PHIL TAYLOR has already begun the war of words of with Adrian Lewis ahead of their all-Stoke Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts clash on Thursday.
The duo meet at the NIA in Birmingham this week as the Premier League Darts reaches its half-way stage - as Lewis gets the chance to take on his former mentor and practice partner.
Taylor, the 15-time World Champion, is unbeaten so far this season and has never been defeated by Lewis on the television stage, and insists the 25-year-old will not change that record in Birmingham.
"He's not got a chance," said Taylor. "He's a very good player and if you catch him on the right day he can beat anybody, as we all can.
"If you're not on song in this tournament you will get beaten by anybody, but I'm not worried about Adrian - I'm excited!
"I think he is because it's a big match and we're going to enjoy it. It's going to be buzzing and hopefully plenty of fans from Stoke will come down too."
Despite not practising together, the pair remain good friends - but Lewis revealed that Taylor has already begun the mental battle ahead of Thursday's clash.
"He's already started the banter," said Lewis. "He was saying he will beat me 8-0 before I'd even played Ronnie Baxter in Brighton last Thursday!
"At the end of the day, if anyone's going to win the game 8-0 it will be me beating him 8-0! If someone's going to beat him then I think I'm the man to do it."
Tickets for the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts at the NIA in Birmingham on Thursday are still available, priced at £20 and on sale on 0844 338 8000 or from www.theticketfactory.com.
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Seven - March 25 - NIA, Birmingham
Mervyn King v Simon Whitlock
James Wade v Terry Jenkins
Raymond van Barneveld v Ronnie Baxter
Adrian Lewis v Phil Taylor
Tickets: 0844 338 8000 or www.theticketfactory.com