...curtain raiser in Leeds
Thursday 4 February 2016 19:50, UK
Dutch darting legend Raymond van Barneveld says he is relishing the opportunity to renew hostilities against Phil Taylor on the opening night of the Premier League.
The roadshow gets underway at the First Direct Arena in Leeds - live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm.
And 2014 winner Van Barneveld takes on six-time champion Taylor looking to get the better of his great rival, having beaten him twice in the competition last year.
"It's that time of the year again," the 48-year-old from Den Haag told Sky Sports. "I won it two years ago and last year I made it through to the semi-finals and I'm ready for this year.
"It's a big game between me and Phil, but there are all big games in the Premier League now. If you're playing Gary [Anderson], Michael [Van Gerwen], Phil, James [Wade] or Michael Smith - it doesn't matter anymore.
"Every week you have to prepare yourself right and do the best you can do. Every week there are all finals now - there are no easy matches anymore.
"I had three weeks off after the World Championship so I'm preparing myself now.
"I always give myself two targets every year - do well in the Premier League and in the World Championship. During the rest of the season hope to do well and try to lift some trophies, especially in the majors.
"There are a lot of quality players among us at the moment, so it's not really easy anymore.
"I'm saying [it's the hardest Premier League] every year because it's getting better and better. It's not about the averages anymore, the averages are not important, the wins are."
Van Barneveld is prepared for 'The Power' and will be looking to continue his recent upsurge in form against him having won three out of their last five meetings since last year's World Championship semi-final defeat.
"Why not start with the best of all time," he said. "Last year I felt a lot of pressure on my shoulders because I was the holder and I lost 7-1 to Adrian [Lewis], so hopefully I will do better against Phil.
"If you look better in the last three or four games me and Phil played, I beat him, so that says enough about my quality in the Premier League for the last two or three years.
"The averages are going up and the level is brilliant. If you see these young kids and how easily they hit the boards with trebles and doubles, it's simply amazing.
"You have to beat them every week otherwise you won't win any great tournaments again."
You can watch the opening night live on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm on Thursday, or watch without a contract on NOW TV.
We will be building up to the coverage this week on our live blog here www.skysports.com/darts and the Sky Sports app will keep you up to date with all the action.
