Unibet PDC Home Tour – Group 7 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 7 taking place? Thursday 23rd April, 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
GABRIEL CLEMENS
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Semi-final x1
Quarter-final x2
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 93.64
180s – 51 (0.24 per leg)
H2H
vs Jelle Klaasen
W5, L2
Last meeting: Gabriel Clemens 6-2 Jelle Klaasen (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Gavin Carlin
W3, L1
Last meeting: Gabriel Clemens 6-2 Gavin Carlin (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Ryan Meikle
W1, L0
Last meeting: Gabriel Clemens 6-1 Ryan Meikle (Oct 2019 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Germany’s Gabriel Clemens has proven to be a high-quality performer on the PDC circuit over the last couple of years and it seems only a matter of time before he wins a tour event. He starts as the favourite to win this group and I don’t disagree with that.
JELLE KLAASEN
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Quarter-final x1
Last 64 x2
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 94.22
180s – 24 (0.22)
H2H
vs Gabriel Clemens
W2, L5
Last meeting: Gabriel Clemens 6-2 Jelle Klaasen (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Gavin Carlin
N/A
vs Ryan Meikle
W2, L0
Last meeting: Jelle Klaasen 6-5 Ryan Meikle (Apr 2019 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Jelle Klaasen has had a tough time on the tour over the last three years so he may enjoy the no-pressure environment that this tournament brings. The Dutchman showed some flashes of his old self in the PDC Darts at Home tournament a couple of weeks ago but he will have to raise his game further I feel if he is to top this section.
GAVIN CARLIN
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 16 x1
Last 64 x2
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 87.09
180s – 25 (0.22)
H2H
vs Gabriel Clemens
W1, L3
Last meeting: Gabriel Clemens 6-2 Gavin Carlin (Feb 2020 – Players Championship)
vs Jelle Klaasen
N/A
vs Ryan Meikle
N/A
PROSPECTS
Gavin Carlin has been playing on the PDC circuit since winning his tour card at the start of 2019. Apart from a quarter-final appearance in one of his first tournaments, he hasn’t enjoyed many eye-catching moments and he starts as the outsider in the outright market for this group.
RYAN MEIKLE
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 32 x1
Last 64 x3
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 92.37
180s – 25 (0.23)
H2H
vs Gabriel Clemens
W0, L1
Last meeting: Gabriel Clemens 6-1 Ryan Meikle (Oct 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Jelle Klaasen
W0, L2
Last meeting: Jelle Klaasen 6-5 Ryan Meikle (Apr 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Gavin Carlin
N/A
PROSPECTS
Ryan Meikle’s most notable achievements so far in his career have been on the PDC Development Tour where he has won a handful of titles over the last few seasons. He won back-to-back tournaments on that circuit earlier this year and he can’t be ruled out of upsetting the odds.
THREE PICKS FROM 3 DART ANALYST
Over 7.5 legs – Jelle Klaasen vs Gabriel Clemens
Four of the last six matches between Klaasen and Clemens have gone to a last-leg decider and over 7.5 legs in this encounter looks to be a good option.
Gabriel Clemens -1.5 handicap vs Gavin Carlin
Clemens defeated Carlin 6-2 on the PDC circuit earlier this year and has won three of their four previous meetings. The German star is likely to be too consistent for his opponent and should be able to cover the handicap.
Gabriel Clemens to win the group
Clemens has a winning head-to-head record against everyone in this group and has been the standout player amongst the quartet on the circuit over the last couple of seasons, so I’m siding with him to top the table.
