"One of the best scorers on the planet" - Wayne Mardle backs Luke Humphries over Luke Littler for Premier League Darts glory

According to Sky Sports analyst Wayne Mardle, Luke Humphries is currently the clear favorite to successfully defend his title in the Premier League Darts. The former top darter especially notes how “Cool Hand Luke” has rediscovered his absolute peak at exactly the right time.

Humphries won last year’s Premier League final 11-8 against Luke Littler, but endured a difficult campaign for much of this season. For a large part of the year, the Englishman was even outside the playoff spots. Yet Humphries completely turned the situation around in the closing stages of the competition.

The world number two reached the final in each of the last four league weeks and also won the penultimate night in Birmingham. On the final night in Sheffield, Humphries then secured third place in the standings.

That means he will not face table-topper Littler on Finals Night in London, but will meet Jonny Clayton in the semi-finals. Littler, for his part, takes on Gerwyn Price.

Although Humphries lost the final in Sheffield to Stephen Bunting, it was his semi-final against Littler that truly impressed. For the second week running Humphries convincingly beat “The Nuke,” this time 6-1, after reeling off six consecutive legs again.

For Mardle, it is clear that Humphries currently holds the strongest hand heading into the playoffs. "I do not have a clue [who will win] but I will go with Humphries on recency bias,” he told Sky Sports. "I love the way he is going about his business and he was good in defeat [in Sheffield]. There was a bit of head shaking but he was good."

Mardle is particularly impressed by Humphries’ mental resilience. “The way Luke has dealt with the last four weeks has been incredible. It would have been easy to fold but he has shown he is an absolute champion."

Earlier this month, Mardle also expressed his admiration for the Englishman’s scoring power. According to him, Humphries is currently among the best scorers in the world. “In my opinion, he is one of the best scorers on the planet and one of the best I have seen in a while."

The former Premier League finalist stressed how efficient Humphries has become with his scoring chances. “When he gets it right, his two and three-treble visits are better than anyone's - and I include Littler in that. He can fit a dart in there when it has no right to go in. Tons alone are not the way forward anymore. With Humphries' trebles, he gives himself so many looks at a double."

Even so, Mardle warns against underestimating Jonny Clayton. The Welshman won four league nights this season and surprisingly finished second overall, in his first Premier League appearance since 2023.

"Clayton is going under the radar. It's been 'oh, Humphries and Price will want to play him instead of Luke Littler',” Mardle said. "But Clayton could run riot next week as he has run riot so many times this year. If he does it again on another Thursday, he wins it.”

According to the analyst, Clayton started the season as a complete outsider. "Clayton was the outsider of the field, meant to finish bottom. He will be the outsider next week but he will have his tail up and won't want to be written off. He won't be written off as he is that good."

Mardle especially notes how the balance of power within the Premier League has constantly shifted throughout the season. "Clayton was the man this season, then Littler was the man, now Humphries is the man, the one playing so well, the man to beat."