Michael van Gerwen is targeting a fourth Unibet Premier League title in Thursday’s Play-Offs, with Michael Smith, Gary Anderson and Rob Cross also chasing the £250,000 first prize at The O2 in London.

The world number one will be out to avenge his World Championship semi-final defeat to Cross when he takes on his Alexandra Palace conqueror in the opening match of the evening.

Van Gerwen recorded two 7-2 victories over Cross in the league stage of this year’s tournament, and the Dutchman is bidding to make it a hat-trick of wins to progress to his sixth consecutive Premier League final.

In contrast, Cross will be making his Play-Offs debut, having recorded eight wins in his maiden Premier League campaign to secure his spot at The O2.

Cross recovered well following a slow start to the season, and now the reigning World Champion is eager to go all the way on Thursday night.

The second semi-final will see close friends Anderson and Smith go head-to-head, and the Scot is in familiar territory having qualified for The O2 for a fifth successive year.

Two-time Premier League champion Anderson secured his Play-Off spot with a win over Van Gerwen in Aberdeen last week, and the Scottish star knows he will have to be at his best to beat his protégé Smith.

Smith will also be making his debut Play-Offs appearance, although he has experience of playing on stage at The O2, having won the World Youth Championship final in 2013 against Ricky Evans.

The St Helens star has enjoyed a memorable second Premier League campaign, which saw him end the league phase in second place, and Smith is now focussed on making Thursday the biggest night of his life.

A crowd of 10,000 fans will pack The O2 on Thursday to see the tournament’s conclusion, with a £250,000 first prize on offer for the eventual champion.

Unibet Match Odds

Michael van Gerwen – 1/6 Rob Cross – 4/1

Michael Smith – 9/4 Gary Anderson – 7/20

Unibet Outright Winner Odds

Michael van Gerwen – 1/2
Gary Anderson – 7/2
Rob Cross – 7/1
Michael Smith – 10/1