Phil Taylor (4/11 fav with Totesport to win the title) says he will be fit enough to face Simon Whitlock in the Premier League opener, despite being laid low with a virus this week.

‘The Power’ will face ‘The Wizard’ in a repeat of the World Championship final, as this season’s Premier League campaign kicks off at the O2 Arena on Thursday evening.

Taylor, looking to win a fifth Premier League crown, admits it has not been “ideal preparation” for his opening match but the world number one is looking forward to another thrilling battle at the oche.

The 13-time world champion knows it will be tough against Premier League debutant Whitlock (7/2 to defeat Taylor), who has already won a couple of events in Australia this year.

Taylor said: “He (Whitlock) was brilliant at the World Championship, so I know the size of the task – but I really want this title back and the journey starts here.”

Meanwhile, defending champion James Wade is also in action on the opening evening of the tournament – with world number two Raymond van Barneveld his opponent.

The two other matches on Thursday evening see Ronnie Baxter face Terry Jenkins, while 2009 runner-up Mervyn King takes on wildcard entrant Adrian Lewis.

Make sure you keep a close eye on Totesport’s darts betting markets throughout the 2010 Premier League campaign.