Four nights in, and just three victories between them.
It’s fair to say Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have made uncharacteristically sluggish starts to their Premier League Darts campaigns.
But as the weekly darts roadshow rolls into Cardiff for Night 5, should the world No 1 and defending champion be concerned?
Humphries has won just two matches in the 2026 season, while the previously all‑conquering Littler’s only victory came against Humphries on Night 2 in Antwerp.
It leaves the world’s two best players sitting second- and third-bottom in the table on four points, with two of Littler’s points awarded after Michael van Gerwen withdrew from their Night 3 clash in Glasgow due to illness.
Speaking on the Love the Darts podcast, Mark Webster dismissed any suggestion that Littler was experiencing a blip, insisting that both he and Humphries were simply being punished by opponents taking their chances.
“Littler sets such high standards that we expect him to win and perform week in, week out,” Webster said.
“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 just been getting over the line at the minute, but that will change. There will be nightly wins, and I have zero doubt that, come the play-offs, both the Lukes will be there.
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Take a look back 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 won’t be panicking. There’s so much time left. They’re capable players who can win one week and then keep winning 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 final
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Highlights of the final between Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price from Night Two of the Premier League Darts in Antwerp.
Night 5 in Cardiff could reach a thrilling climax, with Welshmen Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton both hoping to secure their second nightly victories.
The Welsh No 1 and No 2 could meet in the final, where they would be vying for the support of a Cardiff crowd that may be split right down the middle.
Having clinched the title on Night 2 in Antwerp, Price has his sights set on a final showdown with Clayton – one he hopes will fulfil a pre‑tournament 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 said.
“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 final in Cardiff. Both hit back‑to‑back nine‑darters, but I hit the one that wins the match. That would be amazing.”
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Watch all four nine-darters hit in the Premier League in Belfast.
Asked who the Cardiff crowd would back, Clayton said: “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 don’t really think they would care who wins. We’ve both got a massive fan base – the Welsh fan base – so if that happens, it would be a cracking night for both 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 no other competition in Wales, so to be part of the Premier League in Cardiff is a great honour. The atmosphere is second to none. To share that with my World Cup partner, Gezzy, I think it’s going to be a party.”
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 more top sport with NOW.
