First appearance of Gaga
One day before Christmas Eve the last matches of the PDC World Darts Championship 2022 second round will be played at Alexandra Palace in London. As the last German Gabriel Clemens will take part in the action. As number 25 of the Order of Merit the 38 year old had a walk-through in the first round and now will play against Welshman Lewy Williams.
Gaga Clemens is seen by the bookmakers tested as a relatively clear favourite in this duel. After all he is 68 places ahead of the Welshman in the PDC ranking. But it was the sportsmen from Wales who caused a sensation in the Ally Pally and had the highest averages.
The second best average so far was played by Welshman Jonny Clayton and he will be the opponent in the third round of the winner of our match. We can well imagine that The German Giant will return to Alexandra Palace after the holidays, because in the run-up to this second round match the prediction between Gabriel Clemens and Lewy Williams is for a win for the German favourite.
It’s like football, or any other sport for that matter. The first match at a major tournament always has its special requirements. In this respect, the German should have fewer problems, as he is already playing in his fourth year at the World Cup, while his Welsh opponent is making his debut. Experience is also one reason why, between Gabriel Clemens and Lewy Williams, we are leaning towards a tip on a German win.
Gabriel Clemens – Statistics & current form
Current Position Order of Merit: 25
Position in Order of Merit: 25
For the fourth time Gaga Clemens will play in the PDC World Darts Championship. Last year he made it into the fourth round which was the best result of a German in these tournaments. This year the aim has to be to build on last season’s success. That will be difficult again, but if The German Giant picks up speed right away on Thursday, then a lot is possible.
Lights and shadows at Gaga
Lately Gabriel Clemens showed light and shadow. At the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton the German started outstanding and first celebrated two wins against Belgian Mike de Decker and sensationally also against Peter “Snakebite” Wright. Nevertheless he missed the KO round because he lost in the final match against Fallon Sherrock and was eliminated as third of the group because of the worse legs.
Last time Gaga Clemens took part in the Players Championship Finals. Things didn’t really go well there. In the first round he managed a close 6:5 win after legs against Englishman Steve Beaton. But already in the second round The German Giant had no chance against Australian Damon Heta and lost 2:6.
Now we will see how strong Gabriel Clemens will be in the Ally Pally. We still think that the odds on a German win in the match between Gabriel Clemens and Lewy Williams should be the better choice.
Last matches of Gabriel Clemens:
Players Championship Finals
11/27 2021 – Damon Heta 6 – 2 Gabriel Clemens
11/26 2021 – Gabriel Clemens 6 – 5 Steve Beaton
Grand Slam of Darts Group E
11/16 2021 – Gabriel Clemens 3 – 5 Fallon Sherrock
11/14 2021 – Peter Wright 4 – 5 Gabriel Clemens
11/13 2021 – Gabriel Clemens 5 – 1 Mike de Decker
Lewy Williams – Statistics & current form
Current Position Order of Merit: 93
Seeded position: unseeded
The darts king of Wales is undisputed with Gerwyn Price. But behind him there is room for some other throwers and so Lewy Williams already secured himself an impressive fighting name with “The Prince of Wales” which makes clear what the 19-year-old still has in mind for the next years. His goal is nothing less than to become one of the world’s top fighters.
First time at the World Darts Championship
But the young Welshman still lacks the experience to compete at the highest level. At Alexandra Palace this year he will take part for the first time. After the UK Open 2020, the World Cup is now the second major tournament at which Lewy Williams will stand at the oche. Therefore, one should perhaps not expect too much from the young prince yet.
Before the World Championships, the Welshman played in the World Youth Championships and was eliminated in the last 16. Before that he played in the Players Championships at the beginning of November. He didn’t take part in the Grand Slam of Darts or in the finals of the Players Championships. So it is difficult to predict a win for the underdog in the duel between Gabriel Clemens and Lewy Williams.
At least he has the advantage that he has already played one match at the Ally Pally this year, but that was nothing more than a nice warm-up. He had no problems at all against Japan’s Toyokazu Shibata in the first round and with an average of 93.05 he only had to give up two legs in a clear 3:0 win in sets.
Last matches of Lewy Williams:
World Darts Championship
12/21 2021 – Lewy Williams 3 – 0 Toyokazu Shibata
Players Championship 30
11/04 2021 – Nathan Aspinall 6 – 3 Lewy Williams
Players Championship 29
11/03 2021 – Damon Heta 6 – 4 Lewy Williams
11/03 2021 – Lisa Ashton 2 – 6 Lewy Williams
Players Championship 28
11/02 2021 – Jesus Noguera 6 – 4 Lewy Williams
Gabriel Clemens – Lewy Williams Direct comparison / H2H record
Although Lewy Williams is just 19 years old, the two opponents have already crossed paths once. In the summer, Gabriel Clemens and The Prince of Wales competed against each other at the Players Championships 13 in Milton Keynes. However, The German Giant could have saved himself this trip.
Already in the first round Lewy Williams impressively proved his talent. In the best-of-11-legs mode, the Welshman won 6:4. That means he is ahead in the direct comparison, but also that Gaga Clemens still has something to make up on Thursday
Gabriel Clemens – Lewy Williams Tip
Gabriel Clemens is certainly the favourite at the Ally Pally on Thursday. The German showed what he is capable of recently at the Grand Slam of Darts when he prevailed against Peter Wright. However, he has also shown some weaknesses recently. The German Giant certainly seems vulnerable.
That became clear when he lost in the so far only direct duel against The Prince of Wales in Milton Keynes in the summer. Nevertheless, the German, who is twice his age, should make the most of his experience a day before Christmas and that is why we are still leaning towards a tip on a German win in the match between Gabriel Clemens and Lewy Williams.
The Welshman may have the advantage of having already played in the first round at the Ally Pally and having already played a match. Gaga Clemens, however, should have enough experience not to get nervous. We think the German’s class will prevail and that’s why between Gabriel Clemens and Lewy Williams we play the betting odds on a handicap win (-1.5 sets) for the German Giant.
