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12,000 Berlin crowd will see Michael Smith's top of the table Premier League clash
SOMETHING has to give tonight in Berlin when St Helens' Michael Smith takes on Australian Simon Whitlock in the top of the table clash.
The Unibet Premier League will enjoy a record-breaking debut in Germany as 12,000 fans at the Mercedes-Benz Arena witness the clash between the only two players left with perfect records.
The five massive matches in the German capital will begin with the meeting between the Premier League's table-toppers as Whitlock and Smith bid to continue their winning starts to the season.
The pair were two of the three outsiders with sponsors Unibet ahead of the season, but after each picking up three victories to start the campaign sit two points clear of reigning champion Michael van Gerwen.
Smith concedes that his confidence is growing week-on-week during his strong start to the season, which has been accompanied by a ProTour victory earlier in February.
"I'm taking my chances at the moment but I still don't think I'm at my best - when my A-game kicks in I think I can destroy people on the board," said the former World Youth Champion.
"My family life's good, I can't argue about my darts and I'm winning matches. Last time I was in the Premier League it took me five weeks to get a point and now I've had a great start.
"I'm aiming to stay in the top four and I'm want to win this. I want to go unbeaten, and now I believe in myself that I'm one of the best players in the world."
His opponent, Whitlock, added: "It's going to be amazing this week and I can't wait.
"I'm over the moon with how things have gone so far and Michael's been great too.
"A year ago, me and Michael were talking to each other and we believed we should have been in the Premier League. That 12 months has done us the world of good, and now look at us - we're flying!
"I'm really proud of Michael because he's a class player and he deserves to be in the Premier League, and he's showing why. I'm feeling confident too, and I've got the desire inside to be one of the best."