RONNIE BAXTER bids to inflict Phil Taylor's first defeat in the 2010 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts when they meet at the S.E.C.C. in Glasgow on Thursday.
Taylor sits five points clear in the Premier League table having gone through the first eight weeks of the season unbeaten so far.
Baxter, though, allowed Taylor to come from 4-0 down to take an 8-6 victory when the pair met in Bournemouth earlier this year, and is determined to follow through in taking victory this time out.
"I've put the game in Bournemouth behind me now and I'm joint second in the league, but I'm looking forward to playing Phil.
"I might have to see if he can come back from me being 5-0 up this time - I've gone 3-0 up against him and lost in the past, I did 4-0 in Bournemouth and blew it, so we'll see what happens in Glasgow. I'll be pushing to win by whatever score I can."
Taylor and Baxter have enjoyed many duels on the oche during their careers, and the world number one has been impressed by his rival's return to the top six of the PDC Order of Merit.
"Ronnie and myself started our careers around the same time and this is probably the best I've seen him play," said Taylor.
"If I don't play like I can on Thursday he'll beat me. He led 4-0 last time we played and I can't afford to do that again.
"I've been a bit slow starting this season as it takes me a couple of legs to get used to the stage because the environment is different to the practice room, but I'm handling it pretty well so far."
The night in Glasgow could prove crucial for the play-off hopes of some other players, with Adrian Lewis and Simon Whitlock - joint fourth on seven points at present - facing the league's bottom two players, Raymond van Barneveld and Terry Jenkins.
Lewis produced a stunning display to defeat van Barneveld 8-3 in Bournemouth in week two, averaging over 105, and overcame reigning champion James Wade last week.
"It was important to win last week and if I can win my next couple of games I've got a great chance of reaching the play-offs," said Lewis. "I know I've got to hit my doubles against Barney and not give him chances."
The night's other game sees left-hander Wade take on Mervyn King, who currently sits in joint second place and enjoyed two big wins over the world number three last season.
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Nine - S.E.C.C., Glasgow
Raymond van Barneveld v Adrian Lewis
Simon Whitlock v Terry Jenkins
Ronnie Baxter v Phil Taylor
Mervyn King v James Wade
Live on Sky Sports HD1 and Sky Sports 1 from 7pm
Fans outside the UK & Ireland can watch live in PDCtv - click here for further information
Sky Bet offer a range of in-play markets throughout the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts - click here to visit the Sky Bet website
Match Odds
Raymond van Barneveld 6/4, Draw 7/2, Adrian Lewis 21/20
Simon Whitlock 8/11, Draw 7/2, Terry Jenkins 9/4
Ronnie Baxter 11/1, Draw 13/2, Phil Taylor 1/8
Mervyn King 5/4, Draw 7/2, James Wade 5/4
Match Odds correct at 1pm on Wednesday April 7 and courtesy Sky Bet, the official bookmaker of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts.