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 28 taking place? Thursday 14th 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
MICHAEL SMITH
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(98.38) Michael Smith 3-5 Martijn Kleermaker (97.71)
(98.03) Michael Smith 5-3 Harry Ward (82.94)
(87.66) Matt Clark 3-5 Michael Smith (96.15)
Stats
Average – 97.50
180s – 11
H2H
vs Luke Humphries
W4, L1
Last meeting: Luke Humphries 6-3 Michael Smith (Mar 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Andy Boulton
W1, L1
Last meeting: Michael Smith 6-4 Andy Boulton (Mar 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Mike van Duivenbode
N/A
PROSPECTS
Michael Smith is back for another attempt at qualifying for the last 32 having narrowly missed out in Group 9 when he finished behind Martijn Kleermaker on leg difference, Smith’s overall performance on that night was good - as his tournament average of 97.50 shows - and he starts as the favourite to claim top spot in this group.
LUKE HUMPHRIES
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(92.66) Luke Humphries 3-5 Nick Kenny (90.82)
(86.38) Luke Humphries 5-4 Devon Petersen (84.78)
(87.74) Joe Murnan 3-5 Luke Humphries (90.60)
Stats
Average – 89.67
180s – 6
H2H
vs Michael Smith
W1, L4
Last meeting: Luke Humphries 6-3 Michael Smith (Mar 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Andy Boulton
W0, L2
Last meeting: Andy Boulton 10-8 Luke Humphries (Mar 2020 – UK Open)
vs Mike van Duivenbode
W2, L0
Last meeting: Luke Humphries 4-1 Mike van Duivenbode (Nov 2019 – Development Tour)
PROSPECTS
Luke Humphries was the runner-up in Group 5 behind Nick Kenny on his previous PDC Home Tour appearance where his defeat against Kenny in the opening match of the night was the pivotal result. Humphries will have to improve on his overall performance if he is to qualify as his tournament average is the lowest in this group.
ANDY BOULTON
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(96.49) Ryan Searle 5-1 Andy Boulton (95.97)
(90.84) Adrian Gray 2-5 Andy Boulton (100.92)
(88.41) Andy Boulton 5-0 James Wade (80.73)
Stats
Average – 95.49
180s – 1
H2H
vs Michael Smith
W1, L1
Last meeting: Michael Smith 6-4 Andy Boulton (Mar 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Luke Humphries
W2, L0
Last meeting: Andy Boulton 10-8 Luke Humphries (Mar 2020 – UK Open)
vs Mike van Duivenbode
W2, L0
Last meeting: Andy Boulton 6-1 Mike van Duivenbode (Sept 2019 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Andy Boulton’s previous appearance in the PDC Home Tour came back in April where he finished second behind Ryan Searle in Group 6. His head-to-head record against the other players in this group suggest that he can’t be written off from going close again.
MIKE VAN DUIVENBODE
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(96.78) Simon Whitlock 3-5 Mike van Duivenbode (97.05)
(89.09) Mike van Duivenbode 2-5 Alan Tabern (97.60)
(90.77) Kirk Shepherd 4-5 Mike van Duivenbode (94.79)
Stats
Average – 93.82
180s – 4
H2H
vs Michael Smith
N/A
vs Luke Humphries
W0, L2
Last meeting: Luke Humphries 4-1 Mike van Duivenbode (Nov 2019 – Development Tour)
W0, L2
Last meeting: Andy Boulton 6-1 Mike van Duivenbode (Sept 2019 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Young Dutchman Mike van Duivenbode was involved in a very tight tussle for top spot in Group 11 where Alan Tabern was the eventual qualifier. A negative for him in this group could be his head-to-head record against both Humphries and Boulton, but probably not too much weight should be given to those previous meetings.
THREE PICKS FROM 3 DART ANALYST
Michael Smith -2.5 handicap vs Mike van Duivenbode
Smith is up there amongst the best players in the world and although this format can be more of a leveller, he should be too strong for Van Duivenbode and is capable of beating the -2.5 handicap.
Michael Smith to win and score the most 180s vs Andy Boulton
This probably won’t be an easy match for Smith but he has the scoring power to ensure he has enough chances to secure the win. I think combining him to score the most 180s as well as winning looks to be a good option.
Over 3.5 180s – Michael Smith vs Luke Humphries
Both of these players are prolific T20 hitters when they are in full flow and I’m hoping they will inspire each other to land a good total of 180s in this encounter.
