THE 2019 Unibet Premier League continues with Night 12 at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on Thursday, as Michael van Gerwen and Rob Cross face-off in a top of the table clash.
After the opening 11 nights of action, Cross sits a point clear at the top of the league, with the former World Champion threatening to end Van Gerwen's incredible record of topping the Premier League standings every year since his 2013 debut season.
However, Van Gerwen came out on top of their meeting in Dublin on Night Three and the world number one is confident of repeating the feat in the Welsh capital.
"I will knock him off top spot, but I think it will be a cracking game," said Van Gerwen, who holds a 13-3 winning record over Cross.
"Rob is playing really good darts, he's one of the guys in form but I'm confident in my ability and I know what I can do.
"I will put the pressure on him and we'll see how he handles that."
Having reached the Play-Offs in his debut Premier League campaign, Cross has enjoyed a successful second season and is on course for a return to The O2 on May 23.
Since suffering a crushing 7-2 defeat to Van Gerwen in Dublin, Cross has won seven of his last eight Premier League encounters, and comes into the crunch clash as the league's form player.
"I think I'm a better player than when I won the world and I'm really enjoying my darts at the moment," said Cross, who famously beat Van Gerwen in an 11-set epic en route to winning the World Championship.
"Michael is going to play well and do what he does, but it doesn't mean that you can't beat him in a one-off match or come on top over the duration of a season.
"The plan is to go and enjoy it like I have done every week in this year's Premier League. He'll play his game, I'll play mine and I'll come out on top."
With five games to play for the eight remaining players, the battle is intensifying for the four places in the Play-Offs at The O2 on May 23.
Welsh number one Price is ready to embrace the warm reception of the Cardiff crowd as he continues his bid for a top four finish against 2018 Premier League finalist Michael Smith, who is currently propping up the table in eighth.
Price has enjoyed a successful second Premier League campaign so far, and is one of four players tied on 12 points in the tight race to The O2.
"I'm looking forward to it more than any other week, it will be a great feeling to play in front of a Welsh crowd," said Price.
"Obviously it will be a very different environment for me but hopefully I will thrive on the support as well as I cope with the negativity against me most weeks.
"I'm going into Cardiff in a good run of form, I'm feeling confident as ever and I'm determined to put another two points on the board. I really want to get into the top four."
Fresh from winning three PDC titles in eight days at Players Championship events, James Wade will also be looking to keep himself in the Play-Off picture as he takes on 2017 finalist Peter Wright, who is in danger of losing touch with the top six.
Meanwhile, the opening game of the evening will see fifth-placed Mensur Suljovic and sixth-placed Daryl Gurney face-off in another crucial match between two Play-Off chasers.
Night 12 of the Unibet Premier League in Cardiff will be shown live on Sky Sports, worldwide through the PDC's broadcast partners, and through video.pdc.tv for Rest of the World Subscribers.
Night 12 - Thursday April 18
Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Mensur Suljovic v Daryl Gurney
Rob Cross v Michael van Gerwen
Michael Smith v Gerwyn Price
Peter Wright v James Wade
Tickets: 029 2022 4488 or click here
Unibet Premier League – Night 12 Match Odds
8/5 Mensur Suljovic – Draw 7/2 – Daryl Gurney 6/5
10/3 Rob Cross – Draw 9/2 – Michael Van Gerwen 1/2
5/4 Michael Smith – Draw 18/5 – Gerwyn Price 6/4
7/5 Peter Wright – Draw 7/2 – James Wade 27/20
Unibet Night 12 Specials
8 or More 180s in Cross/MVG and Smith/Price Games 3/1
Gurney, Wright and Smith Most 180s 11/2
Gurney, MVG and Smith Most 180s 6/1
Gurney, MVG, Wright and Smith Most 180s 12/1
MVG and Daryl Gurney both Win and Have Most 180s 8/1
Michael Smith and Michael Van Gerwen King of the Oche Double 25/1
Peter Wright and Michael Van Gerwen King of the Oche Double 28/1
Peter Wright and Michael Smith King of the Oche Double 33/1
Gerwyn Price and Michael Van Gerwen King of the Oche Double 33/1
Unibet Premier League Darts 2019 - To Win Outright
Michael Van Gerwen - 13/25
Rob Cross - 4/1
James Wade - 14/1
Daryl Gurney - 16/1
Gerwyn Price - 16/1
Mensur Suljovic - 16/1
Michael Smith - 40/1
Peter Wright - 40/1
Odds via www.unibet.co.uk and correct at time of writing. Subject to fluctuation.
