“Time is operating out” for Luke Humphries, based on Sky Sports activities’ Wayne Mardle, because the defending Premier League Darts champion sits outdoors of the top-four play-off spots with simply 4 common weeks remaining.
Is Luke Humphries in peril of lacking out?
Humphries continues to be with out a nightly win in 2026 and suffered a convincing 6-2 quarter-final defeat to Luke Littler on Evening 12 in Liverpool to stay caught on 13 factors, slipping again into sixth spot within the desk in consequence.
Highlights of the Premier League Darts match between Luke Littler and Luke Humphries on Evening 12 in Liverpool
Gian van Veen leapfrogged the world No 2 with the 2 factors from his quarter-final win over Gerwyn Value, whereas Michael van Gerwen elevated the hole to Humphries in fourth spot to 5 factors as he too reached the semi-finals.
It implies that Humphries would wish a nightly win, and for Van Gerwen to go pointless, simply to attract stage with the Dutchman. And he’ll probably want greater than that…
“There’s 4 weeks left now, and if he is to have any likelihood of retaining that title, I feel he must win a few nights,” stated Sky Sports activities‘ Laura Turner.
The identical applies to Van Veen (fifth, 14 factors) and Stephen Bunting (seventh, 11 factors), who’re at present on the skin wanting in because the chasing pack look to claw within the nonetheless catchable Van Gerwen (4th, 18 factors) and Value (third, 19 factors).
Humphries faces Van Gerwen on Evening 13 in Aberdeen, whereas Bunting goes up towards Value in his quarter-final, giving each a golden alternative to shut the hole, or for his or her opponents to extend it additional.
Clayton and Littler battling for prime spot
Technically, the highest two can nonetheless be caught. Neither Jonny Clayton nor Littler are but assured of their locations at Finals Evening, although it feels a mere formality after one other remaining between between the pair in Liverpool.
Clayton and Littler have shared the final three nightly wins to take a seat first and second respectively, on 32 and 29 factors, whereas Littler matched the Welshman’s 4 nightly wins for the season as he prevailed within the pair’s second-straight remaining matchup, successful 6-1.
Highlights of the Premier League Darts remaining between Luke Littler and Jonny Clayton on Evening 12 in Liverpool
Clayton can affirm his place on the O2 on Might 28 with victory in his quarter-final towards Van Veen in Aberdeen on Evening 13. Even in defeat, he might nonetheless clinch his spot, as long as Van Veen does not go on to win the night time.
The larger story on the prime of the desk although is the tussle for prime spot between Clayton and Littler, with solely three factors separating the pair.
“I am very near Jonny now. I’ll go chasing,” Littler promised after his thumping remaining win over ‘The Ferret’ in Liverpool. “I wish to end prime as soon as once more. If it is to not be, it is to not be. However there’s nonetheless 4 weeks to go.”
Talking after successful Evening 12, Luke Littler insists he will not accept only a Premier League play-off place and plans to chase Jonny Clayton for prime spot within the desk
Can Rock nonetheless make Finals Evening?
Josh Rock continues to be rooted to the foot of the desk after his quarter-final exit to Van Gerwen in Liverpool, caught on eight factors and 10 off a play-off spot.
Coming into Evening 12, Rock was really within the midst of a robust run of type. After ready eight weeks for a maiden Premier League victory, Rock rattled off 4 quarter-final wins in a row via Evening 11 till MVG ended that run.
Josh Rock virtually hits one of many strangest nine-darters ever towards Michael Van Gerwen of their Premier League conflict on Evening 12
In type or not, the Northern Irishman has certainly left himself an excessive amount of to do over the ultimate 4 weeks, as two nightly wins would see him solely tie Van Gerwen for fourth – and that is supplied MVG does not acquire a single level, and that the remainder of the chasing pack do not make up floor themselves.
Premier League Darts – remaining league fixtures
Evening 13 – April 30, P&J Stay, Aberdeen
Quarter-finals
Josh Rock v Luke Littler
Stephen Bunting v Gerwyn Value
Jonny Clayton v Gian van Veen
Luke Humphries v Michael van Gerwen
Evening 14 – Might 7, First Direct Area, Leeds
Quarter-finals
Gerwyn Value v Jonny Clayton
Luke Littler v Michael van Gerwen
Josh Rock v Luke Humphries
Gian van Veen v Stephen Bunting
Evening 15 – Might 14, Utilita Area, Birmingham
Quarter-finals
Josh Rock v Gian van Veen
Gerwyn Value v Michael van Gerwen
Luke Humphries v Stephen Bunting
Jonny Clayton v Luke Littler
Evening 16 – Might 21, Utilita Area, Sheffield
Primarily based on league desk after Evening 15
Quarter-finals
2nd vs seventh
third vs sixth
1st vs eighth
4th vs fifth
What’s the format for Finals Evening?
The season-ending play-offs happen on a bumper night time at The O2 in London on Thursday, Might 28.
Finals Evening shouldn’t be the best-of-11 legs we see within the common rounds, with every semi-final contested over 19 legs earlier than a remaining that’s the best-of-21 legs as an alternative.
A glance again at how Luke Humphries claimed his Premier League title in 2025
What’s the prize?
As a part of the PDC’s greatest prize cash enhance in its historical past, the full prize pot for the 2026 Premier League is £1.25 million, up from £1m the earlier 12 months.
Every of the 4 semi-finalists are assured £110,000, with the runner-up taking house £170,000 and the winner claiming £350,000.
Who will win this 12 months’s Premier League Darts? You’ll be able to watch the motion each single Thursday till Might on Sky Sports activities. Stream darts and extra prime sport with NOW.
