PDC Home Tour Betting Preview - Friday, April 17

The PDC have introduced a new tournament format which will see darts elite players compete in the PDC Home Tour. The Home Tour will see the likes of world champion Peter Wright and Gerwyn Price star in their own homes for this new competition, with all players with a PDC tour card given the chance to feature across 32 consecutive nights of darts action.

Four players each evening will be in action in what will be a league format before the knockout stage of the competition begins. Each PDC Home Tour match will be broadcast via video calls on the PDC's own TV channel and can be streamed for free by registered users.

Here, we will be taking a look at each day of the PDC Home Tour competition, bringing you the Betfair markets for the action.

Take a look at the Betfair betting preview for opening nights action on Friday, April 17.

The tournament kicks off at 19:30 UK time

Kicking things off in this brand new tournament will be world champion Peter Wright, who faces Peter Jacques.

Understandably so, Wright is a clear favourite here at 1/6 to get past 'The Terrier'. After beating Michael van Gerwen in the final of the 2020 PDC World Championships, the Scotland-born has gone to second in the world rankings and remains the man to beat on the tour.

The Home Tour will be no different, and to hit 3.5 180s is a a price of 10/11.

As for Jacques, the Englishman has got to the last 48 of a PDC tournament just three times in 17 different tournaments in 2020, with his quarter-final place at the PDC Tour Card Qualifying School 2 being his best result this year.

Rightfully so, Jacques is a big underdog at 4/1, whilst to hit over 3.5 180s is 4/5 with Betfair.

Up next is a much more intriguing battle and one that is significantly tougher to call than the previous encounter on opening day.

Jamie Lewis will take on Niels Zonneveld in their own homes at 19:55, with both men under EVENS; Lewis is priced at 5/6, whilst Zonneveld is 10/11.

At 28, Lewis is just outside the top 50 youngest players on the PDC tour and the Welshman last placed in the last 64 at the PDPA Players Championship in Barnsley before the suspension. Most notably in 2020, 'Rasta' reached the last 64 of the UK Open.

Speaking of age, Zonneveld is the fifth-youngest man on the PDC tour, and his record and inexperience makes this one a tough to call. Just like Lewis, the Dutchman last played at PDPA Players Championship in Barnsley, also getting knocked out in the last 64.

Zonneveld is more likely to hit the 180s, according to Betfair, pricing odds at 8/15 for over 3.5, whilst Lewis is 11/8.

Click here to claim your £20 risk free bet with Betfair and take a punt on the PDC Home Tour.

At 20:20, Zonneveld is straight back into action against Jacques, who comes off the back of facing Wright.

For his second match of the opening day, the 47-year-old may end up entering this one off the back of a defeat, being such an underdog in his first battle.

For this one, Jacques is once again Betfair's outsider at 11/10, which is where the money could be at. If he comes into his showdown with the Dutchman after beating Wright, his price may change, whilst he most certainly will become the favourite in the eyes of the audience.

Zonneveld is priced at 8/11 and this time is EVENS to hit 3.5 180s, compared to his under EVENS price against Lewis. Considering form prior to the suspension, Zonneveld is the favourite, but this one may be dependent on how Jacques performs against Wright.

At 20:45, we see the return of the world champion and the Welshman, with Betfair once again pricing Wright as the huge favourite.

Just as he was against Jacques, the odds are 1/6 for the man with the Mohican. Once again, this one could be dependent on previous matches leading to this point, as it's doubtful we will Wright lose back-to-back matches. But, if we do, expect him to come back with a vengeance.

If you fancy Lewis to get through this one, the price is 4/1 for 'Rasta' to upset the odds.

For their finals matches of the PDC's Home Tour opening day, Jamie Lewis and Peter Jacques will meet at 21:10.

Again, this is another tough one to call. With both men priced under EVENS, it could go either way, as Lewis is 5/6 and 10/11.

Perhaps the favourite for this one leans towards Jacques based on experience and how he may come off the back of two defeat and will absolutely need a victory.

As for the Welshman, he will be coming immediately off the back off battling the world champion, which could work in his favour or not, depending how that one goes.

Click here to claim your £20 risk free bet with Betfair and take a punt on the PDC Home Tour.

The final match of the day sees Zonneveld take on Wright at 21:35.

For this one, Wright finds his odds at the shortest they've been all night at 1/5. Zonneveld, on the other hand, is priced at 7/2.

Zonneveld may end up coming into this one in stronger form than any over player facing Wright this night, as he will be the favourite against Jacques and perhaps Lewis, as well.

Wright, however, will be the clear favourite and is the man to watch this tournament. The Scotland-born is 9/2 to win the entire PDC Home Tour competition, and with the opening matches he has on Friday, he will already take a leap towards doing just this.