Not many darts enthusiasts, or indeed fellow players, would have predicted that after three completed weeks of the 2026 Premier League Darts there would still be no win – or even a final appearance – for either Luke Littler or Luke Humphries.
But with Michael van Gerwen back in red-hot form, despite missing last week through illness, and Welsh duo Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton also firing, the Luke’s have been mere passengers so far this Premier League campaign.
As Night Four gets under way at the SSE Arena in Belfast, the focus will be on whether Littler or Humphries can finally ignite their league campaigns, or if home favourite Josh Rock can harness the partisan crowd to claim his first win of the season.
Quarter-Final Line-Ups, Form and Predictions
Luke Littler v Jonny Clayton
Littler has already shown that his subdued Premier League form is little cause for concern, having defeated Gian van Veen to lift the Poland Darts Open title just three days ago. But in Clayton he faces a man who stormed to last week’s victory in Glasgow, producing some of the purest dart-throwing seen in recent memory.
If Clayton can maintain that level, then ‘The Nuke’ cannot afford to approach this one half-heartedly or he could be heading for another early exit. This has all the makings of a classic, but surely Littler cannot go four weeks without reaching a final?
Prediction: Littler
Stephen Bunting v Luke Humphries
Humphries has endured an underwhelming campaign so far, but having won here last year, Belfast has proven a happy hunting ground for ‘Cool Hand.’ Sadly for Bunting, he still has some way to go to even reach underwhelming. Despite not playing badly, he sits at 0–3, a worrying carbon copy of his poor showing last year.
As dispiriting as it may be for ‘The Bullet,’ this one should be Humphries’ to take.
Prediction: Humphries
Michael van Gerwen v Gerwyn Price
This will be the fourth meeting of the pair already this year, with Price leading 2-1, including the Night 2 final victory over MvG. If MvG is over the worst of his illness then this should be an absolute diamond of a match.
However, if there are any lingering effects for ‘Mighty Mike,’ expect Price to come out all guns blazing in pursuit of a swift victory.
Prediction: Price
Gian van Veen v Josh Rock
The two Premier League debutants have had wildly contrasting starts to their first season in the pressure cooker of the weekly tournament. Van Veen has remained unfazed by all challenges, reaching two finals already, while Rock has so far struggled to showcase his talents.
Normally, a home crowd would provide an advantage, but with Van Veen in such formidable form – including a nine-darter in his defeat to Littler at the Poland Darts Open – Rock could be playing in his kitchen and still come up empty-handed in this one.
Prediction: Van Veen
Who will win Week 3?
It may feel like a broken record to say Littler and Humphries are the favourites, but they remain the two men to beat. If both prevail in their quarter-finals, the edge would be with Humphries to make the final. However, if Clayton maintains the form he showed last week, he could have a huge say in the outcome.
With Price, MvG, and Van Veen all in hot form, and Rock in no form, it should be one of those three to make the final. It’s a thankless task to pick an outright favourite, but it feels like Van Veen is finding an extra level to an already impeccable game for such a young man.
If the final sees Humphries facing off against Van Veen, this writer’s feelings are leaning towards the Dutchman making it third final lucky.
Week 3 winner prediction: Gian van Veen
