After last week’s two Premier League tips were both voided after they failed to play, here’s hoping I haven’t wasted my time this week.
I’ve got three anytime card tips for Saturday’s games…
Jean Michael Seri – Fulham v Manchester United (Sat, 1230) – 7/2 (Betfair, Paddy Power)
Since the arrival of Claudio Ranieri, Seri has tended to play a more defensive role in the Fulham midfield.
The same period has brought a run of cards – the Ivory Coast international has received six in his last nine Premier League starts.
It is unlikely to be a co-incidence.
It’s hard to know exactly who Seri will be up against in this televised game but we do know United are buzzing right now and certainly playing a faster, more attack-minded game than they were a few months back. Seri is therefore likely to be in the firing line.
Seri’s run of cards began at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture and he can go back into the book in this game, one in which much is at stake with Fulham in danger of being cut adrift of safety and United in need of points as they chase a top-four spot.
Referee: Paul Tierney – Partial to the odd card, only two officials are averaging more yellows than Tierney (3.65) in this season’s Premier League. Good news for this bet.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – Southampton v Cardiff (Sat, 1500) – 10/3 (Betfair, Paddy Power)
Having been in good form prior to a recent concussion, the all-action midfielder is set to return to the starting XI for this game.
He’s also been in good form on the card front too, collecting eight in his 18 Premier League appearances, including three of the last four. Six of the eight have been in home games, too.
The Saints know if they lose they will slip below Cardiff, who currently sit in the relegation zone, in the table so this is very much a six-pointer which should be hotly contested.
Southampton have the league’s worst discipline (Burnley have actually collected two more yellow cards but also two fewer reds) and Hojbjerg will look to take command of the midfield.
Referee: Martin Atkinson – Admittedly not the best appointment as he’s carding just below the league average. Far from disastrous though.
Etienne Capoue – Watford v Everton (Sat, 1500) – 7/2 (bet365, Unibet, 888Sport)
Troy Deeney this week urged Watford fans not to boo returning manager Marco Silva as it would only serve to motivate Everton. Instead, he said, “let us kick the shit out of them”.
It may well have been said entirely in jest but if the bad blood at boardroom level is about to spill onto the pitch, Capoue is likely to be one of those trying to dish out retribution.
As for Silva, he says Everton’s players are very much aware of the comments. In the past, they haven’t been ones for shirking.
Even if Watford have nothing out of the ordinary planned, the fact is that Capoue has already been carded in eight of his 21 Premier League games this season, while he’s been booked in this very fixture in two of the last three seasons.
He leads the Watford squad for attempted tackles and fouls committed and this looks sure to be a physical battle.
No quarter will be given by the midfielders on either side and with these two teams both in the top six when it comes to bad discipline, it could get tasty.
Referee: Lee Probert – Sadly, given the circumstances, the referee is not known for his high card tallies, although Probert has upped his card game this season and is averaging three per match, slightly below the league average. Interestingly, he did book Capoue on his last visit to Vicarage Road.