Darts Premier League 2026: Night Five - Cardiff

• Ladbrokes previews Night Five of the 2026 Darts Premier League

• Littler & Humphries the two favourites despite neither picking up a nightly win so far

• Josh Rock hoping to follow up his nine-darter in Belfast with a maiden Premier League victory

Ladbrokes shares a quick rundown of what to expect from Night Five of the 2026 Darts Premier League, as the players take to the oche in Cardiff.

Another disappointing night last time out for the world's top two means both Luke Littler and Luke Humphries still await their first nightly wins of the season, with underdog Stephen Bunting taking the plaudits - and the trophy - in Belfast.

Below, you'll find a quick look at each of tonight's opening-round fixtures, plus the odds & favourites - and don't forget to check out our season overview!

Michael van Gerwen vs Luke Humphries

Despite missing the action in Glasgow a couple of weeks ago, Michael van Gerwen sits third in the Darts Premier League table, and takes on an underperforming Luke Humphries in the opening round in Cardiff.

World number two Humphries has only won two matches in the first four weeks of the season, and has already been beaten by MVG once in the Premier League this year, so has a real point to prove in Cardiff.

There's still a long way to go in the 2026 Darts Premier League, but Humphries needs to start picking up some wins soon if he wants to retain his title - starting against the world number four this week.

Gian van Veen vs Jonny Clayton

Jonny Clayton is the surprise leader after four weeks of Premier League action, with the Welshman having won six of his nine matches, and even has a nightly win to his name - despite coming into the season as one of the big underdogs.

He takes on world number three Gian van Veen in Cardiff, who sits directly below him in the table despite not yet registering a nightly win, with his three final appearances giving him a healthy points total.

The only thing left for van Veen to do is break his duck and win a Premier League night, and as him and Clayton have already beaten each other once in the competition this season, the stage is set for a thoroughly entertaining clash.

Gerwyn Price vs Stephen Bunting

Night Four winner Stephen Bunting shocked everyone to claim the trophy last week, beating three of the world's top five on his way to glory, but he'll have to upset the odds if he wants to repeat the feat in Cardiff, with the Englishman a heavy underdog for his match against Gerwyn Price.

Price himself also has a nightly win under his belt this year, taking the trophy in Antwerp, and will fancy his chances against the man who finished rock-bottom of last season's table - but the Welshman will need to up his game.

Price has lost five of his last seven matches against Stephen Bunting, but the pair haven't faced off since July, so it's anyone's game in Cardiff on Thursday night.

Luke Littler vs Josh Rock

Rounding off the quarter-finals in Cardiff, world number one Luke Littler takes on Josh Rock - who is yet to pick up a single Premier League point in 2026 - and it's Littler who comes into the clash as a huge favourite.

Josh Rock's defeat last week was softened by an unforgettable nine-darter in front of his home crowd, but he will be desperate to get off the mark against an out-of-form Littler, who has only won one match so far this term.

Half of Littler's points this season were gifted with a bye, so the world champion will have to start rediscovering his relentless form sooner rather than later if he hopes to break into the top four - and we expect him to pick up a win against Rock here.

View the latest Darts odds.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.