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

Defending Premier League champion Luke Humphries is in danger of missing out on the top four and failing to qualify for the Play-Offs at London's O2 on May 28. Currently sitting seventh in the Premier League table with 11 points after 10 weeks, Humphries is still searching for his first nightly victory. Last week, he suffered a narrow 6-5 defeat to leader Jonny Clayton in Brighton, with Clayton finishing with a bullseye to win a last-leg decider. Humphries then exited the Player Championship 9 in Wigan at the last-16 stage, as Chris Dobey claimed his second title of 2026. Things don't get easier for the world No 2 as he faces home favourite Gian van Veen in Rotterdam on Thursday. With time running out, Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy discussed Humphries' chances of sneaking into the Play-Off places on the Love The Darts podcast. "Luke isn't dominating like he used to," said Bridge. "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 seven-time winner Michael van Gerwen currently occupying fourth spot on 16 points - five points ahead of Humphries. Commentator Murphy believes Humphries can still turn his season around: "Out of all the players outside the Play-Offs, I think he's the one who could win back-to-back nights and catapult himself into those places." Humphries remains unconcerned about his title defence, stating 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." However, Humphries acknowledges he needs to perform consistently: "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." The BetMGM Premier League continues in Rotterdam, with Dutch No 1 Gian van Veen hosting Luke Humphries on his first Premier League night on home soil. Home hero Michael van Gerwen faces Jonny Clayton, while Luke Littler locks horns with Gerwyn Price in a crucial battle near the top of the table.