football | Friday, March 3, 2023 3:10 PM (Revised at: Monday, March 6, 2023 1:05 PM)

Jimmy’s Punt: March 5th - 24.00 Card & Result Double this Sunday

James Cantrill

Jimmy’s Punt: Sunday, March 5th

I expected cards to fly at Bramall Lane last weekend and they did- sort off- with Kieth Stroud dishing out five in total. Unfortunately, none of the four players I fancied to be booked had their names taken.

Keen to get back amongst the winners, I have gone for a familiar angle involving a player we’re familiar with.

The selection comes via Sunday’s Premier League six-pointer at the City Ground between Nottingham Forest and Everton.

In this article:

Nottingham Forest vs Everton Preview
Nottingham Forest vs Everton Best Bet

Nottingham Forest vs Everton Preview

England, Premier League, Sunday, March 5th, 14:00 (UK)

Four points and as many places may separate Nottingham Forest and Everton, but the magnitude of this clash cannot be underestimated as a victory for the visitors would see that gap significantly reduced.

Saun Dyche instantly improved the Toffees. They have won a third of the six league games their new boss has overseen, each of those two victories came at home though.

Away from Goodison, the side have struggled to instigate Dyche’s plan. Everton did not lay a glove on Liverpool at Anfield and were thumped 4-0 at the Emirates, having beaten Arsenal 1-0 at home less than a month earlier.

The visitors will be hoping Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be back available for this one, the frontman has missed the last few games with an injury. Neal Maupay will continue to lead the line if DCL remains absent.

As for the hosts, Forest’s last four results encapsulate their season pretty well.

The Tricky Trees edged out Leeds at home, then were comfortably beaten at Craven Cottage.

Back in Nottinghamshire, they pulled off one of the finest smash-and-grabs of the season drawing 1-1 to Manchester City. City had 23 shots, generated an xG of 3.21 and missed five ‘big chances.’ Pep Guardiola’s side were leading until six minutes from time when Chris Wood snatched a share of the spoils.

Steve Cooper’s side were then thumped 4-0 away at West Ham. With this clash being played at the City Ground, the hosts should be competitive, it is where they have taken 76% of their points.

Nottingham Forest vs Everton Best Bet

The bet is an Everton win and stopper Jordan Pickford to be carded, the exact same bet as that clicked for us when the Toffees beat Arsenal in Dyche’s first game in charge of the Merseyside outfit.

Again, the thinking is that the keeper will pull out all the stops if his side gets their noses in front, to hang onto the win.

Obviously, it is considerably shorter than when we originally backed it, but I just think you are essentially betting on the visitors to win because you better believe Pickford is going to try his best for a booking.

With five cards to his name this campaign, Pickford tops his sides the charts for bookings, picking them up in both Merseyside derbies, Arsenal and trips to Brentford and Southampton.

The majority have come for time-wasting, bar his most recent one which was for an argument.

Over the course of his career, he’s racked up 18 yellows and three red cards, and there’s every chance he adds to that tally this Sunday.

John Brookes is the man in the middle, he has averaged 4.33 cards per game this season, making him a pretty ideal appointment.