Unibet PDC Home Tour – Group 8 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 8 taking place? Friday 24th 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
JONNY CLAYTON
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Semi-final x1
Last 32 x3
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 93.72
180s – 33 (0.26 per leg)
H2H
vs Richard North
W2, L1
Last meeting: Richard North 6-1 Jonny Clayton (Oct 2018 – Euro Tour)
vs David Pallett
W1, L1
Last meeting: Jonny Clayton 6-1 David Pallett (Aug 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Adam Hunt
W2, L0
Last meeting: Jonny Clayton 6-3 Adam Hunt (Mar 2019 – Euro Tour)
PROSPECTS
Jonny Clayton is the highest ranked player in this section. The Welshman recorded his first ever nine-dart finish in a televised tournament at the UK Open in March and will be fancied by many to top the group.
RICHARD NORTH
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 64 x4
Last 128 x5
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 89.12
180s – 14 (0.15 per leg)
H2H
vs Jonny Clayton
W1, L2
Last meeting: Richard North 6-1 Jonny Clayton (Oct 2018 – Euro Tour)
vs David Pallett
W4, L0
Last meeting: Richard North 6-2 David Pallett (Apr 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Adam Hunt
W0, L2
Last meeting: Adam Hunt 6-3 Richard North (Oct 2019 – Players Championship)
PROSPECTS
Richard North has reached the final of a PDC ProTour event in the past but his results in 2020 prior to the disruption of the tour were not good. He will perhaps take some encouragement from winning his last encounters against both Clayton and Pallett.
DAVID PALLETT
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 32 x1
Last 64 x1
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 87.94
180s – 21 (0.21 per leg)
H2H
vs Jonny Clayton
W1, L1
Last meeting: Jonny Clayton 6-1 David Pallett (Aug 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Richard North
W0, L4
Last meeting: Richard North 6-2 David Pallett (Apr 2019 – Players Championship)
vs Adam Hunt
W2, L3
Last meeting: David Pallett 6-4 Adam Hunt (Apr 2017 – Euro Tour qualifier)
PROSPECTS
Pallett lost eight matches in a row prior to the tour being halted so could be looking to rebuild some form and confidence in this tournament. Only two years ago, he reached the semi-finals of the UK Open which does prove he is more capable than recent results suggest.
ADAM HUNT
2020/21 SEASON SO FAR
Best Results in PDC Ranking Tournaments
Last 32 x1
Last 64 x4
Stats in PDC Players Championship tournaments
Average – 92.18
180s – 29 (0.22 per leg)
H2H
vs Jonny Clayton
W0, L2
Last meeting: Jonny Clayton 6-3 Adam Hunt (Mar 2019 – Euro Tour)
vs Richard North
W2, L0
Last meeting: Adam Hunt 6-3 Richard North (Oct 2019 – Players Championship)
vs David Pallett
W3, L2
Last meeting: David Pallett 6-4 Adam Hunt (Apr 2017 – Euro Tour qualifier)
PROSPECTS
Adam Hunt had some success during his time on the PDC Youth Tour but has yet to really show his capabilities on a consistent basis in the senior tournaments. Despite his lower ranking, he does have a higher average on tour than both North and Pallett this season.
THREE PICKS FROM 3 DART ANALYST
Richard North to beat David Pallett
North has won all four of their previous meetings and will be hoping to continue that streak by claiming a victory in this encounter.
Jonny Clayton to win the group
Jonny Clayton is the standout name in this group and although he might not have things all his own way, he has the calibre to top the table.
Adam Hunt to score the most 180s vs Richard North
Adam Hunt has been a more prolific maximum hitter than North on the PDC ProTour this season and he looks capable of edging the 180 count in this clash.