Four nights in, and simply three victories between them.
It’s truthful to say Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have made uncharacteristically sluggish begins to their Premier League Darts campaigns.
But because the weekly darts roadshow rolls into Cardiff for Night 5, ought to the world No 1 and defending champion be involved?
Humphries has received simply two matches in the 2026 season, whereas the beforehand all‑conquering Littler’s solely victory got here towards Humphries on Night 2 in Antwerp.
It leaves the world’s two finest gamers sitting second- and third-bottom in the desk on 4 factors, with two of Littler’s factors awarded after Michael van Gerwen withdrew from their Night 3 conflict in Glasgow due to sickness.
Speaking on the Love the Darts podcast, Mark Webster dismissed any suggestion that Littler was experiencing a blip, insisting that each he and Humphries have been merely being punished by opponents taking their possibilities.
“Littler sets such high standards that we expect him to win and perform week in, week out,” Webster mentioned.
“I wouldn’t even call this a blip. He’s just started a bit slow, and players have taken their chances. How many times have we seen him trail four or five legs down but still manage to turn it around?
“Players have simply been getting over the road on the minute, however that will change. There will be nightly wins, and I’ve zero doubt that, come the play-offs, each the Lukes will be there.
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Take a glance again at some memorable moments from the Premier League in Cardiff.
“I don’t think they have massively underperformed. I just think players have taken their opportunities. I always say that to beat the two Lukes, when they’re having an off spell, you’ve got to make hay – and players have been doing that.
“The Lukes will not be panicking. There’s a lot time left. They’re succesful gamers who can win one week and then maintain successful week after week.
“But it does make the table look a little bit refreshing, because we’re so used to talking about the two Lukes being first and second, and now they’ve got a bit of battling to do.”
Price dreaming of blockbuster all-Welsh last
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Highlights of the ultimate between Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price from Night Two of the Premier League Darts in Antwerp.
Night 5 in Cardiff might attain an exhilarating climax, with Welshmen Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton each hoping to safe their second nightly victories.
The Welsh No 1 and No 2 might meet in the ultimate, the place they’d be vying for the assist of a Cardiff crowd which may be break up proper down the center.
Having clinched the title on Night 2 in Antwerp, Price has his sights set on a last showdown with Clayton – one he hopes will fulfil a pre‑event prediction.
“It is good, and we are on separate halves of the draw, so hopefully it’s going to be an all‑Welsh final,” he mentioned.
“It is nice to have Jonny there, and it is great to get back to Cardiff. The crowd are obviously going to be neutral, and there will be some support there for me.
“Imagine my prediction coming true – me and Jonny in the ultimate in Cardiff. Both hit again‑to‑again 9‑darters, however I hit the one which wins the match. That can be superb.”
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Watch all 4 nine-darters hit in the Premier League in Belfast.
Asked who the Cardiff crowd would again, Clayton mentioned: “I don’t know, to be honest. I would turn around and say they just go with the flow. I think they just support good darts.
“I do not actually suppose they’d care who wins. We’ve each bought an enormous fan base – the Welsh fan base – so if that occurs, it might be a cracking evening for each of us.
“It would mean everything to win, because I think Gezzy has won in Cardiff. I’ve not won in Cardiff; I lost to Peter Wright in the final, so I would love to have that.
“There is not any different competitors in Wales, so to be a part of the Premier League in Cardiff is a superb honour. The environment is second to none. To share that with my World Cup companion, Gezzy, I believe it is going to be a celebration.”
Premier League Night Five – Utilita Arena, Cardiff
Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Luke Humphries
Gian van Veen v Jonny Clayton
Gerwyn Price v Stephen Bunting
Luke Littler v Josh Rock
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch the action every single Thursday from February until May on Sky Sports. Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW.
