PHIL TAYLOR and John Part renew their long-standing rivalry when the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts visits the Brighton Centre on Thursday night.
The duo have enjoyed almost a decade of sparring at the top level of darts, including five major finals amongst their high-profile battles.
Taylor won four of those, although Part's four televised victories against the Stoke star - including at the 2003 World Championship - is more than any other player apart from Raymond van Barneveld.
However, Taylor twice defeated Part 8-3 in the 2008 Premier League, and the Canadian knows he has to produce his best if he is to leap above the defending champion in the table.
"He seems to always give me his best," said Part. "It's the last match of the first half of the league, and if you're going to beat Phil now is a good time.
"If I'm going to try and move ahead of him I have to beat him and it would put me in a great position if I can."
Taylor ended a three-game run without a victory when he defeated Wayne Mardle 8-4 in Manchester, defying seven 180s to take the two points.
"It was a nice game last week but this will be different against John," said Taylor. "Wayne had a bit of fun and played well, he hit a lot of 180s but was a little bit erratic.
"John is very steady and very good at punishing your mistakes and taking his own chances. I've had a little break since last week and feel good, and I know I'll have to perform better against John."
Part is just a point behind Taylor in the league table, having drawn with Jelle Klaasen last week, with the Dutch youngster coming from 5-1 down to deny him both points.
"You always set out to get the two points and at 5-1 I looked pretty good for that," said Part.
"But at that point he hadn't clicked and in a match of that length you expect a player to click in, and in fairness to him he did.
"I didn't stumble a great deal but he came back and with the momentum he had I was probably happy with a point."
Part had one dart for victory in the deciding leg, missing double seven for a 122 finish before Klaasen took out 78 for a 14-darter against the throw.
"I could have got the win on the 122 finish in the final leg, I had a good effort at it," said Part.
"It's a similar shot to when I lost in the Players Championship at the Circus Tavern to Dennis Priestley.
"I needed 126 then, hit the two treble 19s but missed the double six; this time I hit two treble 18s and missed the double seven.
"I love both those doubles but maybe I got a little too excited, too aggressive at it, and missed."
See highlights from the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts in PDCtv
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Seven - Brighton Centre
Mervyn King v Terry Jenkins
Wayne Mardle v James Wade
Raymond van Barneveld v Jelle Klaasen
Phil Taylor v John Part
Live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1 from 7pm
Listen to live audio commentary and see match highlights in PDCtv - click here for PDCtv
Click here to purchase the official Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Programme