Can Defending Champion Humphries Recover to Make the 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. Humphries currently sits seventh in the Premier League table with 11 points after 10 weeks, still searching for his first nightly victory. His recent 6-5 defeat to leader Jonny Clayton in Brighton has added to the pressure. Humphries then suffered a last-16 exit at the Player Championship 9 in Wigan. With a tough match against home favourite Gian van Veen in Rotterdam looming, Michael Bridge and Chris Murphy discuss his chances of turning his season around on the Love The Darts podcast. "Luke isn't dominating like he used to," said Bridge. "He's getting his life back on track, so I don't think the pressure is getting to him like it used to." Humphries has six more nights to gain enough points to reach the Play-Off spots, with Michael van Gerwen currently occupying fourth spot on 16 points - five points ahead of Humphries. Commentator Murphy believes Humphries can still go on a winning streak to catapult himself into the top four. "I don't know what the problem is, but out of all the players outside the Play-Offs, I think he's the one who could win back-to-back nights and make a push for the top four." Humphries remains unconcerned about his title defence, claiming he doesn't 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." 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. With ranking points awarded per night, the top four players will progress to Finals Night at The O2 in London on Thursday, May 28.