RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD is looking to banish the memory of five previous McCoy's Premier League Darts semi-final defeats when he faces Phil Taylor in the Play-Offs at The O2 in London on Thursday.
The Dutch legend will clash with six-time Premier League Darts champion Taylor in the first semi-final of this year's Play-Offs as he bids to reach his first final in the event.
Although he has missed out on the Play-Offs twice in the past three years - narrowly being squeezed out of the top four in 2012 - van Barneveld has enjoyed a fine 2013 campaign to finish second in the league table.
The five-time World Champion is now looking to take that form into the Play-Offs as he takes on his great rival before, hopefully, setting his sights on either Michael van Gerwen or James Wade.
"To make it into the top two, you can say this was a really good Premier League," he said. "I've missed out on the Play-Offs twice in the last couple of years so my focus was firstly not to be relegated after nine weeks and then my target was to get into the top four.
"I've had many years in the semi-finals so hopefully I'm going to make the final - but my first target is Phil Taylor, and it's a really hard target!
"I know I can beat him but it seems he's always playing his A-game against me - but if I play my A-game I can beat anyone I want. It's going to be a good battle and I'm looking forward to it."
Van Barneveld has never defeated Taylor in the Premier League, although he ended a run of 14 successive losses by drawing with the reigning champion in Dublin last month.
The Dutchman, though, missed five darts to claim victory in that tie, but insists: "That game doesn't say anything.
"He's beaten me so many times and then he got a draw in Dublin, but that doesn't mean that this time I'm going to beat him.
"It says a lot that I'm battling, I'm back, my head is right and I believe in myself again - and if I believe in myself then I can achieve anything I want."
Tickets for Thursday's McCoy's Premier League Darts Play-Offs at The O2 in London are still available by calling 0844 856 0202 or by visiting www.axs.com.