Luke Humphries has reminded Luke Littler that he beat him in ‘the biggest final there has ever been’ ahead of a possible showdown in the Premier League Darts play-offs on Thursday night, and the world No 1 claims he would ‘relish’ the opportunity to defeat him once again.
Humphries and Littler both made their Premier League debuts this season, albeit in drastically different circumstances. ‘Cool Hand’ was guaranteed entry to the competition by virtue of his position at the top of the PDC’s world rankings, while ‘The Nuke’ was one of four wildcard entries off the back of his mesmerising run at Alexandra Palace earlier this year.
On that occasion, at the World Darts Championship, Littler lost out to Humphries in a breathtaking final. But the 17-year-old followed that up by winning their next six head-to-head meetings in a row.
Humphries ended that streak with a deciding-leg victory over Littler in Germany last month. And the reigning world champion is adamant that he would have no fear going into another final against his young and hungry rival this week.
“This is a massive moment for us all,” Humphries told Express Sport. “Being Premier League champion means a lot, so what’s gone before shouldn’t affect us going into the matches
“I know he beat me six times but I beat him the last time so that streak is gone, and if I do play him in the final I’ll relish the chance to go on and beat him again because, of course, I beat him in the biggest final that’s ever been.”
For all the anticipation of another clash between Humphries and Littler, who have immense respect for one another away from the oche, the pair are not even guaranteed to meet at London’s O2 Arena.
Littler, who topped the Premier League table after 16 weeks of action, has the daunting matter of a play-off semi-final against Michael ‘Bully Boy’ Smith to come through first. Humphries, meanwhile, will go up against Michael van Gerwen in an expanded best-of-19-legs format.
Smith has proved to be a bogey opponent for Littler, and as the mind games ramp up ahead of a hotly-anticipated Premier League finale, Humphries has suggested that the teenager’s poor head-to-head record could affect him mentally.
“Michael Smith has beaten Littler five out of the last six times he’s played him as well,” he said. “Luke’s obviously got Michael and he’s only beaten him once out of six attempts, so that could play on Luke’s mind.”
Luke Humphries is playing in the BetMGM Premier League Play-Offs at the O2 Arena. Visit BetMGM.co.uk 18+ BeGambleAware
