Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Wayne Mardell is backing Luke Humphries to successfully defend his Premier League darts title, saying the world No 2 is “the man to beat” after a major upturn in form.
Humphries – an 11-8 winner against Luke Littler in last year’s showpiece – spent most of this campaign outside the play-off spots but then reached the finals over the final four weeks of the regular season, winning on the final evening in Birmingham.
‘Cool Hand’ finished third in the standings during his run to the Night 16 final in Sheffield, meaning he will now avoid table-toppers Littler in next week’s semi-finals at London’s O2 Arena.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the last 16 night in the Premier League as Humphries were beaten 6-3 by Stephen Bunting
Instead, Humphries will play second-placed Jonny Clayton, while Littler is the only man in the play-offs yet to win the Premier League title, Garwyn Price.
Humphries Sheffield was beaten in the final by Stephen Bunting but beat Littler 6-1 in the semi-final, making it six legs for the second week in a row against ‘The Nuke’.
‘I like how Humphries goes about his business’
Sky Sports Pundit Mardell said the night before the final: “I have no idea (who will win) but I’ll go with Humphries on recency bias.
“I like the way he goes about his business and he was good in the defeat (at Sheffield). There was a bit of head shaking but he was good.
“The way Luke has coped in the last four weeks is incredible. It would have been easy to fold but he’s shown he’s an absolute champion.”
Mardell had earlier praised Humphries’ treble hitting as he ended Littler’s hopes of a record seventh night win in a single season, saying: “In my opinion, he’s one of the best scorers on the planet and one of the best I’ve seen in a while.
“When he gets it right, his two- and three-triple visits are better than anybody — and I include Littler. He can fit a dart in there when he doesn’t have the right to go in.
“A single ton is no longer the way forward. With Humphries’ treble, he sees himself in many doubles.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Humphries also won the Birmingham semi-final in six legs against Littler
‘Clayton could riot at the O2’
However, Mardell added that 2021 champions Clayton could “run riot” in the capital, picking up four night wins on their way to second place in their first Premier League campaign since 2023.
Mardell said: “Clayton is going under the radar. It’s ‘Oh, Humphries and Price will want to play him instead of Luke Littler.’
“But Clayton can run riot next week because he’s run riot so many times this year. If he does it again on another Thursday, he wins.
All four players will wake up next Thursday thinking ‘is it mine today?’ They all know they can win it. Price hasn’t won yet but we know he can.
“Clayton was the guy on the outside, which meant finishing at the bottom.
“He’ll be an outsider next week but he’ll keep his tail up and not want to be drafted. He won’t be drafted because he’s too good.
“Clayton was the man this season, then Littler was the man, now Humphries is the man, who plays so well, can hit.”
Watch Premier League Darts Final Live Sky Sports Action And Sky Sports Main Event Thursdays from 7 p.m. Stream Darts and more great games now – contract-free.
