The Betway Premier League is in Exeter on Thursday, but world number one Michael van Gerwen will not be in town due to a back injury.

Dave Chisnall will step up to play twice and will now tackle James Wade, who MVG was due to face, as well as his own original opponent Raymond van Barneveld. MVG will now double up in the Manchester leg.

Van Gerwen has pulled out of the Exeter showpiece as he looks to play in the UK Open this weekend, although he will take medical advice before announcing if he is playing.

Chisnall is up for the task of playing twice on the night and said: “It’s a shame that Michael’s injured but I’ve got to try and make the most of it on Thursday.

“I’ve got to see it like one of the nights later in the season when you would play twice anyway, and hopefully I can pick up points in both games. If I have a good night it could be massive for my season.”

The fifth league night of the 2017 season sees the stars return to the south-west for the start of one of the calendar’s busiest weekends, with Thursday’s event followed by the Coral UK Open from Friday to Sunday.

While 56-year-old Taylor will miss the UK Open as he continues to scale down his playing commitments ahead of retirement, Scottish star Anderson is aiming for a victory to further boost his confidence.

The two-time World Champion, who is based in Somerset, had drawn with James Wade in Brighton last Thursday and has won just one of his opening four matches.

However, after claiming his first ranking title of the year with a Players Championship triumph on Sunday, Anderson is eagerly awaiting the meeting with Taylor.

Taylor is one of three unbeaten players following the opening four weeks, but is aiming to improve his form after drawing with Kim Huybrechts a week ago.

Peter Wright, who sits in fourth place after the opening four weeks, comes up against two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis – who is aiming to follow up his draw with Van Gerwen and a nine-darter on Sunday with a second win of the season.

A huge clash at the other end of the table sees two players tied on two points, Jelle Klaasen and Kim Huybrechts, come head-to-head, with the Dutchman in confident mood after picking up his first win of the season last week.

Below we have an exclusive run through of each clash with Betway’s Alan Alger.

Dave Chisnall v Raymond van Barneveld

Losing to Jelle Klaasen last week has put Chizzy in all kinds of trouble. The only saving grace is that all the other games ended in draws and didn’t string out the table ahead of him. He needs a response, and quick. Barney is great at taking advantage when another player’s confidence is on the wane and he can justify favouritism at Evens.

Jelle Klaasen v Kim Huybrechts

Great friends off the oche, but they will have to find a killer instinct in this clash which will almost certainly end with an outright loser planted in the relegation zone. Their performance levels have been roughly the same throughout and this could end in a draw, which may not suit either of them, at 7/2.

Gary Anderson v Phil Taylor

The Power is one of three unbeaten players at the top of the current standings, but this could be the first defeat in his final Premier League season. Anderson can be backed at 8/11 to finally click into gear and get himself nicely into the top 4 in the table.

Adrian Lewis v Peter Wright

These two have had some great battles in the last few years. I can see Adrian being popular once the punters find out he’s nearly a 2/1 outsider. But a draw looks decent value here at 7/2.

James Wade v Dave Chisnall

Chizzy has the perfect opportunity to boost himself into mid-table with a double on the night. Wade would have been preparing for an encounter with the World Number 1, but it would be foolish to relax, especially if Chizzy has got his eye in in that first game. A draw could appeal at 7/2.

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