Michael van Gerwen faces Robert Thornton as battle for top spot and survival heats up in Premier League

The battle at both ends of the Premier League table will intensify on night eight of the Premier League at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

With Judgement night drawing closer, bottom-placed Robert Thornton will be desperately searching for points in his double-header this Thursday.

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At the top, leader Michael van Gerwen will be trying to hold off the chasing trio of Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson and James Wade, with live coverage starting at  7pm on Sky Sports 1.

Michael Smith v Robert Thornton

The schedule starts with a survival battle and Thornton badly needs a win against fellow struggler Smith to keep his hopes alive.

Thornton would draw level with Smith on three points if he picks up his first win of the campaign, piling more pressure on Dave Chisnall, who is third from bottom on the same points tally.

But a win for Smith would push Thornton closer to the trap door and give 'The Bully Boy' a real boost in his own bid to avoid an early exit. 

Sky Bet odds: Smith 10/11, tie 4/1, Thornton 2/1

Gary Anderson v Dave Chisnall

Chisnall desperately needs a result against Anderson after last week's loss to Raymond van Barneveld, his fourth straight defeat.

But this is not an ideal night to face Anderson, who has surged up the table and sits just a point behind Van Gerwen.

The Scotsman defeated Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright on night seven and will be seeking his sixth straight win against 'Chizzy'.

Sky Bet odds: Anderson 4/7, tie 9/2, Chisnall 3/1

Adrian Lewis v Raymond van Barneveld

Lewis and Van Barneveld have both struggled to produce consistent form since the start of the competition.

'Jackpot' averaged 93 in a lacklustre 7-4 defeat against Anderson last week, but 'Barney' did halt his own worrying slump with a 7-4 win over Chisnall.

Van Barneveld is still looking a little anxiously over his shoulder and needs another result to ease any lingering elimination worries.

Lewis 11/10, tie 7/2, Van Barneveld 7/4

Phil Taylor v Peter Wright

Taylor is just one leg adrift of Van Gerwen after battling back from 5-1 down to claim a 6-6 draw with his Dutch rival.

'Snakebite' Wright, however, let a point slip away as his three missed darts allowed Anderson to close out a 7-5 win. 

Such costly lapses are likely to be punished by 'The Power', who ended with a 60 per cent success rate on the doubles against Van Gerwen.

Taylor 4/6, tie 4/1, Wright 11/4

Michael van Gerwen v Robert Thornton

The world No 1 was frustrated by Taylor's fightback and the luckless Thornton could feel the force of a backlash by 'The Green Machine.' 

Van Gerwen was denied victory, despite an average over 107, and treated the Glasgow fans to a fantastic 170 checkout.

But Thornton has shown he can defeat Van Gerwen on the big stage, edging him out in last year's World Grand Prix final.

Van Gerwen 1/8, tie 9/1, Thornton 12/1

Watch all the action from night eight of the Premier League this Thursday night, starting at 7pm on Sky Sports 1.