Unibet PDC Home Tour – Group 31 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 31 taking place? Sunday 17th 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
GERWYN PRICE
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(97.00) Gerwyn Price 5-2 Rowby-John Rodriguez (84.20)
(95.05) Gerwyn Price 0-5 Luke Woodhouse (113.86)
(92.24) Ted Evetts 2-5 Gerwyn Price (102.12)
Stats
Average – 98.41
180s – 7
H2H
vs Joe Cullen
W5, L3
Last meeting: Joe Cullen 6-2 Gerwyn Price (July 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Keegan Brown
W3, L3
Last meeting: Gerwyn Price 6-0 Keegan Brown (Nov 2019 – Players Championship Finals)
vs Bradley Brooks
N/A
PROSPECTS
Gerwyn Price returns to PDC Home Tour action having previously finished as the runner-up behind Luke Woodhouse all the way back in Group 2. The Welshman didn’t play badly at all on that evening and was really only undone by an outstanding performance by Woodhouse which included a nine-dart finish. Despite this being a tricky group, it would not be a surprise if Price went one better on this occasion and earned qualification for the last 32.
JOE CULLEN
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(89.98) Joe Cullen 5-4 Ryan Murray (86.37)
(89.52) Joe Cullen 4-5 Jermaine Wattimena (86.61)
(91.29) John Michael 3-5 Joe Cullen (96.88)
Stats
Average – 91.89
180s – 10
H2H
vs Gerwyn Price
W3, L5
Last meeting: Joe Cullen 6-2 Gerwyn Price (July 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Keegan Brown
W1, L4
Last meeting: Keegan Brown 6-3 Joe Cullen (Aug 2018 – Players Championship)
vs Bradley Brooks
N/A
PROSPECTS
Joe Cullen narrowly missed out on qualification from Group 20 where he actually defeated the eventual group winner Ryan Murray. In the end though, the Yorkshireman ultimately paid the price for missed doubles in a 5-4 defeat against Jermaine Wattimena. Cullen is of course capable of beating anyone on his day, but it will need a strong performance from him in all three matches if he is to progress from this section.
KEEGAN BROWN
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(89.10) Keegan Brown 5-4 Reece Robinson (92.44)
(84.88) Keegan Brown 0-5 Jose de Sousa (97.60)
(82.88) Robert Thornton 2-5 Keegan Brown (98.05)
Stats
Average – 91.04
180s – 4
H2H
vs Gerwyn Price
W3, L3
Last meeting: Gerwyn Price 6-0 Keegan Brown (Nov 2019 – Players Championship Finals)
vs Joe Cullen
W4, L1
Last meeting: Keegan Brown 6-3 Joe Cullen (Aug 2018 – Players Championship)
vs Bradley Brooks
W1, L0
Last meeting: Keegan Brown 6-3 Bradley Brooks (Sept 2018 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Keegan Brown’s improved internet connection allowed him to compete in Group 25 last Monday evening where he finished in second place behind Portugal’s Jose de Sousa, who was in outstanding form all evening. Brown will have to improve his own performance level if he is to challenge for top spot in this group, but there are no reasons why he can’t be in the mix for the qualifying place.
BRADLEY BROOKS
2020 PDC HOME TOUR
Previous results
(82.40) Darren Webster 5-4 Bradley Brooks (80.30)
(93.80) Bradley Brooks 3-5 Andy Hamilton (92.59)
(93.46) Scott Baker 1-5 Bradley Brooks (90.03)
Stats
Average – 87.02
180s – 2
H2H
vs Gerwyn Price
N/A
vs Joe Cullen
N/A
vs Keegan Brown
W0, L1
Last meeting: Keegan Brown 6-3 Bradley Brooks (Sept 2018 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Bradley Brooks is the lowest ranked player in this group and he faces a very tough task against three accomplished and experienced players. He won one of his three matches when he competed in Group 15 and it will be a good achievement if he manages to repeat that.
THREE PICKS FROM 3 DART ANALYST
Gerwyn Price -2.5 handicap vs Bradley Brooks
Gerwyn Price is the standout name in this group and the odds-on favourite to qualify. He performed strongly on his last appearance in the PDC Home Tour and will be well motivated to get his evening off to a good start with a strong performance against Brooks.
Keegan Brown to beat Joe Cullen
Brown has a good record against Cullen with four wins from their five previous meetings and he starts as the underdog in this match so there could be some value on siding with him to claim the victory.
Gerwyn Price to win the group
It might be the obvious pick, but I think Price will be highly motivated to top the group and earn qualification for the last 32, and when he is in a determined mood, he is very hard to stop.
