Unibet PDC Home Tour – Group 22 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 22 taking place? Friday 8th May, 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
IAN WHITE
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Winner x1
Runner-up x1
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 101.47
180s – 100 (0.33 per leg)
H2H
vs Danny Noppert
W1, L2
Last meeting: Danny Noppert 10-9 Ian White (Nov 2019 – World Series of Darts Finals)
vs James Wilson
W3, L4
Last meeting: Ian White 6-1 James Wilson (Feb 2018 – Players Championship)
vs Jesus Noguera
N/A
PROSPECTS
Ian White was in scintillating form prior to the disruption of the tour, winning the final event and producing a string of world class averages in doing so. Diamond has the highest tour average in the Players Championship tournaments this year and is the favourite to qualify from what is a tough group.
DANNY NOPPERT
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Semi-finals x2
Quarter-finals x1
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 96.42
180s – 75 (0.27 per leg)
H2H
vs Ian White
W2, L1
Last meeting: Danny Noppert 10-9 Ian White (Nov 2019 – World Series of Darts Finals)
vs James Wilson
W1, L0
Last meeting: Danny Noppert 6-2 James Wilson (Sept 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Jesus Noguera
N/A
PROSPECTS
Former BDO World Championship runner-up Danny Noppert has recorded some very impressive performances and results in 2020. The Dutchman reached two semi-finals and claimed wins against the likes of Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall in doing so and he is a major threat to Ian White's hopes of topping the group.
JAMES WILSON
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 32 x1
Last 64 x1
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 85.19
180s – 16 (0.18 per leg)
H2H
vs Ian White
W4, L3
Last meeting: Ian White 6-1 James Wilson (Feb 2018 – Players Championship)
vs Danny Noppert
W0, L1
Last meeting: Danny Noppert 6-2 James Wilson (Sept 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Jesus Noguera
N/A
PROSPECTS
James Wilson didn’t have a good start to 2020 on the PDC circuit and has lost eight of his last nine matches. He has proven his quality in the past but hasn’t shown enough good form of late to suggest he will be in the frame to qualify.
JESUS NOGUERA
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 32 x1
Last 64 x2
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 90.52
180s – 30 (0.31 per leg)
H2H
vs Ian White
N/A
vs Danny Noppert
N/A
vs James Wilson
N/A
PROSPECTS
Spain’s Jesus Noguera earned his place on the main PDC circuit by finishing second on the 2019 PDC Challenge Tour Order of Merit in a season where he claimed two titles. Although he may not qualify, I expect him to give a good account of himself.
THREE PICKS FROM 3 DART ANALYST
Ian White -2.5 handicap vs James Wilson
White has been performing to a very high level in 2020 and he ought to have too much scoring power and consistency for Wilson, who has struggled for form over the last year.
Over 8.5 legs – Ian White vs Danny Noppert
This is certainly the most eye-catching encounter of the evening as two players who were in great form in the early months of the year go head-to-head. Their last meeting went to a last-leg decider and this could go all the way too.
Jesus Noguera to score the most 180s vs James Wilson
Jesus Noguera has a superior 180 scoring ratio on the circuit than Wilson and he looks to be good value to top the count when they play in the third match of the evening.
Click here to visit our PDC Home Tour tournament page featuring results, fixtures, tables and statistics
