PHIL TAYLOR will be looking to land an early knockout blow when he faces Raymond van Barneveld for the first time in the Holsten Premier League Darts on Thursday.

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The pair will come head-to-head in front of 3,000 fans at the Bournemouth International Centre for the first time since Barneveld's high-profile move to the PDC.

They will contest a first to eight, best of 14 leg clash, and Taylor believes he has to make a strong start against the Dutchman.

"Ray's a big confidence player," said Taylor.

"It will be like playing Manchester United, you've got to get  on top of him straight away and put him on the back foot.

"The biggest leg will be the first one, because you have to get the first punch in, so to speak.

"I'm lucky in that I've got an extra gear. If players play well I believe I can up my game, and thats the secret; winning comfortably when you have to, but finding more if you need it."

The pair have not met in England since Taylor won a head-to-head showdown 21-10 in 1999, and he added: "I've been practising hard because it's a massive match.

"Everywhere I go people are taking about it, when I am in the supermarket or walking down the street.

"There will be some nerves and it should be a brilliant game.

"Ray's a very good player. You don't turn up and beat Raymond, you have to play well to beat him but I desperately want to win.

"I look at it that Ray is just another stepping stone for me on the way to qualifying for the play-offs, and I don't want to lose a game.

"It wouldn't feel right for me to win the tournament having lost along the way. I didn't lose last year and want to repeat that."

Whilst Taylor has won his opening five matches of the Premier League, Barneveld has taken victory in all three of his clashes so far.

He will open proceedings on Thursday by facing Peter Manley, and then returns to the stage to meet Taylor.

"The Premier League is something else," he said. "Its been unbelievable, the crowd and atmosphere are brilliant.

"You prepare yourself week by week and set your sights on each player as they come. I've got to focus on Peter first but I know I have to raise my game.

"I don't think Phil is playing as well as he can do, except the game against Colin Lloyd which he won 8-1.

"In the rest of his games he has averaged 32 and 33 (per dart), but he can play at 35 and I know I have to play that well to beat him.

"But I'm so happy to have won my first three games. I hit five big finishes against Wayne Mardle and I've never hit as many in one game.

"I had three 100-plus finishes against Ronnie Baxter as well and played well when I beat Roland Scholten, but each game is different."

Van Barneveld has been warming up for Thursday's matches by practising with Dutch youngster Jelle Klaasen, who defeated him in January's Lakeside final.

"It was a tough year for me in 2005 but now things are more relaxed that I've joined the PDC and hopefully my best darts are coming through," added the 38-year-old.

"Every Tuesday I practise with Jelle Klassen and I beat him last week, so the omens are good."

After van Barneveld takes on Manley, fellow Dutchman Roland Scholten faces fourth placed Ronnie Baxter.

The night's third game features bottom two and Essex duo Colin Lloyd and Wayne Mardle, who has yet to record a victory in the 2006 Holsten Premier League.

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