Reigning world champion Raymond van Barneveld is in confident mood ahead of the start of the World Darts Championship on Monday.
Watch every dart of the World Darts Championship live on Sky Sports from 17th Dec-1st Jan.
Reigning world champion Raymond van Barneveld is in confident mood ahead of the start of the World Darts Championship on Monday.
The big Dutchman defeated Phil 'The Power' Taylor 7-6 in one of the best finals ever at the Circus Tavern last year, and he is hopeful of retaining his title.
Barney built on his success in Purfleet to go on to win the UK Open and the Las Vegas Desert Classic this year, but has missed out on the last few big majors.
With a new venue for the World Championships, Barney wants to become the first man to lift the title at Alexandra Palace after claiming the final event at the Circus Tavern.
Confidence
With new darts in his top pocket and on the back of some decent form, van Barneveld heads to Alexandra Palace knowing the special event is a tough one, but full of confidence.
"I'm very confident," van Barneveld told
Sky Sports News.
"I've got new darts and I had a nine darter the other week in Germany, so I'm pretty confident.
"But the World Championship is always special to me because I see every match as a final, you have to do that.
"You cannot underestimate players, you cannot do that.
The defending champion will face either Akihiro Nagakawa or Anthony Forde, who face-off in a preliminary round but, despite both being minnows in the game, van Barneveld will still not take them for granted.
"I play someone from either the Philippines or Bermuda but it doesn't mean anything to me because they can play their best on that particular day," he added.
"If you underestimate them and you're not focused enough, you're going to have a bad Christmas, and I can't have that."
Barney will now doubt face a huge challenge from 13-time champion Taylor, who will be determined to win his crown back this year, although he faces a tricky first round tie against Dutch wonder kid Michael van Gerwen.
Talented left-hander James Wade has shot up the rankings after winning the last two major tournaments, and he will also be one to look out for.
The tungsten tossing action all gets underway on Monday 17th December with every dart live on
Sky Sports.
