Low6 PDC Home Tour – Play-offs Group 6 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 6 taking place? Sunday 31st May, 2020 – 19:30 start (UK)
THE PLAYERS
JOE CULLEN
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Route to the play-offs
Group 31 Winner – 6pts (+10)
(106.17) Joe Cullen 5-2 Keegan Brown (96.65)
(103.28) Gerwyn Price 3-5 Joe Cullen (107.64)
(105.85) Joe Cullen 5-0 Bradley Brooks (81.09)
Stats
Average – 106.65
180s – 9 (0.45 per leg)
High finish – 164
*these stats only apply to the group from which qualification was achieved
H2H
vs Chris Dobey
W4, L2
Last meeting: Chris Dobey 6-3 Joe Cullen (June 2019 – Euro Tour)
vs Jeff Smith
N/A
vs Martijn Kleermaker
W0, L2
Last meeting: Martijn Kleermaker 6-1 Joe Cullen (Mar 2020 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Joe Cullen failed to qualify at his first attempt but made no mistake on his return in Group 31 where he was simply outstanding in recording an average of 106.65 across his three matches. It would be difficult for anyone to repeat that standard but who is to say Cullen won’t play to a high level once more.
CHRIS DOBEY
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Route to the play-offs
Group 14 Winner – 4pts (+6)
(93.71) Chris Dobey 5-2 Ciaran Teehan (89.51)
(97.09) Chris Dobey 5-1 Ron Meulenkamp (89.35)
(96.97) Kai Fan Leung 5-4 Chris Dobey (101.65)
Stats
Average – 97.80
180s – 8 (0.36 per leg)
High finish – 107
H2H
vs Joe Cullen
W2, L4
Last meeting: Chris Dobey 6-3 Joe Cullen (June 2019 – Euro Tour)
vs Jeff Smith
N/A
vs Martijn Kleermaker
N/A
PROSPECTS
Chris Dobey has been impressive in his rise up the rankings over the last couple of years and he produced a confident and good quality level of performance when earning qualification via Group 14. Dobey just missed out on claiming a clean sweep of wins on the night when he lost 5-4 against Kai Fan Leung despite averaging 101.65 in that contest.
JEFF SMITH
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Route to the play-offs
Group 16 Winner – 4pts (+4)
(85.29) Christian Bunse 1-5 Jeff Smith (94.80)
(89.53) Martin Atkins 5-4 Jeff Smith (91.40)
(85.85) Jeff Smith 5-4 Ricky Evans (91.01)
Stats
Average – 90.11
180s – 4 (0.17 per leg)
High finish – 147
H2H
vs Joe Cullen
N/A
vs Chris Dobey
N/A
vs Martijn Kleermaker
N/A
PROSPECTS
Canada’s Jeff Smith is a very experienced competitor who has proven his quality in both the BDO and PDC. The Silencer wasn’t in the toughest of qualifying groups but he did what he needed to do to earn his spot in the play-offs and he’s capable of contending for top spot in this section.
MARTIJN KLEERMAKER
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Route to the play-offs
Group 9 Winner – 4pts (+3)
(98.38) Michael Smith 3-5 Martijn Kleermaker (97.71)
(81.13) Martijn Kleermaker 3-5 Matt Clark (83.65)
(87.45) Harry Ward 2-5 Martijn Kleermaker (95.11)
Stats
Average – 90.69
180s – 5 (0.22 per leg)
High finish – 128
H2H
vs Joe Cullen
W2, L0
Last meeting: Martijn Kleermaker 6-1 Joe Cullen (Mar 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Chris Dobey
N/A
vs Jeff Smith
N/A
PROSPECTS
Martijn Kleermaker notably defeated Michael Smith on his way to topping Group 9 and although he may start as an outsider in this group and is not as well-known as the other trio, he is certainly not just here to make up the numbers.
THREE PICKS FROM 3 DART ANALYST
Over 9.5 legs – Joe Cullen vs Chris Dobey
This is a very competitive group in which I expect there to be a number of close contests. This fixture between the two highest ranked players certainly has the potential to be an enthralling battle which could go the distance.
Martijn Kleermaker to score the most 180s vs Jeff Smith
Kleermaker’s ratio of 180 hitting was superior to Smith’s prior to the disruption of the main tour and he looks to be good value to top the count when they go head-to-head in this group.
Chris Dobey -1.5 handicap vs Jeff Smith
Dobey performed well on his previous outing in the PDC Home Tour and I think he will make a winning start to his campaign in this group with a victory against Jeff Smith. Backing him to cover the -1.5 handicap could be a good option.
