“Jonny Clayton is an absolute certainty” – Analyst backs former Premier League Darts champion to seal playoff spot in 2026

Jonny Clayton looks destined to reach this year’s Premier League Darts play-offs, according to darts commentator Chris Murphy. The Welshman, nicknamed “The Ferret,” sits third in the table after two nights and appears on course to meet expectations.

Clayton is currently fifth in the world rankings and boasts an impressive track record in the Premier League Darts.

On debut in 2021 he claimed the title straight away, and in the two years that followed he reached the play-offs each time. His experience and consistency make him, in Murphy’s view, a lock for the play-offs.

“I think Jonny Clayton is an absolute certainty to be in the top four,” says Murphy on Sky Sports' Love the Darts podcast. “I think it is a sixteen-week season before the finals, and I think he is one of the most consistent players in world darts."

Murphy stressed that Clayton’s dip in form about eighteen months ago was mainly due to personal circumstances. “The dip in form he had around a year ago to 18 months ago coincided with stuff going on behind the scenes. He lost his father after that Matchplay run. I think he has arguably come back better than ever."

Although Clayton suffered an unexpected quarterfinal defeat to Ryan Searle at the recent World Darts Championship, Murphy does not see this as a structural issue. “He maybe could have gone further at the Worlds but just didn’t really turn up against Ryan Searle, who played really well."

There is reason for optimism for Clayton fans. His big-stage experience, combined with current form, makes him one of the most reliable names in the competition, according to Murphy. “I think over the course of the 16 weeks, I expect him to be consistent enough to get into the play-offs without a problem in third.”

Clayton reached the semi-finals on the second night of the Premier League Darts yesterday. The 51-year-old Welshman lost 6-5 to eventual winner Gerwyn Price. In the standings, Clayton currently sits in third place.