Windows ExplorerPHIL TAYLOR and Raymond van Barneveld meet for the second time in the 2008 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts on Thursday night - and both are promising fireworks in front of a record PDC crowd at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

A crowd of almost 8,000, a new record for a PDC tournament and the highest in the modern era of the sport, will pack the Liverpool Echo Arena for the Premier League's first visit to the city.

The four matches being staged include the meeting of in-form Phil Taylor - who is unbeaten in his last six Premier League games - against world number one Raymond van Barneveld.

Taylor produced a Premier League record average of 111.14 when the duo met in Nottingham last month, with the defending champion notching up an amazing five ton-plus finishes in an 8-3 victory.

Taylor has since moved above van Barneveld into second place in the table, and is predicting another memorable encounter when the great rivals clash in Liverpool.

"It's going to be buzzing with all those people and I'm excited!" said Taylor, the 13-time World Champion.

"My average could be as high as 115, and it might need to be against Raymond. He's a great professional and I know he'll have worked hard to get ready for this.

"I'm delighted with how things have gone for me recently and my game's improving - but I know I can get better and that excites me.

"I'm still experimenting on my game a little bit, doing different things that could help me out and I'll keep working at it."

Van Barneveld has lost two of his last three matches, including an 8-6 reverse to Peter Manley in Aberdeen a week ago.

"I was hugely disappointed last week but there is nothing better than a game against Phil to get me focused on winning again," said the Dutchman.

"He is the greatest test - at the moment the way he's playing is unbelievable and I know how good I will have to be to defeat him.

"I've practised hard and prepared well and I can't wait for Thursday."

League leader James Wade opens the night against Wayne Mardle - who moved up to fourth in the table last week after notching up a fourth successive win.

"I've played well without playing brilliantly and if you get four wins in a row in the Premier League by doing that then you're not doing a lot wrong," said Mardle.

"I'm playing nowhere near the best darts of my life, but I'm winning games and you can't ask for any more than that. I am attacking games and enjoying it."

Adrian Lewis is looking to bounce back from his double-defeat in Aberdeen when he faces World Champion John Part, who dropped to the foot of the table last week.

Peter Manley and 2007 runner-up Terry Jenkins meet in the night's other game, with both needing a victory to keep up the pressure on the play-off places.

The night will be the biggest sporting event ever staged at the Liverpool Echo Arena, and Sky Sports commentator Sid Waddell admitted it will be one of the most memorable occasions of his career.

"The people of Merseyside know their sport and they are going to have one of the greatest nights ever this week," said Waddell. "There are four fantastic matches and it will be brilliant."

Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Night 11, Liverpool Echo Arena
James Wade v Wayne Mardle
John Part v Adrian Lewis
Peter Manley v Terry Jenkins
Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld
Live on Sky Sports One, 7.30pm