Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor and Peter Wright battle for top spot in Nottingham
Thursday 10 March 2016 22:50, UK
Michael van Gerwen will be keen to maintain his red hot form when he returns to action on night six of the Premier League.
The world No 1 currently leads the Premier League table, but Phil Taylor or Peter Wright could snatch top spot if 'Mighty Mike' slips up in Nottingham, live on Sky Sports.
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Defending champion Gary Anderson, Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld will also be battling for precious points this Thursday.
Michael Smith v Gary Anderson
After winning his world title, Anderson has fallen short of his usual high standards and endured a humbling defeat to amateur Barry Lynn at the UK Open.
The Scotsman's schedule has been unrelenting since he recovered from the virus which forced him to miss night one and he laboured to victory against Robert Thornton last week.
In contrast, Michael Smith appears to be finding his feet in the competition and picked up a morale boosting maiden win over Van Barneveld on night five.
Peter Wright v Adrian Lewis
Wright was twice thwarted by Van Gerwen within a few days, as he was knocked off top spot by the Dutchman in the Premier League, then lost to his rival in the final of Sunday's UK Open.
Last weekend's loss means 'Snakebite' is still searching for his first major title, but he has emerged as a genuine title contender and sits in third place in the Premier League ahead of his latest meeting with Lewis.
'Jackpot' averaged just 93 in a humbling 7-1 defeat to Taylor last week and the enigmatic Lewis could produce a spirited response.
Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade
Wade returned to winning ways on night five as he closed out an impressive 7-4 victory over Dave Chisnall.
With a record of three wins and three defeats, Wade is yet to find any consistency, but is still capable of match changing moments such as his 161 checkout against Chisnall.
Van Barneveld's campaign appears to be heading in the wrong direction as he has lost three of his last four matches, including last week's lacklustre defeat to Smith.
Robert Thornton v Phil Taylor
Van Gerwen's headline stealing displays have overshadowed Taylor's recent revival and he has quietly moved into second place in the standings.
'The Power' handed out a ruthless lesson in finishing to former protege Lewis in the Premier League and then reached the semi-finals of the UK Open, losing to eventual winner Van Gerwen.
Thornton's wretched run continued last week, with the 48-year-old suffering another Premier League defeat to fellow- Scot Anderson, just days before he was ousted by Arron Monk in the early stages of the UK Open.
Dave Chisnall v Michael van Gerwen
Van Gerwen has set new standards this year, recording the highest average in a televised match on night four, and Sky Sports pundits debated whether the Dutch ace could be considered as the best player ever.
He produced another virtuoso performance at the UK Open, which saw him hit a nine-darter and four 170 checkouts on the way to retaining his title.
Chisnall badly needs a positive result to spark his season into life as his only win came on the opening night.
Watch this Thursday night's Premier League matches from 7pm on Sky Sports 1. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, live on NOW TV.
