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

Defending Premier League champion Luke Humphries is at risk of missing out on the top four and failing to secure a spot in 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. His recent 6-5 defeat to leader Jonny Clayton in Brighton, where Clayton finished with a bullseye to edge a last-leg decider, has added to his challenges. Humphries then suffered a last-16 exit at the Player Championship 9 in Wigan, as Chris Dobey won his second title of 2026. Things won't get easier for the world No 2 as he faces home favourite Gian van Veen in Rotterdam. With 'Cool Hand' 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." 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 noted, "I don't know what the problem is because something does seem slightly off, but out of all the players that are out of the Play-Offs at the moment I would say he's the one who could go on and win back-to-back nights and catapult himself into those places." Humphries remains unconcerned about his title defence, claiming he "doesn't really feel the pressure of defending". The BetMGM Premier League moves to Rotterdam, where Dutch No 1 Gian van Veen will host Luke Humphries, and home hero Michael van Gerwen faces Jonny Clayton. 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.