ADRIAN LEWIS is looking to pile the misery on reigning Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts champion James Wade when the pair clash at the Westpoint Arena in Exeter tomorrow.
World number three Wade, who claimed his fourth major title with victory in last year's Premier League, has lost his opening three matches this season and is two points adrift at the foot of the table.
A defeat to Lewis in Exeter would leave Wade at least four points adrift of the play-off places and further damage his own hopes of retaining the title.
However, Lewis will travel to the Westpoint Arena in no mood to give Wade a helping hand to kick-start his season.
"All I can look at is beating James and moving up the table," said Lewis. "I'm going to be putting a lot of work in to make sure I'm ready for him.
"I think it will be an entertaining game on Thursday and I'm really looking forward to it.
"If I can win and keep him bottom then that's good for me, because my aim is to qualify in the top four."
Wade has lost to his rivals in the world's top four, Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld and Mervyn King, in his opening Premier League games, and Lewis has sympathy with the tough start the left-hander has faced.
"James probably feels he shouldn't be bottom but if you're not performing that's how it goes," he said. "I'm not really surprised with the results.
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"If I can win and keep him bottom then that's good for me," Adrian Lewis |
"Phil Taylor won his first couple of games with nothing more than a 94 average, while other players are averaging higher but losing.
"You've just got to prepare, take care of your own game and hopefully you get the results you deserve.
"I lost to Terry Jenkins last week and my performance was patchy - I had a decent average but he took out a couple of really good finishes at big times in the game. I think I can turn James over and think I'm ready."
Wade picked up just one point in his opening two games in last season's Premier League before winning seven of his final ten to finish second in the league table.
The 26-year-old, though, admits he will have to improve his performances if he is to repeat that success over the next two months.
"I'm annoyed with myself really," said Wade. "Last year I had a slow start, although not as bad as this, but it's up to me to turn it around.
"I've made it hard for myself with my performances and hopefully this week I will turn up and play my best darts.
"Adrian's going to play well. I always enjoy playing him and it will be a good game between us."
The meeting of Lewis and Wade will kick off Thursday's Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts in Exeter, which begins at 7pm.
Ronnie Baxter faces Australian Simon Whitlock in the second game, 2009 runner-up Mervyn King takes on Terry Jenkins and the clash between Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld will complete the night.
A number of tickets for Thursday's Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts at the Westpoint Arena remain on sale, priced at £20 and available on 0844 99 99 55 or from www.ticketzone.co.uk.
Fans outside of the UK and Ireland can watch the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts LIVE online in PDCtv - click here for more information
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Four - Westpoint Arena, Exeter
James Wade v Adrian Lewis
Ronnie Baxter v Simon Whitlock
Mervyn King v Terry Jenkins
Raymond van Barneveld v Phil Taylor
Tickets: 0844 99 99 55 or www.ticketzone.co.uk