Unibet PDC Home Tour – Group 24 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 24 taking place? Sunday 10th 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
KRZYSZTOF RATAJSKI
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Winner x1
Semi-finals x1
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 97.31
180s – 67 (0.25 per leg)
H2H
vs Jamie Hughes
W2, L1
Last meeting: Krzysztof Ratajski 6-0 Jamie Hughes (June 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Darius Labanauskas
W2, L2
Last meeting: Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Darius Labanauskas (June 2019 – ET Qualifier)
vs Toni Alcinas
W5, L0
Last meeting: Krzysztof Ratajski 6-5 Toni Alcinas (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Krzysztof Ratajski has rocketed up the PDC Order of Merit over the last couple of years and is on the verge of breaking into the top 16. The Polish star has claimed six ranking titles since the start of 2018 and produces a high calibre level of performance on a regular basis on the circuit.
JAMIE HUGHES
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Quarter-finals x2
Last 16 x3
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 92.94
180s – 37 (0.18 per leg)
H2H
vs Krzysztof Ratajski
W1, L2
Last meeting: Krzysztof Ratajski 6-0 Jamie Hughes (June 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Darius Labanauskas
W5, L2
Last meeting: Jamie Hughes 6-1 Darius Labanauskas (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Toni Alcinas
W0, L1
Last meeting: Toni Alcinas 6-5 Jamie Hughes (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Jamie Hughes was in good form prior to the tour being disrupted. Most notably, he had an excellent run to the quarter-finals of the UK Open where he just lost out in a last-leg decider against Jonny Clayton. Hughes is a proven performer who will surely be in the mix for top spot.
DARIUS LABANAUSKAS
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 32 x3
Last 64 x2
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 94.00
180s – 25 (0.17 per leg)
H2H
vs Krzysztof Ratajski
W2, L2
Last meeting: Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Darius Labanauskas (June 2019 – ET Qualifier)
vs Jamie Hughes
W2, L5
Last meeting: Jamie Hughes 6-1 Darius Labanauskas (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Toni Alcinas
W2, L0
Last meeting: Darius Labanauskas 6-1 Toni Alcinas (May 2019 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas certainly can’t be taken lightly. He had plenty of experience at winning tournaments before he switched to the PDC in 2019 and his run to the quarter-finals at the PDC World Championship last December further proved the quality he possesses. It definitely wouldn’t be a shock if he was in contention for the qualifying spot.
TONI ALCINAS
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 32 x2
Last 64 x1
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 86.28
180s – 22 (0.19 per leg)
H2H
vs Krzysztof Ratajski
W0, L5
Last meeting: Krzysztof Ratajski 6-5 Toni Alcinas (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Jamie Hughes
W1, L0
Last meeting: Toni Alcinas 6-5 Jamie Hughes (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Darius Labanauskas
W0, L2
Last meeting: Darius Labanauskas 6-1 Toni Alcinas (May 2019 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Alcinas has been playing on the PDC circuit for the best part of a decade. He hasn’t really shown the consistency to reach the latter stages in many tournaments but in a short format like this he will be very competitive and not easy to beat.
THREE PICKS FROM 3 DART ANALYST
Krzysztof Ratajski to win and score the most 180s vs Toni Alcinas
Ratajski has an excellent record against Alcinas having won all five of their previous encounters and I think he will extend that record whilst also outscoring his opponent on the 180 count.
Over 7.5 legs - Krzysztof Ratajski vs Jamie Hughes
The two highest ranked players in the group are capable of serving up a good competitive contest, so over 7.5 legs in the match looks a possible outcome.
Darius Labanauskas to win the group
It has been proven on quite a few occasions in the PDC Home Tour that the group favourite does not always come out on top. If you are looking for a bit of value on the outright market, then backing Labanauskas could be a good option.
