Pre-Boxing Day Premier League Yellow Card Betting Tips and Insight

It has become a trend in recent years for the market to take a look at which players are one card away from a suspension on the weekend before Christmas and here we are. This weekend, there are 37 (yes, THIRTY SEVEN) players who will be suspended for the Boxing Day fixtures with a yellow card this weekend.

So, we've looked through each game to take notice of and a few players that we think are worth keeping an eye on at their price, so strap yourselves in and let's look at the odds!

Aston Villa vs. Manchester City

Representing Aston Villa's chances of a card this weekend is Morgan Rodgers and across social media, there has been a lot of interest in the chances of him getting another booking. In his last game before Christmas he was booked - but did not miss the game on Boxing Day - so it is understandable why.

With an average of 1.3 fouls per game, he is the Villains' second-highest perpetrator for fouls this season, however, he is facing Kyle Walker who draws around half a foul per game, which is something to be wary of.

A trip to Newcastle awaits Unai Emery's side on Boxing Day, which is certainly a long trip from Birmingham.

On the other side, we have Bernardo Silva, who averages just under a foul per game. He, like Rogers, is very likely to start in this fixture, and facing a midfield of Youri Tielemans and John McGinn - who draw around five fouls between them per game - is a very good attractive option.

Rogers is priced at 5/1 with QuinnBet, whereas Bernardo Silva is priced at 17/5 with Coral. Certainly, interesting prices.

West Ham United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

I think Lucas Paqueta is probably the best selection for this game, for a number of reasons. Not only does he concede almost two fouls per game, but he also got a yellow on the last game before Boxing Day last season, for this reason, I think Paqueta is my favourite pick of this game.

I'm then slightly torn between picking Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez. The Mexican averages 0.49 more fouls per game than his teammate and got booked on the game before Boxing Day last season, so its one to keep an eye out for.

Guido Rodriguez, Lewis Dunk and Jan Van Hecke also are one booking away from a suspension, but I'm not too keen on any of them.

Brentford vs. Nottingham Forest

We only have three players close to a suspension in Brentford vs. Nottingham Forest, but once again, there is an opportunity for some value.

Brentford only see two cards against them per game, with Forest averaging similar numbers for.

It is three Forest players that we are looking at here, and my favourite, without a doubt, is Ryan Yates.

With 29 fouls in 16 games, he is seemingly a magnet for a yellow card and I think we could see him miss Boxing Day.

Nicolas Dominguez is another shout in this game and with 1.85 fouls per game, he represents more value. However, I'm unsure about how many fouls he would give away against Brentford's midfield, for this reason.

Neco Williams is also another player who could miss Boxing Day, but with less than a foul per game, I'm not too sure.

Ipswich Town vs. Newcastle United

We travel to Suffolk for Ipswich's clash against Newcastle United and I think there could be a few cards here.

Ipswich average around three cards per game, and I think Sam Morsy could be one of those receiving a card this weekend.

The Newcastle midfield wins around six fouls per game and Morsy averaging just under two fouls per game makes me quite confident of his chances of a booking.

Sandro Tonali is another player who risks being suspended for Boxing Day and with 1.34 fouls per game, I kind of like the idea.

However, a clash against Aston Villa on the 26th makes me think Eddie Howe may try to avoid the Italian risking a booking, so I'd be very wary of the odds, possibly using Bet365 for a void if not starting pick, but the odds are much lower (11/5).

Fabian Schar is another player who is one card away from a suspension, but with less than a foul a game, I'm not running towards him on the market.

Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal

Jefferson Lerma is one card away from a suspension but with only 1.31 fouls per game, I'm not too keen on his chances for a booking.

If the game was at the Emirates, perhaps I may be swayed, with chances of a tactical foul possibly higher.

I do like Gabriel Jesus' chances of a card though, quite a lot. In this fixture, only four players have averaged more fouls per game than the Brazilian, and with 2.3 fouls per 90, I think he has a nice chance.

However, I am wary of the fact that Kai Havertz is likely to start ahead of him, so I'd once again be considering Bet365's void if does not start offer. Once again though, his odds do drop (21/10).

Fulham vs. Southampton

This is not really a great game for cards, despite Southampton receiving the second most cards per game in the Premier League.

The only player I kind of like in this game is Mateus Fernandes to be booked. The Portuguese midfielder averages around 1.6 fouls per game.

He could be facing Adama Traore on the left-hand side - who draws almost two fouls per game - which makes it a nicer pick, but even then I'm not completely sold.

Adam Lallana and Adam Armstrong, who can also be suspended on Boxing Day with a card this weekend, are not really great picks in my mind, so I'm only putting forward Fernandes.

Leicester vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

This game has the potential to be really card-heavy with both teams averaging around the 2.5 cards per game for and against.

It is no surprise then that there are several players who risk a suspension this weekend.

For Wolves, I like Joao Gomes. The Brazilian has made around 2.5 fouls per 90 on average this season. This is going to be a scrappy game, and I could see the Brazilian taking a card if his team needs him to.

Jordan Ayew, Jamie Vardy, Mario Lemina and Oliver Skipp are also one card away from suspensions, but none really stick out for me.

Everton vs. Chelsea

We then go to Merseyside for Everton's hosting of Chelsea and this game, once again, has the potential to be card-heavy.

Chelsea this season have averaged more than three cards for and against, and despite Everton's lower record, I think there could be some value.

Ashley Young is a player who has regularly been mentioned for this game on social media, and I have to side with the people here. With an average of 1.1 fouls a game, he's not exactly a standout pick. However, the opposition frontline draw in a lot of fouls, so I think there could be a chance we see him picked up for a foul.

I also quite like the idea of Robert Sanchez getting a card. Goodison is a difficult place to go, regardless of who you are, so if the Blues are holding onto a narrow lead, I could see the Spaniard wasting some time. I'll admit, this is probably the least likely of the ones I've suggested so far.

Michael Keane and Nicolas Jackson also risk suspensions this weekend, but I can't see too much reason to back them.

Manchester United vs. Bournemouth

There are some really good picks available in this game I think and not one of them are for the hosts.

Despite Harry Maguire being one card away from a suspension, I'm not too fond of his chances in all honesty, so I'm looking elsewhere.

I do really like the look of a Lewis Cook booking, and with 2.2 fouls per game, it seems a really good opportunity. Adding to this, he is against a Manchester United team who draw quite a lot of fouls in midfield, so I could see him getting quite involved.

Justin Kluivert also stands out to me, the Dutchman commits slightly less than two fouls per 90 and this automatically spikes my interest.

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool

Finally, we have Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool, and once again we could be spoiled with cards.

In their games this season, both teams have seen around five cards per game given, so there is definitely some value to be had on the market.

My first fancy of the game is Darwin Nunez, who averages around two fouls per game. He got a card in the EFL cup late on last season on December 20, and with Spurs midfielders drawing around four fouls per game, he could be a great pick.

My next pick has to be Ryan Gravenberch, he is facing the same midfield, but will also be more involved with James Maddison - who draws around three fouls per game. With 1.63 fouls committed per game, I think there is some great value to be had here.