Luke Littler’s recent dominance in the Premier League is a worrying proposition for every other player in the tournament.
Littler’s triumph in Berlin last week – arguably his most impressive of the competition so far – saw him collect his third nightly win in four weeks.
The 19-year-old was unstoppable during his three wins, even though Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen did their best to stop him.
But consistently averaging 105-plus and 40% on the checkouts allowed him to clutch up in the big moments, including two 170 checkouts in the final against Van Gerwen.
Luke Littler ‘surprised’ at Luke Humphries position
While no one is shocked that Littler is finally top of the pile, Luke Humphries is arguably in a position few would have predicted at the start.
| Pos | Player | Pts | Nights Won |
| 1 | Luke Littler | 21 | 3 |
| 2 | Jonny Clayton | 19 | 2 |
| 3 | Gerwyn Price | 14 | 1 |
| 4 | Michael van Gerwen | 13 | 1 |
| 5 | Luke Humphries | 11 | 0 |
| 6 | Gian van Veen | 9 | 0 |
| 7 | Stephen Bunting | 7 | 1 |
| 8 | Josh Rock | 2 | 0 |
The reigning Premier League champion is two points behind fourth-place Van Gerwen after losing to the Dutchman last week, and has work to do to qualify for Finals Night at London’s 02 Arena.
Having established himself as second to Littler in the PDC Order of Merit, many thought Humphries would be duelling with the teenager for top spot.
Instead, the 31-year-old’s wastefulness on the outer ring has cost him in matches, and he must improve his doubling to stand any chance of finishing in the top four.
Speaking at his pre-Manchester press conference, Littler is ‘surprised’ at where Humphries is in the table, but backs him to recover and qualify for the play-offs.
“Yeah, it definitely surprises me, obviously everyone goes on about Luke and Luke, but it’s very different for him,” Littler said.
“But yeah, that’s his worry, and he’s got to get on the practice board and make things right. Still a long way to go, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he came through to the top four and went to the O2.”
Humphries can make things right in Manchester
Humphries has been exceptional in the scoring phase, with only Littler hitting more 180s than him in the tournament (tied on 46 with Jonny Clayton).
The same applies to his average, too, as only he and the Nuke have recorded a ton-plus average across the tournament.
Frustratingly, the Englishman hasn’t converted his chances at double, and missing his target on the outer ring has offered his opponents encouragement, and they’ve capitalised.
A quarter-final clash against Price awaits in Manchester, and Humphries knows from past meetings that he needs to be clinical on the doubles, or he will be punished.
