Smith compares Clayton to Phil Taylor 'in his prime' ahead of Premier League Darts: "Even when he plays bad he's still a 104-105 average"

Michael Smith is set to face off against Jonny Clayton tonight as Premier League Darts hits Sheffield and after the week he has had, it will be one of the highly touted ties of the evening.

Smith sealed back-to-back ProTour titles but faces the Premier League Darts leader who 'Bully Boy' compared to the record breaking, history making Phil Taylor.

"Jonny's in unreal form," said Smith. "Even when he plays bad he's still a 104-105 average, and it's like when Taylor was in his prime.

"His worst games were 100 averages, and that's what Jonny seems to be doing at the minute.

"He doesn't even look like he's playing well but he's 105-106 average constantly and that's testament to how good he actually is at the minute.

"Hopefully I get lucky on Thursday - we'll see. I've just got to hit the doubles. I know I can compete scoring-wise - I think I'm one of the best scorers in the world - but it's the finishing.

"I keep coming back and keep fighting and you've always got to believe," he added.

"I know I'm playing well but I've not had the luck. Obviously I want to win every week that I play, but if it doesn't happen then it wasn't meant to be.

"I just keep looking at the players in front of me - I've just got to keep taking it game by game. Going into Sheffield I know I need the win, I need the five points."