[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-why-luke-humphries-is-favorite-for-premier-league-darts":61,"news-related-why-luke-humphries-is-favorite-for-premier-league-darts-en":93,"news-related-match-why-luke-humphries-is-favorite-for-premier-league-darts-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":39,"hostCities":40},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",-38,-21,"finished_recent",false,[41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60],"Atlanta","Boston","Dallas","East Rutherford","Guadalajara","Houston","Kansas City","Los Angeles","Mexico City","Miami","Monterrey","New-York","New York New Jersey","Philadelphia","San-Francisco","San Francisco Bay Area","Seattle","Toronto","Vancouver","Zapopan",{"article":62},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":63,"category":64,"excerpt":65,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":66,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":70,"slug":71,"sourceName":72,"sourceURL":73,"teamId":74,"teamName":75,"teamIds":76,"teamNames":84,"title":92},"The Premier League Darts Finals Night returns to London’s O2 Arena on Thursday, with defending champion Luke Humphries installed as the favourite to retain his crown. The semi-final line-up pits table-topper Luke Littler against Gerwyn Price, while Humphries faces 2021 champion Jonny Clayton. After a marathon 16-week season, the playoffs promise high drama and a fitting conclusion to the campaign.\n\nHumphries’ journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. The world No. 2 spent much of the regular season hovering outside the top four, but an extraordinary late surge saw him reach the final in each of the last four weeks. He clinched the Night 15 title in Birmingham to secure third place in the standings, ensuring he would avoid Littler in the semis and instead face Clayton. Former player and Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle believes Humphries’ recency bias makes him the man to beat. “I love the way he is going about his business,” Mardle said. “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.”\n\nThe foundation of Humphries’ revival has been his devastating treble hitting. In the Sheffield semi-final, he demolished Littler 6-1, reeling off six successive legs for the second week in a row. Mardle was effusive in his praise, describing him as “one of the best scorers on the planet” and insisting that his two and three-treble visits are unrivaled – even when compared to the prodigious Littler. “When he gets it right, his two and three-treble visits are better than anyone’s – and I include Littler in that,” Mardle explained. “Tons alone are not the way forward anymore. With Humphries’ trebles, he gives himself so many looks at a double.” This clinical edge turns pressure into quick legs and demoralises opponents.\n\nYet, Mardle cautions against overlooking Clayton. The Welshman finished second in the table with four nightly wins and is competing in his first finals night since 2023. Despite being tipped by many to finish bottom at the start of the season, he has consistently delivered on the big stage. Mardle noted that Clayton is “going under the radar” and could “run riot” in the capital. “Clayton was the man this season, then Littler was the man, now Humphries is the man,” Mardle reflected. “If he does it again on another Thursday, he wins it.” Clayton’s experience and coolness under pressure make him a genuine threat.\n\nThe other semi-final is equally compelling. Littler, the teenage sensation, topped the league table with a record-equalling six nightly wins and had his sights set on a record seventh before Humphries halted him. He now meets Gerwyn Price, the only player in the playoffs yet to win the Premier League title. Price, a former world champion, will be desperate to add the missing piece to his résumé, while Littler is eager to avenge last year’s final defeat to Humphries. The clash of styles – Littler’s explosive scoring versus Price’s combative intensity – should be a thriller.\n\nHistorically, finals night has often favoured the player in form rather than the league leader. Last year, Humphries entered as the table-topper and duly defeated Littler 11-8 in a high-quality final. This year, the roles are reversed: Littler dominated the regular season, but Humphries is peaking at the perfect time. If Humphries can maintain his current level, he will be hard to stop. A successful defence would make him only the second man after Phil Taylor to win back-to-back Premier League titles in the modern era, further cementing his legacy.\n\nFor Clayton, a second crown would put him in elite company alongside multiple winners. He has flown under the radar all year, but his consistency and big-stage temperament are proven. The final, if he reaches it, could be a classic encounter against either Littler or Price. Over the shorter race to 11 legs, his ability to hold throw and strike at key moments could prove decisive.\n\nAs the fireworks light up the O2, darts fans can expect a night of high-octane action. With all four players capable of averaging over 100 and delivering 180s in bunches, the margins will be razor-thin. Mardle’s final word: “In my opinion, he is one of the best scorers on the planet and one of the best I have seen in a while.” That man is Humphries, and many will agree he is the one to beat.\n\nBased on reporting from Sky Sports.","news","Luke Humphries is the man to beat at Premier League Darts Finals Night after a late-season surge, but Jonny Clayton could spoil the party, says Wayne Mardle.","333142470042849281","326135625054949376","Premier League","0","2026-05-22T06:00:00Z","why-luke-humphries-is-favorite-for-premier-league-darts","Sky Sports","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.skysports.com\u002Fdarts\u002Fnews\u002F12040\u002F13546844\u002Fpremier-league-darts-2026-luke-humphries-man-to-beat-at-finals-night-but-jonny-clayton-could-run-riot-says-wayne-mardle","326257807814823936","Birmingham",[74,77,78,79,80,81,82,83],"326257818124423168","326257769613103104","326222707169431552","326222713142120448","326257539962376192","326257546392244224","326257551639318528",[75,85,86,87,88,89,90,91],"Sheffield","Capital","Anderlecht","Canada","Como","Nottingham Forest","Mannsdorf-Großenzersdorf","Why Luke Humphries is favorite for Premier League Darts",[94,124,154,177],{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":95,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":96,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":97,"slug":98,"sourceName":99,"sourceURL":100,"teamId":101,"teamName":102,"teamIds":103,"teamNames":113,"title":123},"Pierre Sage is set to join Crystal Palace after leading Lens to Coupe de France glory. Sporting director Jean-Louis Leca must now find a successor and reshape","338193111534538753","2026-06-05T03:15:00Z","pierre-sage-to-crystal-palace-what-it-means-for-lens","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FArticle\u002FPierre-sage-sur-le-depart-jean-louis-leca-le-directeur-sportif-de-lens-va-avoir-plusieurs-chantiers-a-gerer\u002F1681831#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326257536443355136","Lens",[101,104,105,106,107,108,109,110,111,112],"326255037950988288","326257535952621568","326257572367568896","326257602382008320","326222711447621632","326257536049090560","326222712726884352","326222711682502656","326257844615647232",[102,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,121,122],"Crystal Palace","Marseille","Le Mans","Vitesse","France","Nice","Cape Verde Islands","England","Ajaccio","Pierre Sage to Crystal Palace: What It Means for Lens",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":125,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":126,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":127,"slug":128,"sourceName":129,"sourceURL":130,"teamId":131,"teamName":132,"teamIds":133,"teamNames":143,"title":153},"Chris Wood's serious knee injury clouds New Zealand's World Cup hopes as the All Whites face Iran, Egypt, and Belgium in Group G.","338128485845307393","2026-06-04T23:01:18Z","new-zealand-s-2026-world-cup-bid-wood-injury-a-major-doubt","The Guardian","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ffootball\u002F2026\u002Fjun\u002F05\u002Fnew-zealand-world-cup-2026-team-guide","326222713104371712","New Zealand",[131,82,134,135,136,137,138,139,140,141,142],"326257595583041536","326222712622026752","326257808754348032","326257660145963008","326222711976103936","326257545754710016","326222712013852672","326222712265510912","326222711401484288",[132,90,144,145,146,147,148,149,150,151,152],"New Caledonia","South Africa","Northampton","Motherwell","Australia","Newcastle","Iran","Egypt","Belgium","New Zealand's 2026 World Cup Bid: Wood Injury a Major Doubt",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":155,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":156,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":157,"slug":158,"sourceName":129,"sourceURL":159,"teamId":160,"teamName":161,"teamIds":162,"teamNames":169,"title":176},"Spain 1-1 Iraq: Yamal injury concern as eight debutants feature in World Cup warm-up. Torres gave lead but Doski's long-range stunner equalized. Depth tested.","338113367510093825","2026-06-04T22:04:33Z","spain-1-1-iraq-what-yamal-s-absence-squad-rotation-mean","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ffootball\u002F2026\u002Fjun\u002F04\u002Fspain-iraq-friendly-international-match-report","326222711653142528","Spain",[160,163,164,165,80,166,79,167,168],"326257593141956608","326257565195309056","326222711908995072","326222712819159040","326222712395534336","326257565233057792",[161,170,171,172,88,173,87,174,175],"Chattanooga","Barcelona","Mexico","Iraq","Norway","Atletico Madrid","Spain 1-1 Iraq: What Yamal's Absence & Squad Rotation Mean",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":178,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":179,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":180,"slug":181,"sourceName":182,"sourceURL":183,"teamId":184,"teamName":185,"teamIds":186,"teamNames":195,"title":204},"NI's youngest post-WWII side (avg age 22.1) beat Guinea 1-0 with Atcheson scoring and sent off, while Morrison debuted, showing grit before facing France.","338103552524161025","2026-06-04T21:18:17Z","ni-record-youth-side-show-grit-22-1-avg-age-beats-guinea","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fc7v9ve8415mo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss","326257664243798016","Northern Ireland",[184,187,188,189,190,104,191,192,193,194,108],"326257791738056704","326257545918287872","326257545968619520","326257808385249280","326257807630274560","326257664713560064","326257664403181568","326257808158756864",[185,196,197,198,199,114,200,201,202,203,118],"Guinea","Liverpool","Arsenal","Sheffield Wednesday","Southampton","Luxembourg","Gibraltar","Blackburn","NI Record Youth Side Show Grit: 22.1 Avg Age Beats Guinea"]