in the Premier League, although his defeat to Rob Cross in Leeds has allowed reigning champion Van Gerwen to join him at the top of the table.
The pair's meeting at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Thursday night has the ingredients of another classic - with Van Gerwen having achieved a world record average of 123.40 in their previous Premier League contest, in Aberdeen in 2016.
"This game and the game against Gary Anderson were the two I was looking forward to when I got back in the Premier League," said Smith. "I love playing Michael.
"He's one of the nice lads, we have a laugh but when we're playing he gets on with the game. He believes in his ability, the way I do, and hopefully there will be some fireworks this week.
"It could go six-all and be over in ten minutes with how quick it is, but I'm really looking forward to that game.
"I know I'm playing okay, and you want to play the best players in the world to see what else you need to improve on. I'll know that if I lose what I need to work on.
"After the last time I was in the Premier League I was struggling for a few months and I was kindof coming back into form. I was playing in a ProTour event and I said to Gary Anderson that I wanted to play him that day to see where my game was.
"He beat me 6-1, so then I knew what I had to work on. Playing Michael is the same, and I'll know that if I lose what I need to work on."
Thursday will be Smith's first time playing at The SSE Hydro in front of 10,000 fans, and the St Helens ace is relishing the prospect.
"I missed the Glasgow night in 2016 because I played twice in Leeds when Gary was ill," he reflected.
"I want to stay after my match this time and watch Gary play and see what the crowd's like as well.
"I wish I was on stage playing him there, because that's when you hear the fans the most. Even watching it on TV from Glasgow the hairs on your neck stand up and I'm really looking forward to playing there."
A small number of tickets are still available for Thursday's Unibet Premier League at The SSE Hydro, and can be purchased through www.thessehydro.com and 0844 395 4000.
The Unibet Premier League will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from 7pm on Thursday nights and shown worldwide through the PDC's international broadcast partners.
In addition, the Unibet Premier League will feature radio commentary throughout the season on talkSPORT and talkSPORT2. For further details of coverage, please visit www.talksport.co.uk.
Unibet Premier League
Night Seven - March 22
The SSE Hydro, Glasgow
Daryl Gurney v Mensur Suljovic
Michael van Gerwen v Michael Smith
Gary Anderson v Simon Whitlock
Peter Wright v Raymond van Barneveld
Rob Cross v Gerwyn Price
Tickets via www.thessehydro.com and 0844 395 4000