Unibet PDC Home Tour – Group 11 Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
What is the Unibet 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 Unibet 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 Unibet 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 the Unibet PDC Home Tour Group 11 taking place? Monday 27th April, 2020 – 19:30 start (UK)
Where can I watch the Unibet 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
SIMON WHITLOCK
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 16 x1
Last 32 x3
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 93.78
180s – 39 (0.26 per leg)
H2H
vs Kirk Shepherd
W4, L1
Last meeting: Simon Whitlock 6-2 Kirk Shepherd (Aug 2019 – Euro Tour qualifier)
vs Alan Tabern
W12, L3
Last meeting: Simon Whitlock 6-3 Alan Tabern (May 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Mike van Duivenbode
N/A
PROSPECTS
Simon Whitlock heads this group in terms of ranking and ability and is certainly the favourite on paper to earn progression to the last 32. Whilst not great, the Australian’s form on the tour in the early part of the year was still superior to that of any of the other three players in this section.
KIRK SHEPHERD
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 16 x1
Last 64 x2
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 87.01
180s – 23 (0.21)
H2H
vs Simon Whitlock
W1, L4
Last meeting: Simon Whitlock 6-2 Kirk Shepherd (Aug 2019 – Euro Tour qualifier)
vs Alan Tabern
W0, L3
Last meeting: Alan Tabern 6-5 Kirk Shepherd (Mar 2020 – Euro Tour qualifier)
vs Mike van Duivenbode
N/A
PROSPECTS
Former PDC World Championship finalist Kirk Shepherd has the lowest average on the PDC circuit out of the four players in this group and it’s difficult to see him having the consistency to claim top spot.
ALAN TABERN
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 32 x3
Last 64 x1
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 88.34
180s – 23 (0.18)
H2H
vs Simon Whitlock
W3, L12
Last meeting: Simon Whitlock 6-3 Alan Tabern (May 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Kirk Shepherd
W3, L0
Last meeting: Alan Tabern 6-5 Kirk Shepherd (Mar 2020 – Euro Tour qualifier)
vs Mike van Duivenbode
N/A
PROSPECTS
Alan Tabern has a wealth of experience but he is not the same threat that he was when he reached the top 10 in the Order of Merit a decade ago. Still, I wouldn’t entirely write off his chances of going into the final match against Whitlock with all to play for.
MIKE VAN DUIVENBODE
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 32 x1
Last 64 x1
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 87.52
180s – 15 (0.16 per leg)
H2H
vs Simon Whitlock
N/A
vs Kirk Shepherd
N/A
vs Alan Tabern
N/A
PROSPECTS
Dutch youngster Mike van Duivenbode has been playing on the main tour since winning his spot at Q School in early 2019. He hasn’t really made an impression as yet though and will be no doubt be eager to show his potential in this tournament.
THREE PICKS FROM 3 DART ANALYST
Alan Tabern to beat Kirk Shepherd
The bookies have Kirk Shepherd as the slight favourite in this match but I think it’s worth siding with Tabern, who has won all of their three previous meetings.
Simon Whitlock to win the group
In this format it has been proven that it is no certainty that the top ranked player will progress but Whitlock looks capable of getting the job done in this section.
Simon Whitlock -2.5 handicap vs Kirk Shepherd
Whitlock won 6-2 in their last encounter and he should again be too strong for Shepherd on this occasion and there could be some value on the -2.5 handicap for the Australian.
