RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD is hoping that Scottish support can propel him to victory over Michael van Gerwen in their all-Dutch Betway Premier League clash on Thursday.
The reigning Premier League champion has picked up three points from his two matches since van Gerwen claimed a 7-2 win when the duo last met, in Dublin last month.
Van Barneveld becomes the latest player to attempt to end van Gerwen's unbeaten run this season when they meet at a GE Oil & Gas Arena on Thursday, and the five-time World Champion is hoping to be cheered to victory by a sell-out crowd.
"I hope the Scots will support me," he said. "It's like a home game for me and the fans there, like in Ireland, Wales, England, Germany and Holland, are fantastic.
"I'm fighting to get into that top four and I still believe it can be done. There are some unbelievable talents but I'm still alive in the competition
"The last four weeks have been okay, I've had three ton-plus averages and won five points."
Van Barneveld partnered van Gerwen to victory in the PDC World Cup of Darts last June and has seen the youngster progress to become world number one over the past decade - and is relishing their national rivalry.
"The last four or five times I've played him, he's played unbelievable matches - I was leading 9-7 in The Masters last year and lost 10-9!" said van Barneveld, who completed a league double over Phil Taylor last week.
"He's simply unbelievable and fair play to him - he's a fantastic guy and a good kid and I can enjoy the way he's playing.
"Michael's in amazing form at the moment and hopefully I can have a good game against him. I showed last week that if you give me chances I can take them."
Betway Premier League
Night 11, Thursday April 16
GE Oil & Gas Arena, Aberdeen
Dave Chisnall v Phil Taylor
Stephen Bunting v Adrian Lewis
James Wade v Gary Anderson
Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen
Stephen Bunting v Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld - Betway Premier League Week Ten Video Reaction