Luke Littler admits Michael van Gerwen is currently far from his best as he aims to beat the Dutchman for a third match in a row.
However, the teenager is wary that the three-time world champion can all of a sudden up his game as the Premier League resumes in Manchester on Thursday.
Littler is second in the Premier League table heading into night 10 of 16, one point clear of Van Gerwen in third.
The youngster won his first night in Belfast last week to move up three places from fifth and within four points of leader Luke Humphries.
Luke Littler has made an honest assessment of Michael van Gerwen ahead of their clash
Getty
Van Gerwen won his quarter-final against Michael Smith in Northern Ireland before losing to Littler in the semi-final.
The Dutchman had lost his previous four quarter-finals after initially winning three of the first four weeks in the tournament.
Van Gerwen's defeat to Littler last week was his second in a row against the 17-year-old.
Littler is hoping to build on his first nightly win and further enhance his position in the play-off spots.
He admits Van Gerwen is 'not on top form' but is wary of the 34-year-old's potential ahead of their quarter-final meeting, after he reached the final of the German Darts Grand Prix on Monday.
Littler said: "Winning in Belfast gave me a lot of confidence, and it certainly showed that practice does pay off.
"Obviously I’m not far from Manchester myself, and I’m a Manchester United fan, so it would mean the world to win in front of this crowd on Thursday.
"I know it will be tough. Michael brings the best out of me and I certainly bring the best out of him.
"We know he’s not on top form, but he’s always got those other gears to turn it on, so I'm just focused on winning my first game and trying to get some more points on the board."
Van Gerwen was impressive in Munich over the bank holiday weekend before losing to world No 1 Humphries in the final.
Humphries won 8-1 and Van Gerwen admits the reigning world champion is currently the best player around.
He said: "At this stage in his career, you need to perform really well if you want to beat him. We all know that.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Arsenal provide new Frida Maanum update as star has 'device fitted' after collapsing against Chelsea
- Stephen Hendry takes aim at Ronnie O'Sullivan's rivals as Ali Carter fails to land blow at Tour Championship
- Three Premier League clubs against 'scrapping points deductions' with new luxury tax proposed
Luke Littler is aiming to beat Michael van Gerwen for a third match in a row
Getty
"I think early doors in the game I had a few chances but my scoring wasn’t good enough and fair play to him.
"I think, at this moment, he’s the best player (in the world).
"We all have to face him, we have to battle and we have to make sure that we can get back on top.
"He also knows that this isn’t going to last forever, you’re not always going to throw a 112 average, but he’s playing some cracking darts and I have to admit that.
Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen has picked up just two points in the last five weeks
Getty
"It’s a good time for myself, of course, there’s a lot of negatives but also a lot of positives and my form has come on from far so to reach a final here is a big positive.
"I think it was a good tournament, I’m pleased."