Michael van Gerwen is aiming to get his Unibet Premier League campaign back on track when he faces Gary Anderson in Thursday’s visit to the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.

Reigning Premier League champion Van Gerwen suffered a 7-5 loss to Peter Wright in last Thursday’s second league night of the season in Cardiff, despite being a comfortable 7-2 winner in Dublin against Rob Cross.

However, Van Gerwen believes that a clash with two-time World Champion Anderson in Newcastle – in a repeat of the 2015 Premier League final which the Scot won – is a perfect challenge for him to bounce back.

Van Gerwen paid the price for nine missed doubles against Wright last week, with the Dutchman landing a 170 finish but losing out in the game’s deciding leg.

Wright will aim to build on that success against Van Gerwen when he takes on Rob Cross in Newcastle, although the world number two is taking nothing for granted despite the World Champion having suffered two losses in the opening fortnight.

Cross bounced back to form in last weekend’s UK Open Qualifiers, which included a semi-final win over Wright on Saturday.

Simon Whitlock sits at the top of the league table ahead of Michael Smith on Leg Difference after the pair won their opening two games.

The Australian, who reached the 2012 Premier League final, plays former champion Raymond van Barneveld in Newcastle and is aiming to continue his impressive start to the campaign.

Smith is aiming to continue his flawless start to the season in Newcastle as he faces winless Mensur Suljovic, who has suffered a pair of 7-5 defeats despite averaging over 100 in both weeks so far.

Two other players without a victory so far this season, reigning World Grand Prix champion Daryl Gurney and 2017 UK Open finalist Gerwyn Price, also meet in Newcastle.

Night Three Match Odds from Unibet

13/10 Mensur Suljovic 33/10 Draw 6/4 Michael Smith

41/50 Daryl Gurney 7/2 Draw 12/5 Gerwyn Price

5/4 Peter Wright 7/2 Draw 6/4 Rob Cross

19/5 Gary Anderson 18/5 Draw 13/25 Michael van Gerwen

47/20 Simon Whitlock 33/10 Draw 17/20 Raymond van Barneveld