2019-20 PDC World Darts Championship – Steve Beaton vs Darius Labanauskas Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Steve Beaton vs Darius Labanauskas taking place? Saturday 28th December, 2019 – afternoon
Where is Steve Beaton vs Darius Labanauskas taking place? Alexandra Palace, London
What channel is Steve Beaton vs Darius Labanauskas on? Sky Sports Darts
Where can I stream Steve Beaton vs Darius Labanauskas? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go
Where can I get tickets for Steve Beaton vs Darius Labanauskas? https://www.pdc.tv/william-hill-world-darts-championship-tickets
What was the outcome in the last meeting? Darius Labanauskas beat Steve Beaton 6-5
THE PLAYERS
STEVE BEATON
- Steve Beaton defeated James Wade 4-2 to make it through to the last 16 at the PDC World Championship for the first time in 16 years and only the second time in his PDC career.
- His victory against Wade was also the first time he has recorded consecutive victories in a PDC World Championship tournament having earlier defeated Kyle Anderson in his opening match.
- Although he had a lower match average than Wade, it was the crucial finishing that proved to be the difference with Beaton’s checkout percentage of nearly 52% being around 20% better than Wade’s.
DARIUS LABANAUSKAS
- Darius Labanauskas followed up his fine second round win against Ian White by coming from 2-1 down to defeat Max Hopp by four sets to two to reach the last 16.
- A 50% checkout percentage was the major factor in Labanauskas overcoming Hopp with the German number one missing 21 darts at a double during their encounter.
- Labanauskas made it through to the quarter-finals at the 2017 BDO World Championship but with guaranteed prize money of £50,000 for the winner of this match, the rewards on offer for reaching the last eight here are much greater.
THE PREDICTION
Steve Beaton has finally made it into the last 16 at the PDC World Championship for the first time in 16 years but if he is to go further and make it through to the quarter-finals he will have to overcome the dangerous Lithuanian darter Darius Labanauskas. Having already defeated Ian White and Max Hopp, it is clear that Labanauskas has what it takes to get the job done against a seeded player on the big stage. The odds suggest this will be a close game and they look to be right. Beaton’s extra big-game experience might well stand him in good stead in edging out his opponent, but a win for Labanauskas would certainly not be a shock. The two previous meetings between them on the ProTour went to a deciding leg and this could go to the wire also. The main prediction is for over 5.5 sets in the match.
