Low6 PDC Home Tour – Championship Group Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
What is the PDC Home Tour? With the PDC Tour currently on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, the PDC devised the tournament to supply some darting action to players and fans, with all matches being streamed live from the homes of the players who are involved.
Who is taking part in the PDC Home Tour? All 128 PDC Tour Card holders were invited to take part, though there were some absences in the first phase with the most notable being Michael van Gerwen, whilst Daryl Gurney, Mensur Suljovic and Adrian Lewis were also missing. For a recap of the tournament so far, visit our dedicated tournament page.
What is the format of the PDC Home Tour? The tournament is played in a round-robin format consisting of four players per group; the first phase took place over 32 consecutive evenings with the group winners then competing in a play-off phase which consisted of a further eight groups of four. Those eight group winners were split into two groups of four, out of which the top two in each group progressed to the Championship Group.
Where can I watch the PDC Home Tour? All PDC Home Tour action will be broadcast live on PDCTV for FREE to ALL registered PDCTV users, regardless of whether you have a paid or free membership.
When is the Low6 PDC Home Tour Championship Group taking place? Friday 5th June, 2020 – 19:30 start (UK)
THE PLAYERS
NATHAN ASPINALL
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Route to the last eight
Phase One
Group 10 Winner – 6pts (+10)
Average – 91.79
180s – 8 (0.40 per leg)
High finish – 148
Last 32
Group 7 Winner – 6pts (+8)
Average – 89.26
180s – 6 (0.21 per leg)
High finish – 80
Last Eight
Group 2 Runner-up – 4pts (+1)
Average – 102.72
180s – 5 (0.15 per leg)
High finish – 147
H2H
vs Gary Anderson
W2, L1
Last meeting: Nathan Aspinall 6-6 Gary Anderson (Mar 2020 – Premier League)
vs Jonny Clayton
W3, L2
Last meeting: Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Jonny Clayton (June 2020 – PDC Home Tour)
vs Jelle Klaasen
W3, L1
Last meeting: Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Jelle Klaasen (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Nathan Aspinall played to an excellent standard in the last eight and averaged 102.12 over the course of an evening in which all of his three matches went the distance. The Asp has tasted defeat only once on his way to reaching the Championship Group and he averaged 104.85 when losing that game against Rob Cross. Aspinall possesses plenty of determination and talent and has a very big chance of claiming the title
GARY ANDERSON
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Route to the last eight
Phase One
Group 30 Winner – 6pts (+11)
Average – 91.81
180s – 4 (0.21 per leg)
High finish – 95
Last 32
Group 3 Winner – 6pts (+12)
Average – 97.40
180s – 5 (0.21 per leg)
High finish – 106
Last Eight
Group 1 Winner – 6pts (+8)
Average – 94.73
180s – 7 (0.25 per leg)
High finish – 116
H2H
vs Nathan Aspinall
W1, L2
Last meeting: Nathan Aspinall 6-6 Gary Anderson (Mar 2020 – Premier League)
vs Jonny Clayton
W7, L1
Last meeting: Gary Anderson 10-4 Jonny Clayton (Nov 2018 – Players Championship Finals)
vs Jelle Klaasen
W15, L7
Last meeting: Gary Anderson 6-2 Jelle Klaasen (June 2020 – PDC Home Tour)
PROSPECTS
Gary Anderson was not originally going to play in the tournament but an upgraded internet connection meant he could participate and he has subsequently become the only player to reach the Championship Group with a 100% winning record. The Flying Scotsman is one of the most decorated players in PDC history and is a serious contender to win any event he features in.
JONNY CLAYTON
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Route to the last eight
Phase One
Group 8 Winner – 6pts (+8)
Average – 92.93
180s – 8 (0.36 per leg)
High finish – 118
Last 32
Group 8 Winner – 6pts (+10)
Average – 99.09
180s – 8 (0.31 per leg)
High finish – 121
Last Eight
Group 2 Winner – 4pts (+6)
Average – 95.42
180s – 6 (0.21 per leg)
High finish – 142
H2H
vs Nathan Aspinall
W2, L3
Last meeting: Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Jonny Clayton (June 2020 – PDC Home Tour)
vs Gary Anderson
W1, L7
Last meeting: Gary Anderson 10-4 Jonny Clayton (Nov 2018 – Players Championship Finals)
vs Jelle Klaasen
W2, L1
Last meeting: Jelle Klaasen 10-7 Jonny Clayton (Mar 2017 – UK Open)
PROSPECTS
Jonny Clayton claimed top spot in a very competitive group in the last eight and has lost only one game on his way to reaching the final round, where his opponent Nathan Aspinall averaged 106.70 in that match. The Welshman will be feeling very confident after how he has performed over the last two nights and his chances of success can’t be ruled out.
JELLE KLAASEN
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Route to the last eight
Phase One
Group 7 Winner – 4pts (+4)
Average – 90.43
180s – 7 (0.29 per leg)
High finish – 112
Last 32
Group 1 Winner – 4pts (+6)
Average – 87.48
180s – 6 (0.21 per leg)
High finish – 86
Last Eight
Group 1 Runner-up – 4pts (+3)
Average – 87.59
180s – 4 (0.16 per leg)
High finish – 152
H2H
vs Nathan Aspinall
W1, L3
Last meeting: Nathan Aspinall 6-5 Jelle Klaasen (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Gary Anderson
W7, L15
Last meeting: Gary Anderson 6-2 Jelle Klaasen (June 2020 – PDC Home Tour)
vs Jonny Clayton
W1, L2
Last meeting: Jelle Klaasen 10-7 Jonny Clayton (Mar 2017 – UK Open)
PROSPECTS
Jelle Klaasen exceeded expectations to reach the Championship Group and just getting here will give him huge satisfaction after a tough couple of years on the circuit. The Dutchman will have to improve quite a bit on his previous performances in the PDC Home Tour if he is to contend for the title though.
THREE PICKS FROM 3 DART ANALYST
Jonny Clayton -1.5 handicap vs Jelle Klaasen
Jonny Clayton has been a more consistent performer than Klaasen over the last couple of years and his displays in the Home Tour have also been of a higher standard. The Welshman looks capable of overcoming a -1.5 handicap in this match.
Over 9.5 legs – Nathan Aspinall vs Gary Anderson
This is a mouth-watering fixture between the two highest-ranked players in the Championship Group. They are likely to deliver a very high-quality contest and over 9.5 legs in the match looks likely.
Nathan Aspinall to win the group
Aspinall has rocketed up the PDC rankings over the last 18 months and is without doubt one of the very best players in the sport right now. I think he is capable of rising to the challenge in this tough final group and he’s my tip to claim the title.
