“I see Littler and Humphries reaching the final”: Wayne Mardle sees only one Premier League play-off outcome
Wayne Mardle, a prominent Sky Sports darts commentator, predicted that Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are the most likely finalists for the 2025 Premier League Darts play-offs at London’s O2 Arena on May 29, 2025, citing their dominance throughout the season. In a Sky Sports article published May 23, 2025, Mardle stated, “I see both Luke Littler and Luke Humphries in the final over the longer format,” emphasizing their consistent high-level performances. Littler, the 18-year-old world champion, topped the league phase with a record 45 points, securing a sixth nightly win in Sheffield on May 22 with a 6-3 victory over Humphries, featuring 155 and 170 checkouts and a 114 average, per BBC Sport. Humphries, the world No. 1, finished second with 34 points, highlighted by nightly wins in Exeter, Leeds, and Belfast, often raising his game against Littler, as seen in their 6-5 Leeds thriller on May 8.
Mardle’s confidence stems from their head-to-head clashes, with Littler averaging 115.96 to Humphries’ 110 in a classic Aberdeen quarterfinal on May 15, where Littler’s 75% doubles efficiency and 144 checkout outshone Humphries’ nine 180s, per Sky Sports. Despite Humphries’ 6-4 Exeter win over Littler on February 27, Littler’s 6-5 Glasgow victory and overall edge in finals (three to Humphries’ two in 2025) give him a slight edge. Mardle noted Humphries’ ability to deliver under pressure, saying, “When he’s on, he’s not there to be beaten,” but Littler’s “glorious finishing” makes him a formidable opponent.
The play-off semifinals pit Littler against Gerwyn Price and Humphries against Nathan Aspinall. Price, with three nightly wins, and Aspinall, who clinched the final spot with a 6-2 Sheffield win over Michael van Gerwen, are threats, but Mardle believes Littler and Humphries’ superior averages (Littler’s 104.3 season-high) and clutch play make them favorites. Fans on X, like @OfficialPDC, echoed Mardle’s view, hyping the “inevitable” Littler-Humphries final after their Aberdeen epic. However, Aspinall’s Manchester triumph over Humphries (6-4) and Price’s 6-3 Liverpool win over him suggest vulnerabilities, adding intrigue to Mardle’s bold prediction
