Will Clayton win again against Clemens?
Monday evening it is also time for Gabriel Clemens. The player from Saarland will start the World Matchplay 2023 with a first round match against Jonny Clayton. It is not an easy draw for the world number 20 “Gaga”, because Clayton is one of Clemens’ fearful opponents. So far, betting on the “German Giant” in a duel between Clayton and Clemens has never paid off.
It’s quite possible that a prediction on the Welshman will also pay off this time in the match between Clayton and Clemens. In the weeks leading up to the Matchplay, “The Ferret” built up his confidence and won eight of his last ten matches. If he can build on that, it is likely that Clayton will also overcome the first hurdle at the Matchplay.
Gabriel Clemens is making only his fourth appearance in match play in his ongoing professional career. In 2020, “Gaga” had his best result with an appearance in the second round, since then the man from Saarland has been eliminated in the first round twice in a row – is the negative trend continuing?
Jonny Clayton – Statistics & current form
Jonny Clayton, like Gabriel Clemens, does not have the best record at the Matchplay. In his five participations before the Welsh darts pro was eliminated in the first round four times. Only once “The Ferret” progressed into the second round of the World Matchplay.
Last year the Welshman lost the first round duel against Rowby-John Rodriguez. In the best-of-19 Clayton lost 7:10 on the first day of the tournament and had to say goodbye to the World Matchplay. This time “The Ferret” will meet one of his favourite opponents and therefore has realistic chances to reach the second round of the Matchplay 2023.
Cause Clayton has won every match against Gabriel Clemens so far.
Is Clayton on recent form?
In his last ten matches, Jonny Clayton has only left the stage as a loser twice. The Welshman has only had a points average below the 90 mark once across those ten encounters. If “The Ferret” takes the momentum with him, Clayton should not have too much trouble against Clemens either and bag a win.
In two of the last three matches Clayton even celebrated a “White Wash” – a win without losing a leg. After a 6:0 win over Ted Evetts Clayton also defeated Danny Noppert 6:0. Only against José de Sousa the Welshman folded and missed the semi-finals of the Players Championship 16 in Leicester.
Gabriel Clemens – Statistics & current form
Gabriel Clemens has reached Blackpool after some travel hardships. Monday evening the Matchplay 2023 will start for the player from Saarland with the hurdle against Clayton. In the last three years the “German Giant” was already represented at the prestigious tournament.
In 2020, Clemens had to bow out in the second round against Ratajski. One year later, however, the adventure at the Matchplay ended already in the first round against José de Sousa. Clemens was literally shown up by the Portuguese with a 2:10. Clemens was eliminated against the same opponent last year – but this time “only” with a 6:10.
Will Clemens have to bow out again in the first round?
Before the Matchplay, Clemens did not leave the best impression at the Players Championship 16. After his successful tournament start, the player from Saarland lost his match against the world number 83 Brian Raman. Clemens not only had a weak average (83.67), but also disappointed with a weak double quota.
It is therefore more than risky to bet on the “German Giant” in the first round match between Clayton and Clemens. Those who still want to bet on it can also use a free bet with the bookmakers. If “Gaga” is successful, the criterion for the minimum odds will also be met.
Jonny Clayton – Gabriel Clemens Direct comparison / H2H-balance
Jonny Clayton and Gabriel Clemens meet for the twelfth time overall. So far, “The Ferret” Clayton has won each of the previous eleven meetings against Clemens. The last time the two players met was at the 2022 European Championship. Clayton beat Clemens 6-4 on that occasion to extend their winning streak.
Jonny Clayton – Gabriel Clemens Tip
Jonny Clayton goes into the 2023 World Matchplay in far better shape than Gabriel Clemens. Although both players disappointed in the match play in the past, we see – as well as the bookmakers with German licence – the Welshman as favourite in the upcoming match. Among other things, because Clayton won every match against Clemens so far.
The Welshman also had the better scoring average in his last ten matches. “The Ferret” has even won eight of these ten encounters. Clemens, on the other hand, conceded two defeats in his last three matches – including the bitter 3:6 against a player like Brian Raman.
Although Clemens is by no means to be underestimated, we think a move by Clayton into the second round of the 2023 Matchplay is close. Our Clayton vs. Clemens tip, however, aims for “more 180s for Clayton”. After all, Clayton had a strong scoring average recently and was particularly convincing in the Players Championship 16. For our prediction we use five out of ten possible units.
