Premier League Darts permutations: Luke Humphries chasing down Michael van Gerwen or Gerwyn Worth for play-off spot

“Time is running out” for Luke Humphries, in response to 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 remains to be with out a nightly win in 2026 and suffered a convincing 6-2 quarter-final defeat to Luke Littler on Night time 12 in Liverpool to stay caught on 13 factors, slipping again into sixth spot within the desk because of this.

Gian van Veen leapfrogged the world No 2 with the 2 factors from his quarter-final win over Gerwyn Worth, 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 want a nightly win, and for Van Gerwen to go pointless, simply to attract degree with the Dutchman. And he’ll possible want greater than that…

“There’s four weeks left now, and if he’s to have any chance of retaining that title, I think he needs to win a couple of nights,” mentioned Sky Sports activities‘ Laura Turner.

The identical applies to Van Veen (fifth, 14 factors) and Stephen Bunting (seventh, 11 factors), who’re presently on the skin wanting in because the chasing pack look to claw within the nonetheless catchable Van Gerwen (4th, 18 factors) and Worth (third, 19 factors).

Humphries faces Van Gerwen on Night time 13 in Aberdeen, whereas Bunting goes up in opposition to Worth 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 Night time, despite the fact that it feels a mere formality after one other closing between between the pair in Liverpool.

Clayton and Littler have shared the final three nightly wins to sit down 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 closing matchup, profitable 6-1.

Clayton can verify his place on the O2 on Could 28 with victory in his quarter-final in opposition to Van Veen in Aberdeen on Night time 13. Even in defeat, he may nonetheless clinch his spot, as long as Van Veen would not go on to win the evening.

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’m very close to Jonny now. I’m going to go chasing,” Littler promised after his thumping closing win over ‘The Ferret’ in Liverpool. “I want to finish top once again. If it’s not to be, it’s not to be. But there’s still four weeks to go.”

Can Rock nonetheless make Finals Night time?

Josh Rock remains 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 Night time 12, Rock was truly within the midst of a powerful run of kind. After ready eight weeks for a maiden Premier League victory, Rock rattled off 4 quarter-final wins in a row by Night time 11 till MVG ended that run.

In kind or not, the Northern Irishman has absolutely 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 offered MVG would not achieve a single level, and that the remainder of the chasing pack do not make up floor themselves.

Premier League Darts – remaining league fixtures

Night time 13 – April 30, P&J Stay, Aberdeen

Quarter-finals
Josh Rock v Luke Littler
Stephen Bunting v Gerwyn Worth
Jonny Clayton v Gian van Veen
Luke Humphries v Michael van Gerwen

Night time 14 – Could 7, First Direct Enviornment, Leeds

Quarter-finals
Gerwyn Worth v Jonny Clayton
Luke Littler v Michael van Gerwen
Josh Rock v Luke Humphries
Gian van Veen v Stephen Bunting

Night time 15 – Could 14, Utilita Enviornment, Birmingham

Quarter-finals
Josh Rock v Gian van Veen
Gerwyn Worth v Michael van Gerwen
Luke Humphries v Stephen Bunting
Jonny Clayton v Luke Littler

Night time 16 – Could 21, Utilita Enviornment, Sheffield

Primarily based on league desk after Night time 15
Quarter-finals
2nd vs seventh
third vs sixth
1st vs eighth
4th vs fifth

What’s the format for Finals Night time?

The season-ending play-offs happen on a bumper evening at The O2 in London on Thursday, Could 28.

Finals Night time is just not the best-of-11 legs we see within the common rounds, with every semi-final contested over 19 legs earlier than a closing that’s the best-of-21 legs as a substitute.

What’s the prize?

As a part of the PDC’s largest prize cash enhance in its historical past, the whole prize pot for the 2026 Premier League is £1.25 million, up from £1m the earlier yr.

Every of the 4 semi-finalists are assured £110,000, with the runner-up taking dwelling £170,000 and the winner claiming £350,000.

Who will win this yr’s Premier League Darts? You possibly can watch the motion each single Thursday till Could on Sky Sports activities. Stream darts and extra prime sport with NOW.