Can Defending Champion Humphries Overcome Struggles to Claim a Top Four Spot?

As the Premier League's defending champion, Luke Humphries is facing an uphill battle to secure a top four spot and participate in the Play-Offs at London's O2 on May 28. Currently ranked 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 the last-leg decider. Humphries then experienced a disappointing last-16 exit at the Player Championship 9 in Wigan, where Chris Dobey claimed his second title of 2026. The world No 2 will face an even tougher challenge as he takes on home favorite Gian van Veen in Rotterdam on Thursday. With time running out, Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy joined the Love The Darts podcast to discuss Humphries' chances of making a late push for the Play-Off places. 'Luke isn't dominating like he used to,' Bridge said. 'He's getting his life back on track, and I don't think the pressure is getting to him as much as it used to.' After Rotterdam, Humphries has six more nights to accumulate 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 has the potential to go on a winning streak and catapult himself into the top four. 'I don't think it's time to panic yet, but he is running out of time and needs to secure that nightly win,' Murphy said. Humphries remains calm about his title defense, stating that he 'doesn't really feel the pressure of defending' and that his average in the Premier League this year has been the best it's ever been. The BetMGM Premier League will continue in Rotterdam, with Dutch No 1 Gian van Veen hosting Luke Humphries on his first Premier League night on home soil, while home hero Michael van Gerwen faces Jonny Clayton.