Premier League Darts: Will defending champion Luke Humphries miss out on the top four and fail to make the Play-Offs at London's O2?
Luke Humphries finds himself under pressure in his defence of the Premier League title with a clash against Gian van Veen in Rotterdam on Thursday from 6pm to come; you can watch Premier League Darts live on Sky Sports every Thursday
Tuesday 14 April 2026 15:11, UK
Will defending Premier League champion Luke Humphries miss out on the top four and fail to make the Play-Offs at London's O2 on May 28?
Humphries currently sits down in seventh in the Premier League table after 10 weeks with 11 points, still searching for his first nightly victory.
He suffered a 6-5 defeat to leader Jonny Clayton in Brighton last week as the Welsh No 1 finished with a bullseye to edge a last-leg decider.
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Humphries then suffered a last-16 exit at the Player Championship 9 in Wigan as Chris Dobey romped to his second title of 2026 on Monday.
Things don't get any easier for the world No 2 as he takes on home favourite Gian van Veen in Rotterdam on Thursday.
With 'Cool Hand' looking to build momentum and push towards the Play-Off places, Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy joined this week's Love The Darts podcast to discuss his chances of sneaking in with time running out.
"Luke isn't running away with things anymore," said Bridgey. "He's getting his life back a bit because he's going to Aintree [for the Grand National] and Cheltenham, so I don't think things are getting to him like they used to.
"He'll try and go on a run now, but I don't think he'll be devastated if he doesn't make the top four. Not like it would a couple of years ago.
"It would have hurt him losing in Brighton, but I don't think it will devastate him."
After Rotterdam, Humphries has six more nights to gain enough points to reach the Play-Off spots. Seven-time winner Michael van Gerwen currently occupies fourth spot on 16 points - five points ahead of the Cheshire thrower.
"I don't know what the problem is because something does seem slightly off, but out of all the players that are out of the Play-Offs at the moment I would say he's the one who could go on and win back-to-back nights and catapult himself into those places," said commentator Murphy.
"I don't think it's complete panic stations yet but he is running out of time and does need to get that nightly win. It's not just about winning matches for him. He needs to win nights to get through."
Humphries 'not worried' about form
Humphries, who collected his ninth career European Tour title at the Belgian Darts Open last month, remains unconcerned about his title defence, claiming he "doesn't really feel the pressure of defending".
"You're not thinking about it every week you're playing in it," said the 31-year-old. "I think my average this year in the Premier League has been the best it has ever been. It was better than 2024 at this moment in time and better than 2025.
"But maybe my timing has been off and people are playing better against me.
"That is just what happens in sport. Sometimes you can be playing really well and are just not getting the rewards.
"It happens, but it is not something I am worried about. I have been playing well this year and have won a couple of tournaments.
"I am not too worried about the form, it is just that I have not been performing at a consistent level in the Premier League.
"But I'm still performing well. It is up to me now to put in those big performances, to try and maybe win one or two nights, get myself up there and try to get into the O2 and defend that title.
"If I don't, so be it. I am not going to be too hard on myself."
What's happening on Premier League Night 11 in Berlin
The BetMGM Premier League moves across the English Channel, as Rotterdam hosts another crucial night of action.
Dutch No 1 Gian van Veen will host Luke Humphries on his first Premier League night on home soil, as home hero Michael van Gerwen faces Jonny Clayton.
Luke Littler locks horns with Gerwyn Price in a crucial battle near the top of the table, while Stephen Bunting hopes to make further inroads towards the Play-Offs as he takes on Josh Rock.
Ranking points are awarded per night - with five to the winner, three to the runner-up and two to the semi-finalists - to form the league table from which the top four players will progress to Finals Night at The O2 in London on Thursday May 28.
Who will win this year's Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch the action every single Thursday until May on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
