Can Luke Humphries Overcome Struggles to Defend Premier League Title?

Defending Premier League champion Luke Humphries is in danger of missing out on the top four, and his chances of making the Play-Offs at London's O2 on May 28 are dwindling. Currently seventh in the Premier League table with 11 points after 10 weeks, Humphries is still searching for his first nightly victory. His recent 6-5 defeat to leader Jonny Clayton in Brighton, where Clayton finished with a bullseye to edge a last-leg decider, has not helped his cause. Humphries also suffered a last-16 exit at the Player Championship 9 in Wigan, where Chris Dobey won his second title of 2026. Things will not get easier for the world No 2 as he faces home favourite Gian van Veen in Rotterdam on Thursday. With Humphries looking to build momentum and push towards the Play-Off places, Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy discussed his chances on the Love The Darts podcast. "Luke isn't running away with things anymore," said Bridge. "He's getting his life back a bit because he's going to Aintree 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." 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 the Cheshire thrower. Commentator Murphy believes Humphries could still go on a run and win back-to-back nights to catapult himself into the Play-Offs. "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," said Murphy. Humphries, who won 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. 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." The BetMGM Premier League moves to Rotterdam, where 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 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.