The 2019 Unibet Premier League continues with Night Three at Dublin’s 3Arena on Thursday, as the world’s top two players, Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross collide.
The winners of the last three World Championships, Van Gerwen and Cross have produced some memorable encounters over the last three years, none more so than their classic World Championship semi-final clash in December 2017.
World number one Van Gerwen gained his revenge for that loss to Cross by defeating the world number two three times in the 2018 Premier League, including a win in the Play-Offs semi-finals.
Both players have made unbeaten starts to this year’s Premier League, with Van Gerwen recording wins over Michael Smith and Mensur Suljovic, while Cross’ back-to-back ton-plus averages have seen his odds of winning a maiden Premier League title shorten to 8/1 second favourite with title sponsor Unibet.
Four-time Premier League champion Van Gerwen has been in imperious form since claiming his third World Championship on New Year’s Day, backing up his Premier League wins with The Masters and two ProTour titles.
Emerging Irish ace Steve Lennon will be the third Contender to compete in this year’s competition as he makes his Dublin homecoming against world number three Peter Wright.
Lennon enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2018, reaching the quarter-finals of the Players Championship Finals and the final of a European Tour event, and will be looking to continue his journey in front of a passionate 3Arena crowd.
Departing Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld will take his final Premier League bow in Dublin against World Matchplay finalist Suljovic, with both players seeking their first victory of the campaign.
Unbeaten Grand Slam of Darts champion Gerwyn Price will take on European Champion James Wade in the opening game of the evening, while 2018 Premier League finalist Smith meets Players Championship Finals winner Daryl Gurney.
Night Three of the 2019 Unibet Premier League will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, worldwide through the PDC’s broadcast partners, and through PDCTV-HD for Rest of the World Subscribers.
Darts’ widest-reaching tournament sees nine of the world’s top players compete across 17 nights of action from February-May.
The top four players at the end of 16 nights will face off in the Play-Offs at The O2 on May 23, while the ninth-placed player following Judgement Night in Rotterdam will face an early elimination.
Night Three Match Odds
Gerwyn Price 13/10 James Wade 6/4 Draw 33/10
Steve Lennon 9/2 Peter Wright 4/9 Draw 4/1
Michael van Gerwen 11/25 Rob Cross 9/2 Draw 17/4
Michael Smith 21/20 Daryl Gurney 19/10 Draw 33/10
Mensur Suljovic 9/10 Raymond van Barneveld 9/4 Draw 33/10