Luke Littler has warned his rivals he is "back where I should belong" at the top of the Premier League Darts table as he seeks a fourth nightly victory in the space of five weeks in Manchester.
Littler will take centre stage on Night Nine at the AO Arena on Thursday evening, as the Warrington ace bids to deliver the goods on home soil - live on Your Site Main Event and Your Site Action from 7pm.
Following a sluggish start to the season, Littler has exploded into life over recent weeks, claiming nightly wins in Cardiff, Dublin and Berlin to surge to the top of the table.
The world No 1 is aiming to secure top spot for a third consecutive campaign, and he returns to Manchester with a two-point lead over his closest challenger Jonny Clayton.
"I've bounced back from a bad start. Back to where I think I should belong, is at the top," said the 19-year-old, who averaged 105, 108 and 106 to triumph in Berlin last Thursday.
There are eight more nights remaining before the top four players compete in next month's finals at The O2.
Littler is two points clear of Clayton, while Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen occupy the remaining top four spots, and Littler knows his opponents will remain on his heels.
"Jonny's had a great start as well, but there's no doubt Jonny will keep chasing, everyone's going to keep chasing for top spot," added Littler.
"Everyone wants it, we know that. We've just got to keep going."
Littler will renew his rivalry with Gian van Veen in the quarter-finals, in a repeat of January's World Championship final at Alexandra Palace.
Van Veen won the pair's solitary Premier League meeting on Night One in Newcastle, with the Dutchman advancing to three of the opening four nightly finals on debut.
Littler believes he has the "fear factor" with some players terrified of playing him. The 2024 Premier League champion pointed to his sensational last month.
"I don't think I'm ever out of a game, and against Gezzy, that has shown it, from 5-0 down, going on to win," said the back-to-back world champion.
"I even said to myself on stage in my head, when I made it 5-3, 'I've got him' because he started going below the treble and he was trying to move over the oche, trying to fight for the trebles, missing doubles.
"I'm just up there doing my job and sometimes I've got that 1-0, 2-0 lead before I get on stage because that's how players think, so they're beat before they've even played me.
"I think I've said it a few times, some players, when they play me, it's their final, whether it's round one, whether it's round two, that's their cup final."
Speaking about what he needs to reach The O2, Littler added: "The last few years, I think it's been about 25 or 26 points gets you in. Call it 30 points and then I'll say I'm in."
Littler also opened up about his long-term plans after continuing his dominance in the PDC and Premier League over recent months.
"That's all down to myself whether I want it for the next 10-15 years, whether I'm financially settled and I've done everything I wanted to do," he said.
"Like Michael (van Gerwen) said, once the fire goes out of the belly that's when we pack it in."
The BetMGM Premier League season continues with Night Nine in Manchester, as Littler continues his pursuit of a fourth nightly crown against Van Veen.
Van Gerwen and Stephen Bunting go head to head in the evening's opener, Price faces Luke Humphries, while Clayton and Josh Rock lock horns in the quarter-finals for a second consecutive week.
Ranking points are awarded per night - with five to the winner, three to the runner-up and two to the semi-finalists - to form the league table from which the top four players will progress to Finals Night at The O2 in London on Thursday May 28.
Who will win this year's Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries is defending his title and you can watch the action every single Thursday until May on Your Site. .
