Unibet PDC Home Tour – Group 1 Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
What is the PDC Home Tour? With the PDC Tour currently on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, the PDC have devised the tournament to supply some darting action to players and fans, with all matches are 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 are some absences, the most notable being Michael van Gerwen due to the birth of his second child earlier this month, whilst Gary Anderson and Daryl Gurney are both missing due to internet connection problems.
What is the format of the PDC Home Tour? Each night, four players compete in a round-robin format with matches played over the best-of-nine legs, with the 32 group winners qualifying for the second stage of the event.
When is PDC Home Tour Group 1 taking place? Friday 17th April, 2020 – 19:30 start (UK)
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.
THE PLAYERS
PETER WRIGHT
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Winner x1
Semi-final x3
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average - 100.91
180s - 127 (0.34 per leg)
H2H
vs Jamie Lewis
W6, L2
Last meeting: Peter Wright 6-4 Jamie Lewis (Feb 2018 – UK Open Qualifier)
vs Niels Zonneveld
W2, L0
Peter Wright 6-2 Niels Zonneveld (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Peter Jacques
N/A
PROSPECTS
Reigning PDC World Champion Peter Wright starts as the strong favourite to win this group and although Snakebite will no doubt miss having the opportunity to entertain the crowd in person, he can still please his many fans by earning a spot in the last 32 and it would be no surprise if he uses a different set of darts for each match in doing so!
JAMIE LEWIS
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 16 x1
Last 64 x2
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average - 90.96
180s - 25 (0.22 per leg)
H2H
vs Peter Wright
W2, L6
Last meeting: Peter Wright 6-4 Jamie Lewis (Feb 2018 – UK Open Qualifier)
vs Niels Zonneveld
N/A
vs Peter Jacques
N/A
PROSPECTS
Formerly a top 32 player, Jamie Lewis has fallen down the rankings since reaching the semi-finals at the World Championship just over two years ago where he produced an outstanding performance to defeat Peter Wright with an average of 107. The Welshman could find some of his best form returning in this no-pressure environment.
NIELS ZONNEVELD
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 32 x2
Last 64 x5
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average - 89.16
180s - 32 (0.22 per leg)
H2H
vs Peter Wright
W0, L2
Last meeting: Peter Wright 6-2 Niels Zonneveld (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Jamie Lewis
N/A
vs Peter Jacques
N/A
PROSPECTS
Dutch youngster Niels Zonneveld has yet to enjoy a really good run in a ranking tournament since winning his tour card at the start of 2019, though he does encouragingly have wins against the likes of Krzysztof Ratajski, James Wade and Simon Whitlock in 2020. It is possible that Zonneveld could still be in with a chance of qualifying from this group going into the final match of the night when he faces Peter Wright.
PETER JACQUES
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 32 x1
Last 64 x2
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average - 88.12
180s - 26 (0.23 per leg)
H2H
vs Peter Wright
N/A
vs Jamie Lewis
N/A
vs Niels Zonneveld
N/A
PROSPECTS
Since winning back his tour card at the start of this year, Peter Jacques has not produced many eye-catching performances. It is worth remembering though that he reached the final of a Players Championship tournament in 2017 and can’t be written off too easily.
THREE PICKS FROM 3 DART ANALYST
Peter Wright -2.5 handicap vs Peter Jacques
It’s hard to know what to expect from this format but I’m expecting Wright to put in a good performance and make a winning start in the first match of the tournament. The short odds on him just to win are not very appealing so -2.5 on the handicap might be worth looking at.
Over 7.5 legs - Jamie Lewis vs Niels Zonneveld
This is an encounter which neither can probably afford to lose if they are to have a chance of topping the group and with not a lot between their level of performances on the tour so far in 2020, it could be a close affair. Over 7.5 legs in the contest is the prediction.
Niels Zonneveld highest checkout against Peter Jacques
A look at their stats from the PDC Players Championship circuit this season show that Zonneveld’s highest checkout is 164 whereas Jacques has a high out of 142. This could suggest that the Dutchman might be the one to side with in the highest checkout market for this game.
