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 26 taking place? Tuesday 12th 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
CONAN WHITEHEAD
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(87.53) Mike De Decker 2-5 Conan Whitehead (87.58)
(81.32) Conan Whitehead 3-5 Max Hopp (81.86)
(81.95) Max Hopp 5-2 Conan Whitehead (83.63)
(77.60) Conan Whitehead 1-5 Mike De Decker (89.33)
Stats
Average – 82.64
180s - 9
H2H
vs Mike De Decker
W1, L1
Last meeting: Mike De Decker 5-1 Conan Whitehead (Apr 2020 – PDC Home Tour)
vs Martin Atkins
W1, L1
Last meeting: Conan Whitehead 6-1 Martin Atkins (Feb 2020 – Euro Tour qualifier)
vs Steve Brown
N/A
PROSPECTS
Conan Whitehead returns to PDC Home Tour action having previously finished 3rd in Group 12. He was unfortunate on that night, as after winning his opening match against Keegan Brown the result was then voided due to Brown having to withdraw. He is the highest ranked player in this section and will be hoping for better fortunes this time around.
MIKE DE DECKER
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(89.80) Max Hopp 3-5 Mike De Decker (94.61)
(87.53) Mike De Decker 2-5 Conan Whitehead (87.58)
(85.98) Mike De Decker 3-5 Max Hopp (90.35)
(77.60) Conan Whitehead 1-5 Mike De Decker (89.33)
Stats
Average – 89.38
180s – 8
H2H
vs Conan Whitehead
W1, L1
Last meeting: Mike De Decker 5-1 Conan Whitehead (Apr 2020 – PDC Home Tour)
vs Martin Atkins
N/A
vs Steve Brown
N/A
PROSPECTS
Belgium’s Mike De Decker finished as the runner-up behind Max Hopp in Group 12, though he did have the highest average in that particular section and looks capable of being in contention for the qualifying spot here in Group 26.
MARTIN ATKINS (WIGAN)
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(90.40) Ricky Evans 2-5 Martin Atkins (90.57)
(89.53) Martin Atkins 5-4 Jeff Smith (91.40)
(88.69) Christian Bunse 5-2 Martin Atkins (94.40)
Stats
Average – 91.31
180s – 4
H2H
vs Conan Whitehead
W1, L1
Last meeting: Conan Whitehead 6-1 Martin Atkins (Feb 2020 – Euro Tour qualifier)
vs Mike De Decker
N/A
vs Steve Brown
N/A
PROSPECTS
Martin Atkins came close to earning qualification from Group 16 where he finished in second place behind Jeff Smith, despite claiming a victory against the Canadian in their meeting. If he replicates his level of performance from that night, he could well be in with a chance of going one better on this occasion.
STEVE BROWN
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(91.39) Nathan Aspinall 5-2 Steve Brown (85.78)
(89.58) Steve Brown 5-1 Simon Stevenson (73.14)
(85.67) Ryan Joyce 3-5 Steve Brown (86.44)
Stats
Average – 87.17
180s – 3
H2H
vs Conan Whitehead
N/A
vs Mike De Decker
N/A
vs Martin Atkins
N/A
PROSPECTS
Steve Brown gave a good account of himself when he participated in Group 10 back in April when he lost to the current tournament favourite Nathan Aspinall in his opening match but then went on to defeat Simon Stevenson and Ryan Joyce in his remaining two fixtures. He is expected to be very competitive again in this group.
THREE PICKS FROM 3 DART ANALYST
Conan Whitehead to score the most 180s vs Steve Brown
Whitehead is generally a more prolific 180 hitter than Brown is on the PDC circuit, and I think he looks capable of topping the count in this encounter between the two players.
Under 7.5 legs – Conan Whitehead vs Mike De Decker
Whitehead and De Decker met twice in Group 12 and neither match was close with a 5-2 win for Whitehead followed by a 5-1 victory for De Decker. Of course, it’s not a given that this will go the same way but it can’t be ruled out.
Over 7.5 legs – Steve Brown vs Martin Atkins
Both of these players were very competitive in their previous appearance in this tournament and I think this could be a match in which neither player manages to pull away from the other, so over 7.5 legs looks to be a decent possibility.
