JAMES WADE believes he can end Phil Taylor's unbeaten run in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts at the Sheffield Arena on Thursday night - and more importantly feels the world number one has the same opinion.
Taylor has won eight and drawn one of his opening nine games in this year's Premier League and, barring a disastrous final five weeks, is likely to enter the play-offs on May 23 at Wembley top of the table.
While reigning champion Wade has been disappointing at times during the Premier League, two wins in his last three matches have moved him to the brink of the top four.
Left-hander Wade has also defeated Taylor in the past two seasons of the Premier League, and believes that the 15-time World Champion will fear facing him in Sheffield.
"People talk about how Phil is playing and to his credit he keeps doing it, week in week out and year in year out," said Wade. "He'll be ready to do what he does, but I'll be prepared for him.
"I believe, deep down, he knows that I'm going to perform against him.
"I know I should be going on stage and averaging 105 or 106 in every single game.
"When you go up there and average below 100 it's disappointing, compared to what the other top players are doing, and I've done too much of that in the Premier League this year.
"Things are turning round for me and hopefully I will perform to the best of my ability against Phil on Thursday, because there's no reason why I shouldn't."
Tickets for the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts at the Sheffield Arena are still available from the Sheffield Arena Box Office on 0114 256 5656 or from www.sheffieldarena.co.uk.
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Ten - Sheffield Arena
Terry Jenkins v Adrian Lewis
Ronnie Baxter v Mervyn King
James Wade v Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld v Simon Whitlock
Tickets: 0114 256 5656 or www.sheffieldarena.co.uk
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