Register for FREE to read this article.

Already have an account?

You have article views left.
Register for FREE to read more articles.

Already have an account?

Remind me next time

Everyone knows that "You can't beat a bit of Bully" but could it also be the case that you can't beat a bet on 'Bully Boy' in Thursday's PDC Home Tour offering?

PDC Home Tour Group 28 Predictions

Former World Championship finalist Michael Smith is one of four group runners-up returning to the oche in Group 28, and the St Helens star is a shade of odds-on to take top billing at the second time of asking.

Bully Boy was pipped to a place in the second phase by virtue of a single leg nearly three weeks ago but the competition will once again be stiff.

Michael Smith vs Mike van Duivenbode Betting Tips

Over 7.5 legs - 5/6 - BET NOW

Smith begins the night's entertainment against Dutchman Mike van Duivenbode, who was denied top spot in even closer circumstances than the world number five.

Van Duivenbode finished level on points and leg difference with Group 11 winner Alan Tabern but missed out on a place in the next phase because his sole defeat came against Tabern.

The young Dutch ace beat two former world championship finalists, Simon Whitlock and Kirk Shepherd, in his other two group outings and he should at least test Smith - another Ally Pally runner-up.

All three of Bully Boy's matches last time ended 5-3 and a similar scoreline would not be a surprise.

Luke Humphries vs Andy Boulton

Boulton +1.5 legs on handicap - 8/11 - BET NOW

Two arrowsmiths at opposite ends of their respective careers enter the fray in the second match of the night and it could pay to side with experience on the handicap.

Luke Humpries is the current world youth champion and looks destined for the top but wily veteran Andy Boulton has got the better of him in two previous meetings and played well when finishing second in his original section.

Boulton averaged over 95 in Group Six and thumped multiple PDC major winner James Wade 5-0 in the process suggesting that he should give Cool Hand Luke a run for his money.

Mike van Duivenbode vs Andy Boulton Betting Tips

Boulton to win - 4/5 - BET NOW

Boulton definitely looks the bet in Thursday's third contest when he takes on Van Duivenbode.

The Stoke-native has thumped the Dutchman 6-0 and 6-1 in their two meetings on the PDC circuit to date and dropped only seven legs when he took the oche three weeks ago.

Michael Smith vs Luke Humphries Betting Tips

Smith to win - 8/15 - BET NOW

In the battle of two of the PDC's brightest talents, Smith looks an excellent proposition to oblige.

Bully Boy beat Humphries at the quarter-final stage during his run to the World Championship final in 2019 - one of four such wins against Humphries.

Cool Hand Luke finally got the better of Bully Boy at the fifth attempt in a Pro Tour event in March but this is his third participation in a home-stage event - he played in the first PDC at Home exhibition before the Home Tour - and he hasn't shown his true potential away from the pressures of the stage yet.

Luke Humphries vs Mike van Duivenbode Betting Tips

Over 7.5 legs - 8/11 - BET NOW

The night's penultimate contest looks like a contender to go the distance when Humphries tackles Van Duivenbode.

Humphries leads the Dutchman 2-0 in head-to-head contests but Van Duivenbode has been competitive in both of those previous matches and there is no reason why he shouldn't be again.

Van Duivenbode averaged five points higher than Cool Hand Luke in his first Home Tour attempt and can stick with the world youth champion.

Group favourite Smith is heavy odds-on favourite to round off the night with victory against Boulton.

Sign up to Easyodds to use our odds comparison service for all your betting choices!

You can grab any new customer offer in our free bets section to place a wager on these matches. Thank you for reading and good luck betting today!

Get all the best PDC Home Tour odds at our extensive football betting centre.