Low6 PDC Home Tour – Play-offs Group 2 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 first phase as well as an overview of the whole tournament, 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 and we are now left with the 32 group winners, who have been separated into eight groups of four for the play-offs.
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 Play-offs Group 2 taking place? Wednesday 27th May, 2020 – 19:30 start (UK)
THE PLAYERS
STEPHEN BUNTING
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Route to the play-offs
Group 18 Winner – 6pts (+9)
(100.72) Stephen Bunting 5-4 Harald Leitinger (91.14)
(98.17) Stephen Bunting 5-1 Kim Huybrechts (89.34)
(70.21) Nathan Derry 1-5 Stephen Bunting (91.36)
Stats
Average – 97.06
180s – 6 (0.29 per leg)
High finish – 121
H2H
vs Glen Durrant
W3, L2
Last meeting: Stephen Bunting 4-2 Glen Durrant (Nov 2013 – Jersey Classic)
vs Alan Tabern
W5, L2
Last meeting: Stephen Bunting 6-2 Alan Tabern (Mar 2020 – Euro Tour qualifier)
vs Mike De Decker
W0, L2
Last meeting: Mike De Decker 6-5 Stephen Bunting (Oct 2016 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Stephen Bunting qualified for the play-offs by topping Group 18 where he won all three of his matches. The former BDO World Champion averaged 97 over the course of that evening and he will need to perform to a similar level if he is to contend for top spot in this pool.
GLEN DURRANT
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Route to the play-offs
Group 19 Winner – 6pts (+8)
(101.79) Glen Durrant 5-1 Vincent van der Meer (85.93)
(98.22) Glen Durrant 5-3 Justin Pipe (96.23)
(96.13) Maik Kuivenhoven 3-5 Glen Durrant (100.13)
Stats
Average – 99.85
180s – 3 (0.14 per leg)
High finish – 164
H2H
vs Stephen Bunting
W2, L3
Last meeting: Stephen Bunting 4-2 Glen Durrant (Nov 2013 – Jersey Classic)
vs Alan Tabern
W1, L1
Last meeting: Glen Durrant 6-5 Alan Tabern (Oct 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Mike De Decker
N/A
PROSPECTS
Glen Durrant showed his class with two ton-plus averages on his way to topping Group 19. Duzza was a big favourite to qualify from that section and he duly delivered with assured performances in all three matches. A repeat performance in this group is certainly possible.
ALAN TABERN
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Route to the play-offs
Group 11 Winner – 4pts (0)
(100.45) Kirk Shepherd 5-1 Alan Tabern (82.95)
(89.09) Mike van Duivenbode 2-5 Alan Tabern (97.60)
(87.17) Alan Tabern 5-4 Simon Whitlock (92.64)
Stats
Average – 89.43
180s – 4 (0.18 per leg)
High finish – 110
H2H
vs Stephen Bunting
W2, L5
Last meeting: Stephen Bunting 6-2 Alan Tabern (Mar 2020 – Euro Tour qualifier)
vs Glen Durrant
W1, L1
Last meeting: Glen Durrant 6-5 Alan Tabern (Oct 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Mike De Decker
W1, L1
Last meeting: Mike De Decker 6-0 Alan Tabern (Apr 2017 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Alan Tabern recovered from losing 5-1 in his opening match to qualify from Group 11. He is an experienced and tricky opponent but is unlikely to have the consistency to challenge for top spot in what is a very tough looking group.
MIKE DE DECKER
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Route to the play-offs
Group 26 Winner – 4pts (+5)
(97.33) Mike De Decker 3-5 Martin Atkins (102.00)
(77.00) Conan Whitehead 1-5 Mike De Decker (87.09)
(93.84) Mike De Decker 5-2 Steve Brown (84.42)
Stats
Average – 92.82
180s – 5 (0.24 per leg)
High finish – 135
*these stats only apply to the group from which qualification was achieved
H2H
vs Stephen Bunting
W2, L0
Last meeting: Mike De Decker 6-5 Stephen Bunting (Oct 2016 – Players Championship)
vs Glen Durrant
N/A
vs Alan Tabern
W1, L1
Last meeting: Mike De Decker 6-0 Alan Tabern (Apr 2017 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Belgium’s Mike De Decker failed to qualify from Group 12 but then returned to take top spot in Group 26, which was one of the weakest groups in terms of player rankings. He does have enough quality to be competitive in this group though and won’t be taken lightly by anyone.
THREE PICKS FROM 3 DART ANALYST
Over 9.5 legs – Stephen Bunting vs Glen Durrant
This match between the two highest ranked players in the group could be the pivotal encounter on the evening and it certainly has the potential to be a close contest lasting over 9.5 legs.
Stephen Bunting -1.5 handicap vs Alan Tabern
Bunting defeated fellow St. Helens darter Alan Tabern 6-2 when they met in March in a Euro Tour qualifying match. He looks to be good value to claim victory again and the -1.5 handicap is a good option.
Glen Durrant to win the group
Durrant is my pick to top the table. He is the most consistent player in this group and his previous performances in the PDC Home Tour suggest that he is comfortable enough with the format to produce the goods again.
