Premier League returns

O'Sullivan: Premier League dominance

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Premier League Snooker
7.30pm, Thu, Sky Sports 3 & HD3

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The Premier League rolls back into action on Thursday, live on Sky Sports, and the big question will again be who can stop Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Thursday night will see the start of the latest Premier League tournament, on Sky Sports 3, and defending champion O'Sullivan will be appearing on opening night as he takes on Marco Fu.

The Penrith Leisure Centre and Cumbria is the venue for the season opener, which will also see Australian left-hander Neil Robertson playing against talented teenager Judd Trump.

An exciting line-up this year also includes world champion John Higgins, legend Stephen Hendry, and another former Crucible champion in Shaun Murphy.

However, having won the last five editions of the Premier League, O'Sullivan is the one to beat with 'The Rocket' ideally suited by the 25-second shot clock rule in operation throughout the tournament.

Favourite

Few would bet against a sixth success for O'Sullivan and he is the big favourite to be lifting the trophy on November 29, but he faces a testing opener on Thursday.

Hon Kong potter Fu has beaten O'Sullivan in a Grand Prix final and a run of form to lift him up into eight in the rankings sees him back involved in the Premier League.

Bristol teenager will make his debut in the Premier League this season, and the talented youngster could just find the rapid-fire style of the tournament right up his alley.

Trump has been making great strides in the ranking events over the last year or so, and he will now test himself against the best in the world week-in and week-out.

First up for Trump will be Robertson - a three-time ranking event winner who also plays with a free-and-easy attacking style that should make the match a cracker.

All four men will be looking to put down an early marker for the tournament, but especially O'Sullivan who knows that everyone will be gunning for him this year and trying to end his long spell of domination.

Follow all the baize-scorching action live on Sky Sports 3 & HD3 from 7.30pm on Thursday.