Price 'ready' for potential Van Barneveld reunion at World Championship

The pair met twice at last month's Grand Slam of Darts with world No. 1 Price suffering defeat on both occasions at the hands of Van Barneveld, who put in arguably his best displays since starting his comeback two years ago.

Price and Van Barneveld are primed to meet in what would be a mouthwatering third-round match-up at Alexandra Palace, but only if both successfully navigate their respective second-round ties.

But 'The Iceman', who has just one win in eight meetings against Van Barneveld, says he is confident of gaining revenge on the big stage in London this winter. 

"In the Grand Slam I was pretty steady but a lot of players were playing well against me, especially Raymond in the two games," said Price, speaking on the Love The Darts podcast.

"I don't think he beat me. I bombed the two games because I missed chances. I failed to win seven legs on the bounce, which isn't my game.

"Raymond played really well but I think I lost the game rather than him winning, so if I get through the first round at the Worlds then I'll be more than ready for Raymond. I've never beaten him on TV but I'm sure if I get through this will be the first time."

Price kicks off his World Championship campaign on Monday, December 19th against Luke Woodhouse or Vladyslav Omelchenko.

While the Welshman will be expected to claim victory in his opener without a hitch, he claims it will be the "toughest" fixture he will face at the tournament.

“I always target the first round in any tournament,” he said. “I always feel the first match is harder to win than the final. Once you’re in a final, you’ve earned a lot of ranking points and you can relax.

“I always think the first one is the toughest one of all, especially in the World Championship, because no one wants to go out early. You don’t want to be sat at home over Christmas knowing you’re out and not going back.”