“Michael has always been a player for the big occasions" - Luke Humphries expects the best of Van Gerwen in Cardiff Premier League Darts meeting
PDC
Luke Humphries is looking to return to winning ways in Cardiff on Thursday night, after being stranded in the quarter-finals in the past two nights of the 2025 Premier League Darts. The 30-year-old Englishman will take on Michael van Gerwen in the last eight, who has already won five of his six quarter-finals this season - more than any other player.
Yet the Dutchman also has his own challenges: on all those nights he failed to survive the semifinals. The only time Van Gerwen came close to a final place was on the opening night in Belfast, where he missed a matchdart on the bull against Humphries in a thrilling confrontation.
Remarkably, Humphries has won nine of his last 10 mutual encounters with Van Gerwen in all competitions. Nevertheless, he remains wary of the seven-time Premier League champion.
“Michael has always been a player for the big occasions,” emphasized Humphries, who begins the seventh round of Premier League Darts play with a five-point lead over Van Gerwen in the league table. “These are the types of games that we both relish, because we know that we have to be at our best to win. You have to put Michael under pressure because if you don’t, he is an incredible frontrunner and he can take the game away from you."
Despite his recent defeats, Humphries remains optimistic. "I do think there is a better level in me, but I feel my game is in a good place, so going into tomorrow I will be full of confidence believing I can win.”
Humphries begins the seventh round of play as number two in the rankings. With fifteen points from six rounds of play, he is one point behind league leader Luke Littler. Van Gerwen is currently number four in the standings with ten points.
Here's how the Premier League table looks after Night Six in Nottingham! 👇 pic.twitter.com/kd2QxwEUNN
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) March 14, 2025
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