RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD is in confident mood as he prepares to make his debut in the Holsten Premier League Darts on Thursday night.
The Dutch superstar has been confirmed as the tournament's seventh player after joining the PDC on Wednesday.
He will take on Ronnie Baxter at Blackburn's King George's Hall, and cannot wait to get into action.
"I'm very confident," he said. "I've played in two tournaments this year and reached two finals, one at the Lakeside and the other at the Dutch Open.
"I won the Dutch Open final against Gary Anderson, and that's one of the hardest tournaments to win because 2,900 men
entered.
"I've won that three times now and am quite happy with that win, so I'm relaxed and looking forward.
"It's a new world for me."
The four-time BDO World Champion has the chance to make an immediate impression after making his switch should he win the £167,500 Holsten Premier League, which runs until 29 May.
"There are seven top class players, including the best in the world Phil Taylor," added van Barneveld.
"I want to compete with all these players, they have won so many tournaments during their careers and I want to see how good I am.
"I've won every major tournament in the BDO at least two times and I want to see if I can do that now."
Barneveld will take on Taylor for the first time in Bournemouth on 23 March, as well as in Doncaster on the Dutchman's birthday.
"I play Phil on the 20th of April in Doncaster which is my birthday," he added. "So it will either be a birthday gift or a sad day!"
Fellow Dutch star Roland Scholten will be another player to stand between van Barneveld and the Premier League title, and he backed his former pairs partner to succeed.
"He's a good darts player and I'm sure he'll do well," said Scholten.
"He's been around the world just like I have, so he doesn't need any advice from me - it's about throwing your darts at the right time in the right place.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what happens but he's just another darts player to me and I'll have to beat him just like anyone else."
Scholten made the semi-finals of last year's Premier League, and looked set to end Taylor's unbeaten run in the tournament when he moved to within two legs of victory.
But a stunning comeback from Taylor saw him move into the final - and Scholten is determined to erase that memory this year.
"I'm looking forward to it," added Scholten, who faces Peter Manley in Blackburn. "It's a new season, a new start and I can't wait to get going.
"I'll be doing my utmost to win it - hopefully I will beat Phil this year!"
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Live commentary of all games is available to DartsTV subscribers, and highlights will be available on Friday.
Holsten Premier League Darts
Week One; King George's Hall, Blackburn
Wayne Mardle v Phil Taylor
Peter Manley v Roland Scholten
Raymond van Barneveld v Ronnie Baxter
Phil Taylor v Colin Lloyd
Live on Sky Sports One, 7.30pm