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

As the Premier League season heats up, reigning champion Luke Humphries is facing a tough battle to secure a top-four spot and defend his title at the O2 in London on May 28. With only 11 points from 10 weeks, Humphries is currently seventh in the table and still seeking his first nightly victory. A recent 6-5 defeat to leader Jonny Clayton in Brighton has added to the pressure, and things won't get easier as he faces home favorite Gian van Veen in Rotterdam. Experts Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy discuss Humphries' chances of turning his season around and sneaking into the Play-Offs. "Luke isn't dominating like he used to," Bridge said. "He's getting his life back on track, and I don't think missing the top four would devastate him like it would have a couple of years ago." Humphries has six more nights to gain enough points to reach the Play-Off spots, with Michael van Gerwen currently occupying fourth spot on 16 points. Commentator Murphy believes Humphries has the potential to go on a winning streak and catapult himself into the top four. "I don't think it's panic time yet, but he is running out of time and needs to get that nightly win," Murphy said. Humphries remains unconcerned about his title defense, claiming he doesn't feel the pressure. "You're not thinking about it every week you're playing in it," he said. "My average this year in the Premier League has been the best it has ever been, but maybe my timing has been off, and people are playing better against me." The BetMGM Premier League continues in Rotterdam, with Dutch No 1 Gian van Veen hosting Humphries on his first Premier League night on home soil.