Taylor hit the highest average in Premier League history with his staggering 117.35 in an 8-4 win over Simon Whitlock in Exeter last week, which came on the back of him hitting a nine-dart finish in Aberdeen.

Throw in two other 112-plus averages this season and it's no wonder Taylor is unbeaten as he heads to the Brighton Centre and a clash with defending champion Anderson.

"I'm looking to keep improving," said Taylor. "Everything I'm doing's working well at the moment and I was delighted last week, but I know I've got to play well again against Gary.

"He's a world-class player and he's come back into form, so I'll have to try and get on top of him early on. Games like this, when you're playing a player at the top of their game, is where the big averages and nine-darters come."

Flying Scotsman

Since losing to Kevin Painter on the opening night of the season, Anderson has won three successive games and saw off world champion Adrian Lewis 8-1 in his last game in Exeter last Thursday.

"I'm pleased with how my game's coming back but I'll have to be at my best in Brighton," said Anderson. "Phil's playing some brilliant darts at the moment and setting the standard for us all.

"My aim is to hit a 120-plus average on stage, because I've done it in practice recently, and I might have to do that to defeat Phil. But averages won't matter on Thursday if I can get a result."

2009 winner James Wade finally got his first win of the season last week, and hopes to quickly make it two when he tackles Raymond van Barneveld, who also got off the mark last week.

"I didn't put any pressure on myself last week and went out to enjoy the game, and I made the most of my opportunities," said Wade. "I did enough to win last week but I'm really looking forward to playing Raymond."

"He's had a good start to the season and I enjoy playing him, so it will be a good test for me."

Hammer time

World Championship finalist Hamilton, who has a 50 percent win record this season, meets fellow Premier League newcomer Kevin Painter in Brighton.

"It's a marathon, not a sprint," he said. "I've shown I've got the form to play good darts and it will come good in the end. I'm looking forward to every week - this is what I want to play darts for."

The night's other game sees world champion Lewis bidding for his first victory of the season when he plays Whitlock, with last week's defeat to Anderson following three previous draws for the world number two.

Whitlock - the victim of last week's record average by Taylor - is entering the match under no illusions after seeing the Stoke star claim his second World Championship title two months ago.

"I love playing against the best players in the world and that's why the McCoy's Premier League this year is absolutely brilliant, because it's the eight best players in the world and all the games are tough," said Whitlock.