Taylor extended his lead at the top of the Premier League table to three points with an 8-1 win over Gary Anderson last week, and is the league's only unbeaten player following five rounds of matches.

The 15-time World Champion also hit two nine-dart finishes in Players Championship events last weekend to continue his run of form, which he is looking to extend in Glasgow.

"I'm delighted with how I'm playing at the moment," said Taylor. "Playing so well reinforces that what I'm doing in preparation with my practice, fitness and diet is working.

"It should be a good battle with Andy and I always enjoy playing him. He's had a brilliant year and did superbly to reach the World Championship final, and it's great to see him in the Premier League."

Stoke

Hamilton is one of three Stoke-born players in the Premier League, alongside Taylor and world champion Adrian Lewis, and is excited by the chance to take their local rivalry onto the big stage.

"I aspire to be where Phil and Adrian are and to have what they've got in their game," said Hamilton. "We've spent a lot of time together and get on really well, and I want to do what they've done in their careers."

Lewis - who drew his first three games but is now the only player without a victory - faces a crucial game with 2009 Premier League champion James Wade in Glasgow.

"The tide is turning," said Wade. "My confidence is there as much as ever but I'm thinking far too much about the game. It's starting to feel good in patches - I felt brilliant for three or four legs last week but then shut off. That's how I'm playing at the moment but I've got to keep my foot on the gas."

Scotland's Gary Anderson meets Simon Whitlock on home soil in Glasgow, and is hoping to give a sell-out crowd plenty to cheer despite being defeated by Taylor a week ago.

Scottish joy

"I love playing in Scotland and can't wait for Thursday because the crowd always give me a lift with their support," said Anderson. "I was disappointed with how I played last week against Phil but I was better in the Players Championships at the weekend and hopefully I can play well against Simon."

Whitlock impressed in his win over Lewis last week in Brighton, and could move second in the table if he defeats Anderson and silences the home support.

"It's going to be tough," said the Australian. "I played Phil Taylor in Exeter with the crowd on his side and it didn't affect me, and hopefully against Gary it won't.

"He's a strange player. He can be the best player in the world on his night and I only beat him once last year - in the World Championship - and every other time we played he was unbelievable against me, so I'll have to play well on Thursday."

The night's other game sees five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld meet Players Champion Kevin Painter, who picked up his third win of the season in Brighton last Thursday.