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‘The Power’ will start the defence of his crown on day one of the 2006 Ladbrokes.com World Championships against Staffordshire qualifier David Platt.

Taylor’s relentless pursuit of an incredible 13th World title will have the eyes of the sporting world fixed on Purfleet. The bookies are predicting a Team Unicorn Final on January 2 between the top two seeds, with Taylor odds-on favourite to take the £100,000 winners cheque.

Colin Lloyd goes into the tournament as top seed, bidding to reach his first ever World Final. He starts his quest for glory on Tuesday December 20 against St.Helens qualifier Gary Welding.

If ‘Jaws’ can find his bite, he will face either Darren Webster or Dutch newcomer Erwin Extercatte in the 2nd Round after Christmas.

Taylor will play either Matt Clark or Canadian Ken Woods, if he beats Platt.

If the seeds win through, Taylor is scheduled to meet Team Unicorn’s Bob Anderson in Round Three, with Kevin Painter a possible quarter-final opponent.

Anderson enters the tournament on Wednesday December 21, in a repeat of last year’s quarter-final against Stoke-based qualifier Andy Hamilton. Painter has to wait until Thursday December 22 to get into the action against Dale Newton. Victory for ‘The Artist’ could set up a 2nd Round clash against Dale’s elder brother Wes!

Team Unicorn’s Young Guns are thrown straight in on day one. Adrian Lewis takes on qualifier Dave Honey in the 3rd match of the tournament, while James Wade rounds off that first day against Wayne Jones.

Lewis knows an impressive start will book a 2nd Round tie against either Dennis Priestley or John Magowan, while the prize for Wade is a match against either Andy Jenkins or Belgian Patrick Bulen.

There is already considerable backing for Unicorn’s former World Champion John Part to rediscover his top form in Purfleet.

Would you believe, the Canadian has already played and beaten his 1st Round opponent – Liu Cheng ‘An.

Last year, when Team Unicorn headed for China, Part won in the Global Cup. This match will also be featured on day one.

Another victory at The Circus Tavern could set up a mouth-watering 2nd Round clash against the much-fancied Chris Mason.

Peter Manley – Unicorn’s Amarillo Man – will play Kevin Spiolek in the last match of the 2nd day. Manley is gearing up for a big World Championships after last year’s shock defeat against Dutch qualifier Josephus Schenk.

If he can jump the first hurdle, Manley will meet either Steve Maish of Jason Clark. And there could be an all Unicorn quarter-final between Manley and Adrian Lewis.

All the action gets under way live on Sky Sports at 1pm on Monday December 19.

By Stuart Pyke