PHIL TAYLOR is looking to pick up back-to-back victories in the Holsten Premier League Darts when the tournament reaches its climax in Plymouth on Monday.
Taylor won the inaugural Premier League title 12 months ago, defeating Colin Lloyd 16-4 in the final and going through the league phase of the event unbeaten.
He is on course to repeat that feat this time around, having won 11 and drawn just one of his 12 games so far.
He meets Lloyd in the semi-finals this year, in a best-of-21-leg clash at the Plymouth Pavilions.
The winner will then face either Raymond van Barneveld or Roland Scholten in an Anglo-Dutch final later on Monday evening, with the winner earning £50,000.
Taylor warmed up for the play-offs with victory in the first ever World Series of Darts last weekend, claiming the $100,000 first prize with a 13-5 defeat of protégé Adrian Lewis in Connecticut.
"It's been my ambition all year to retain this trophy," said Taylor. "I've said throughout that I wanted to be unbeaten too if I win it - it's knockout darts now and I'll have to be on top of my game.
"I'm happy with my form but I will be practising hard for this. I was delighted to win the World Series of Darts, but this is another challenge for me.
"The Premier League has been a fantastic event, there have been lots of great games and I'm looking forward to the finals."
Taylor defeated Lloyd twice in the league stage of the event, which saw the seven players play each other on two occasions over ten weeks.
But the 13-times World Champion insisted: "That means nothing now.
"It's sudden death and I know how determined Colin will be to get through. He's got his form back recently and he will be confident."
Lloyd reached the final of the International Darts League in Holland a fortnight ago, and booked his place in the semi-finals of the Premier League on a dramatic final night of league action.
He went into the very last game of the league phase knowing that he had to defeat Wayne Mardle to jump above Ronnie Baxter into fourth place - and he duly obliged with an 8-4 victory.
"It was an amazing way to qualify, I certainly did it the tough way," said Lloyd. "I've enjoyed the Premier League this year and had some good wins.
"It's been tough and it steps up another gear now. I know how I will have to play to defeat Phil and it's up to me to produce the goods.
"I'm confident in my ability and I'll be ready to go in Plymouth."
Van Barneveld lost just one of his 12 league matches - going down 8-6 to Taylor in Doncaster - and he also hit a perfect nine-dart game against Peter Manley in Bournemouth.
"I've enjoyed every minute," said the Dutchman. "Holsten have been brilliant sponsors and the crowds have been amazing.
"I know it's sold out in Plymouth and I can't wait to get there. I play Roland and I've done well against him so far with two 8-3 wins, but Monday will be different and it's a fresh start.
"The format is longer and there are no second chances now so he will be desperate, like me, to get through.
"I've had my eyes set on winning this since the first night in Blackburn, and it would be a great honour if I do that on Monday."
Scholten reached last year's semi-finals, only to lose an 11-7 lead against Taylor in Manchester when the eventual champion reeled off six successive legs to win 13-11 - a defeat he admits still plays on his mind.
"That was very disappointing and I'm determined to go one better this year and get into the final," said Scholten.
"I've enjoyed the event so far, and I'm looking forward to playing Raymond again. It's do-or-die now and I really want to win this tournament.
"I'm not practising extra or doing anything special, I'm just making sure that I'm ready to go up there and play a good game on Monday. I'm up for it."
The winner of Monday's final will take home £50,000, with the runner-up earning £30,000. The losing semi-finalists are guaranteed £20,000 each.
The event is screened live on Sky Sports One, from 6pm on Monday.