Defending Premier League darts champion Luke Humphries is facing an uphill battle to secure a top-four finish and qualify for the Play-Offs at London's O2 on May 28. Humphries, currently seventh in the Premier League table with 11 points after 10 weeks, has yet to achieve a nightly victory. Last week, he suffered a narrow 6-5 defeat to leader Jonny Clayton in Brighton, and then exited the Player Championship 9 in Wigan at the last-16 stage.
His schedule doesn't get any easier, with an upcoming match against home favorite Gian van Veen in Rotterdam. Analysts Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy discuss Humphries' chances of turning his season around on the Love The Darts podcast. "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." With six nights remaining, Humphries needs to gain ground on fourth-placed Michael van Gerwen, who has a five-point advantage. Commentator Chris Murphy believes Humphries has the potential to go on a winning streak and catapult himself into the Play-Off spots. "I don't think it's panic time yet, but he is running out of time and needs to win nights to get through," Murphy said. Humphries remains calm about his title defense, stating he doesn't feel the pressure of defending his title.
"My average in the Premier League this year has been the best it's ever been," he said. "Maybe my timing has been off, and people are playing better against me. It's just one of those things that happens in sports." The Premier League moves to Rotterdam, where Dutch No. 1 Gian van Veen will host Humphries, and Michael van Gerwen will face Jonny Clayton.
The top four players will progress to Finals Night at The O2 in London on May 28.