PDC Home Tour Darts – Last 32, Group Two: Live Stream, Predictions & Odds

• Wednesday serves up the battle of the former BDO world champions Glen Durrant and Stephen Bunting
• Alan Tabern is an attractive proposition to provide the upset
• It’s a tight group to call and therefore provides many interesting betting opportunities

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The second stage of the PDC Home Tour brings a slightly longer format with games now played over the best of 11 legs, rather than the first to five in the previous round. That should suit the higher-ranked players, giving them a chance to rectify a poor start in matches.

The tournament continues with an intriguing group where a case could be made for at least three of the four participants to triumph. Stephen Bunting and Glen Durrant start the evening as favorites to progress as the group winner, but Alan Tabern, and even Mike de Decker, will fancy creating an upset. That makes the betting markets for Wednesday evening interesting. There is an opportunity to find some decent betting value.

Group Two Odds

Odds taken on May 26, from DraftKings Sportsbook.

Glen Durrant successfully moved across from the BDO Tour to rise to No. 19 in the PDC rankings. The 49-year-old from Middlesbrough won three BDO world titles in a row, claimed the World Masters on two occasions, and also won the World Darts Trophy. He currently tops the Premier League standings and, despite suggesting he possessed a “rubbish online game”, progressed from Group 18 on a good-natured evening which exemplified the relaxed nature of the competition.

Durrant won all three games and overcame his biggest threat and good friend Justin Pipe 5-3 in his second match of the night as the pair exchanged good-natured banter. Duzza also beat Vincent van der Meer 5-1 and Maik Kulverhoven 5-3 as he averaged 99.85 and lost only seven legs throughout the evening.

Stephen Bunting will return to the oche from his St Helens home. The world No. 17 managed to come through a tough Group 18 with three wins. The 35-year-old Scouser beat his closest ranked competition Kim Huybrechts 5-1 in his second match after seeing off a strong Harold Lettinger 5-4 in which The Bullet averaged 100.72. Bunting ensured progression with a comfortable 5-1 win over Nathan Derry.  The 2014 BDO world champion averaged 97.06 as he put in a commanding evening’s performance.

Group Two on Wednesday evening looks set to be a straight fight between the two former BDO world champions. There is little between Durrant and Bunting who have met five times with Bunting holding a narrow 3-2 overall lead.

Alan Tabern is a 53-year-old left-hander who will be playing just down the road from Bunting in St Helens. Tabern has been in decent form and shocked a few as he overcame Australian Simon Whitlock to top Group 11.

The world No. 97 Tabern was soundly beaten 5-1 by Kirk Shepherd but bounced back to beat Mike van Duivenbode 5-2. He had to beat Whitlock in his final match to ensure progression and won a thriller 5-4 as he hit double 12 to sneak top spot. That success highlighted Tabern’s qualities as a fighter and he is more than capable of taking a scalp on Wednesday. He’s met Durrant twice and the head-to-head is 1-1. Against Bunting, in seven matches he has won only twice. Tabern is a wily campaigner and appears to relish the relaxed nature of the event.

Mike de Decker makes up the four after coming through at the second time of asking as he conquered Group 26.  The 24-year-old world No. 99 came second in Group 12 but the Belgian overcame an opening loss to Martin Atkins to beat Conan Whitehead and Steve Brown to grab a Last 32 berth at the second time of asking. The only player of these four that De Decker has faced is Tabern and across two matches they are level at 1-1.

Tabern averaged 89.43 and De Decker 89.38 and 92.82 in their first-round matchups. If they are to cause Wednesday waves they will need to be at their best. it would be foolish to dismiss Tabern’s threat and he is unlikely to finish bottom as priced.

Possible Betting Routes

Durrant is the bookies favorite to win Group Two, which makes Bunting the better value of two very evenly matched players. Tabern is worth a small stakes punt at long odds to cause a shock.

It would make sense to cover your options by splitting stakes in the group. Place the majority of your stake on Durrant to win and add the remainder on Tabern to make a tidy profit if the potential shock manifests itself.

Our Pick

Teke Glen Durrant with a 70% stake to top Group Two at -137 and put the remaining 30% of stake on Alan Tabern at +1000. Also, Alan Tabern to beat Mike de Decker at +125 provides plenty of appeal.