Unibet PDC Home Tour – Group 30 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 30 taking place? Saturday 16th 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
GARY ANDERSON
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
N/A
Stats
N/A
H2H
vs Dimitri Van den Bergh
W0, L1
Last meeting: Dimitri Van den Bergh 8-7 Gary Anderson (May 2018 – German Masters)
vs Kim Huybrechts
W15, L7
Last meeting: Gary Anderson 4-2 Kim Huybrechts (June 2019 – World Cup of Darts)
vs Dirk van Duijvenbode
W3, L0
Last meeting: Gary Anderson 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Gary Anderson needs no real introduction; the Flying Scotsman is one of the most decorated players in the sport and although he hasn’t been as formidable over the last 12 months, he still has the ability to blow any opponent away. He originally pulled out of this tournament due to a poor internet connection but thankfully that is now sorted, though that might not be good news for his opponents.
DIMITRI VAN DEN BERGH
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(97.70) Dimitri Van den Bergh 5-1 Karel Sedlacek (85.72)
(81.42) Rob Cross 5-4 Dimitri Van den Bergh (91.17)
(98.86) Dimitri Van den Bergh 3-5 William Borland (103.80)
Stats
Average – 95.32
180s – 7
H2H
vs Gary Anderson
W1, L0
Last meeting: Dimitri Van den Bergh 8-7 Gary Anderson (May 2018 – German Masters)
vs Kim Huybrechts
W5, L3
Last meeting: Kim Huybrechts 6-5 Dimitri Van den Bergh (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Dirk van Duijvenbode
W10, L2
Last meeting: Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-2 Dirk van Duijvenbode (Apr 2018 – Euro Tour qual)
PROSPECTS
Van den Bergh performed to a good standard despite only winning one of his three matches in Group 21, and the young Belgian is back hoping to improve on that showing. He has a winning head-to-head record against all of the three players in this group and is likely to be a strong contender for the qualifying spot.
KIM HUYBRECHTS
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(87.84) Kim Huybrechts 5-2 Nathan Derry (79.04)
(98.17) Stephen Bunting 5-1 Kim Huybrechts (89.34)
(101.79) Kim Huybrechts 5-1 Harald Leitinger (93.66)
Stats
Average – 92.45
180s – 3
H2H
vs Gary Anderson
W7, L15
Last meeting: Gary Anderson 4-2 Kim Huybrechts (June 2019 – World Cup of Darts)
vs Dimitri Van den Bergh
W3, L5
Last meeting: Kim Huybrechts 6-5 Dimitri Van den Bergh (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Dirk van Duijvenbode
W3, L1
Last meeting: Kim Huybrechts 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode (Sept 2018 – Euro Tour qual)
PROSPECTS
Kim Huybrechts missed out on qualification from Group 18 when he finished in second place. The Belgian posted an average of 101.79 in one of his matches last time out, so there are signs to suggest that he will be competitive again in this section.
DIRK VAN DUIJVENBODE
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(80.90) Martin Schindler 1-5 Dirk van Duijvenbode (93.92)
(84.05) Daniel Larsson 5-2 Dirk van Duijvenbode (89.42)
(78.00) Dirk van Duijvenbode 3-5 Kyle Anderson (76.78)
Stats
Average – 85.80
180s – 9
H2H
vs Gary Anderson
W0, L3
Last meeting: Gary Anderson 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Dimitri Van den Bergh
W2, L10
Last meeting: Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-2 Dirk van Duijvenbode (Apr 2018 – Euro Tour qual)
vs Kim Huybrechts
W1, L3
Last meeting: Kim Huybrechts 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode (Sept 2018 – Euro Tour qual)
PROSPECTS
Dirk van Duijvenbode didn’t perform as well as expected when he participated in Group 23. The big Dutchman had been performing well on the main circuit prior to it being halted and he needs a return to that kind of form if he is to challenge for a place in the last 32.
THREE PICKS FROM 3 DART ANALYST
Over 8.5 legs – Dimitri Van den Bergh vs Kim Huybrechts
Four of the previous eight meetings between Van den Bergh and Huybrechts have gone the distance and it could well be that this encounter between the two Belgian World Cup players goes the same way.
Dimitri Van den Bergh to beat Dirk van Duijvenbode
Head-to-head records don’t always mean a great deal, but they are harder to ignore when someone has won 10 out of 12 previous matches against an opponent and Van Den Bergh has done just that against the Dutchman.
Dimitri Van den Bergh to win the group
Gary Anderson is the favourite to win the group, but it’s hard to assess how sharp he will be and in a format like this I wouldn’t want to rush out and back him at short odds. Dimitri Van den Bergh looks to be better value; he has the ability to throw world class averages and has already performed to a good level earlier in this tournament.
