The Cards Column Tips: A Match Made in Heaven

It’s a big weekend across the divisions, so we’ve tasked Matt Kirby to pick out some of his favourite cards and bookings tips from the Premier League and Football League. We head to Southampton and Millwall in the second tier as Neil Harris looks to continue an impressive start back at The Den, before the Cottage plays host to a Fulham side with four points from their last two outings.

• Southampton vs Sunderland: Both Teams 2+ Cards
• Millwall vs Birmingham: Jordan James To Be Booked
• Wolves vs Fulham: Both Teams 2+ Cards 

Odds via bet365 as of 21:30, March 7th 2024. Odds may now differ.

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The Premier League and the Championship

The big game in the Premier League title race goes to Michael Oliver as leaders Liverpool welcome Man City to Anfield. There’s an eye-catching appointment at Selhurst Park, where Sunny Gill is handed his top-flight debut.

In the Championship, there’s a first game at this level for Charles Breakspear – he showed 12 cards as AFC Wimbledon beat MK Dons last Saturday. Select Group 1 official Stuart Attwell is at St Mary’s for Southampton’s home clash with Sunderland

League One and League TwoLeague One and League Two Graphic Here

There’s a game in League Two for the returning Select Group 2 official James Linington. His colleague Dean Whitestone oversees the Karl Robinson derby in MK Dons vs Salford.

Ollie Yates is an interesting appointment to Blackpool’s game with Portsmouth. He did the reverse fixture at Fratton Park and showed eight yellows and a red. While those who enjoy the charts will be drawn to the numbers of Thomas Parsons and Simon Mather.

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Southampton vs Sunderland: Attwell to bring the cards

England, Championship, Saturday, March 9th, 15:00 (UK)

Southampton ended up with a free midweek after Wednesday’s game with Preston was postponed due to a fire near St Mary’s. That freshness could benefit them as Sunderland make the long trip south for this Championship encounter.

The Black Cats may have fond memories of their last meeting with the Saints. They ran out 5-0 winners at the Stadium of Light in September, when plenty of concerns were raised about Russell Martin – how times have changed!

That game, despite the scoreline, still saw both sides collect two cards, and there’s a good chance we get a repeat of that here. So, I’m starting this week by taking both teams to receive 2+ cards at 2.10 on Bet365.

Here at St Mary’s, the Saints have picked up two or more cards in 14 of 17 league games. What boosts confidence further is the fact that this bet has also landed in six of the last seven Southampton home games.

Sunderland’s record is equally as good. They’ve picked up 2+ cards in 10 of their last 14 away games, with each of their last five on the road seeing a return on this bet.

Despite Mike Dodds being unable to call on Jack Clarke, it’s worth pointing out that Sunderland draws the most fouls per game in the division (13.1). Southampton sit eighth in that chart, winning 11 free kicks per 90. So, we could end up with something of a stop-start clash.

The man in the middle is Stuart Attwell who rules with cards. He’s averaging 5.5 cards per 90 this season, with his sole Championship outing seeing him caution five players.

The Warwickshire whistler has seen this bet land in seven of his 13 middles, including in each of his last three. When I see Attwell, I think cards, which can only be a good thing.

• Selection: Both teams to Receive 2+ Cards (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: bet365
• Bookmaker: 2.10
• Stake: 10/10

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Jordan James To Be Booked: JJ to rile The Den

England, Championship, Saturday, March 9th, 15:00 (UK)

Last week’s player pick came from The Den, where we had no joy with Japhet Tanganga. And in quite typical fashion, the centre-back was then booked in Millwall’s midweek game at Blackburn. Given his record, he’s still a decent price at 4.33 to be booked, but I’m looking elsewhere.

But first, let’s set the scene. The bottom of the Championship has been well-documented as tight. Other than Rotherham, who are doomed, there are about 11 teams that could fill the two other relegation spots.

Millwall (18th) and Birmingham (20th) are two within that, so there’s plenty at stake. The Lions have turned a corner since Neil Harris’ return – whether you believe in ‘new manager bounce’ – they’ve won twice and drawn one of three to help ease some of the stress.

The Blues’ predicament shows how the Wayne Rooney experiment failed and with Tony Mowbray off due to ill health, there’s been a lot happening at the Midlands club.

And it’s a visiting player that is on my radar in this one. Jordan James at 5.50 with Bet365 looks a tempting price for a player with eight cautions to his name this term.

There’s a chance that James could find himself in a few tussles with Zian Flemming, who has drawn 16 fouls in his last seven games, which could draw the attention of referee Darren Bond.

Of his eight cautions, five have been on the road. And he’s a player that will give this his all, as he came through the Birmingham academy, so knows what it means to wear the Blue shirt.

With Bond averaging 4.6 cards, I’m expecting a few here with a lot to play for and a raucous atmosphere. Bond’s only Millwall game this season saw him caution two opposition players – both of whom lined up in midfield for Huddersfield that day. If lightning strikes twice, we could see a challenge from James result in a card.

• Selection: Jordan James to be Booked
• Best Odds: 5.50
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

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Wolves vs Fulham: Match made in heaven?

England, Premier League, Saturday, March 9th, 15:00 (UK)

It might only be early March but this game could have the feel of something like a dead-rubber. Both sides are comfortably mid-table and can enjoy their run-ins. But I do believe Gary O’Neil and Marco Silva will keep their players up to their work.

That being said, both sides are decent for cards, which could mean Tony Harrington has to try and keep the peace throughout.

Wolves average 2.5 yellows per home game, while Fulham average 2.6 per away match. So, straight away quotes of 2.00 for both teams to see 2+ cards takes the eye.

Fans of Old Gold will have become accustomed to seeing their players collecting cards. Wolves have picked up two-plus in 10 of 13 in the top flight here at Molineux.

They’re solid numbers, and the music to my ears is that Fulham are equally as combustible. The Cottagers have received 2+ cards in 10 of 13 on their travels as well.

Take that further and Wolves rank second for fouls committed per home game (12.5 per 90). So, they’ll take no prisoners here.

As mentioned above, Harrington is the man in charge. He oversaw Wolves’ FA Cup tie at Brentford, where Joao Gomes saw red for serious foul play in nine minutes. That game saw a card count of 3-4, so there is a bit of previous for the ref with Wolves.

Harrington has been plagued by injury, which has seen him only take charge of a handful of games this season. But his figures certainly suggest he can brandish them.

He dished out a 3-2 split as Everton beat Crystal Palace in an FA Cup replay, showed five more when the Eagles beat Sheffield Utd, and then his last league outing saw a 4-3 split, as he dismissed Billy Gilmour for Brighton.

We have an official that can spot a bad challenge, while we’ve got two sides who rank highly for cards. That should hopefully make it a match made in heaven for us card backers.

• Selection: Both Teams to Receive 2+ Cards (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: bet365
• Bookmaker: 2.00
• Stake: 10/10

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