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Taylor of course, faces Team Unicorn stablemate Colin Lloyd in the semi-finals at the Plymouth Pavilions on Monday, knowing that he has a massive psychological edge over the official World No.1

Lloyd has yet to switch off ‘The Power’ in a major tournament ‘live’ on TV. In their last big clash, Taylor again won easily by 7 legs to 1 at the International Darts League in Holland. In the two group matches at the 2006 Holsten Premier League, Taylor won 8-3 on both nights in Blackburn and Stevenage.

And in recent major finals, Lloyd has suffered heavy defeats at the hands of Unicorn’s 13 times World Champion. Last October, Taylor was on easy street in winning the SkyBet World Grand Prix Final in Dublin by 7 sets to 1…..and remember last year’s Premier League Final in Manchester? It was another Taylor triumph by 16 legs to 4.

The nearest Lloyd has come to switching off ‘The Power’ was 17 months ago. It was the opening night of the brand new Premier League in Taylor’s home town of Stoke. Lloyd missed one dart to win and it finished 6 legs apiece.

“Colin has been up and down a bit this year,” Taylor said. “But he is still dangerous on his day. I know I have beaten him many times in big games but I won’t be taking anything for granted. Look what happened in the Premier League semi-finals last year, when it looked like I would lose to Roland Scholten, so I will have to be at my very best. He isn’t ranked number one in the world for nothing!”

And Taylor is predicting ‘The Dream Final’! “After Raymond Van Barneveld joined the PDC, before a dart was thrown in anger in the Premier League, everyone was saying that it would be a great final in Plymouth. I think Barney will beat Roland and I certainly think I will make the final, so maybe everyone will get their wish!”

It’s been a mixed month for Taylor. He suffered the huge disappointment of losing in the quarter-finals of the International Darts League to Australian Simon Whitlock, in a sudden death deciding leg. He had also been beaten by Jelle Klaasen in the group stages of the tournament.

Then he bounced back, as only Taylor can – beating the best America had to offer and the best in the world, to win the World Series of Darts in Connecticut last weekend.

“It was a fantastic tournament. The Americans loved it and so did all the PDC stars. It was great to beat Adrian (Lewis) in the final and I think the event will be bigger and better next year. I am sure ESPN will want it to happen again.”

He added: “ It certainly brought the confidence back after the disappointment of the IDL. It just didn’t feel right. I had problems with a bad tooth, which got infected and I had to see a dentist out in Holland. It still isn’t right, so I am having it taken out before Plymouth. I am not making excuses, because the best man (Barneveld) won the tournament – and if invited, I will be back there next year, determined to win it.”

Taylor has also revealed that he believes Dutch teenage sensation Michael Van Gerwen will go on to become a World Champion. “ He reminded me of me, when I was that age!” he said. “I saw that look in his eye and he is very aggressive. He will be a big star.”

So, it’s all eyes on Plymouth on Bank Holiday Monday…..Philip Taylor, it seems, is in the mood to be crowned Premier League champion again.

Order of Play – Live on Sky Sports 1 at 6pm

Semi-finals (best of 21 legs)

Raymond Van Barneveld v Roland Scholten

Phil Taylor v Colin Lloyd

Final (best of 31 legs)

And as always, there will be an in-depth report, plus reaction and analysis of the big night, here on the Unicorn website.

BY STUART PYKE