Can Defending Champion Humphries Overcome Struggles to Reach the Premier League Top Four?

Defending Premier League champion Luke Humphries is at risk of missing out on a top-four spot and failing to qualify for the Play-Offs at London's O2 on May 28. Currently seventh in the Premier League table with 11 points after 10 weeks, Humphries is still seeking his first nightly victory. A recent 6-5 defeat to leader Jonny Clayton in Brighton, where Clayton finished with a bullseye to win a last-leg decider, has added to Humphries' challenges. He also suffered a last-16 exit at the Player Championship 9 in Wigan, as Chris Dobey secured his second title of 2026. Humphries' task won't get easier as he faces home favorite Gian van Veen in Rotterdam. With time running out, Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy discussed Humphries' chances of making a late push for the Play-Off places on the Love The Darts podcast. "Luke isn't dominating like he used to," Bridge said. "He's getting his life back together, so I don't think the pressure is getting to him as much as it used to. He'll try to go on a run, but I don't think he'll be devastated if he doesn't make the top four." Humphries has six more nights to gain enough points to reach the Play-Off spots, with Michael van Gerwen currently in fourth place on 16 points - five points ahead of Humphries. Commentator Murphy noted, "I don't know what the problem is, but out of all the players currently outside the Play-Offs, I think Humphries is the one who could win back-to-back nights and catapult himself into those places." Humphries remains calm about his title defense, stating he doesn't feel the pressure of defending. "You're not thinking about it every week you're playing in it," the 31-year-old said. "My average in the Premier League this year has been the best it's ever been, but maybe my timing has been off, and people are playing better against me." The BetMGM Premier League continues in Rotterdam, where Dutch No 1 Gian van Veen will host Luke Humphries, and Michael van Gerwen will face Jonny Clayton. Ranking points are awarded per night, with the top four players progressing to Finals Night at The O2 in London on May 28.