CARD KING Gavin Murphy (@GamePlanGavin) has made hay with his Stateside bookings bets this season. He's back for more MLS goodness this weekend.
DC United v New York City | Saturday 21:00
The main sporting attraction in North America this weekend is of course The Masters but there are some opportunities to exploit once again in MLS.
Last week saw an average of 3.6 cards per-game which was the lowest of the five weeks played so far. This week I've picked out two odds-against shots that represent good value.
On Saturday evening DC United host New York City at RFK Stadium. Patrick Vieira's guests are third in the Eastern Conference and will fancy their chances at ninth-placed DC.
The head-to-head average between these two teams is 4.17 cards per-game. This term DC average 2.75 cards per-game and the boys from the Bronx average 1.5. However, New York have played three of their four games so far at Yankee Stadium, so that stat is possibly artificially low.
DC are ranked fifth in most fouls committed and New York nine. New York are fourth in most fouls suffered which bodes well too.
Canadian Drew Fischer is in charge this time around and he averages 5.00 cards per-game in 2017. His 2016 average was 4.12 so is pretty consistent. He typically issues a card every 7.80 fouls which is below the league average.
This is a fixture I had circled earlier in the week. 888 are offering 5/4 on Over 4.5 cards and I'll be backing that.
Real Salt Lake v Vancouver Whitecaps | Sunday 02:30
My second pick involves Real Salt Lake and Vancouver Whitecaps.
RSL are rock-bottom of the Western Conference and will be under the stewardship of new boss Mike Petke. Vancouver are in eighth having played just one away game so far.
RSL average 3.00 cards per-game and were involved in a tetchy second-half last week against New York Red Bulls. Whitecaps average 2.25 cards per game so far.
The real star of the show though should be referee Boldomero Toledo. The Mexican-born official averages 6.33 cards per-game and that includes two red cards in three games.
The average number of cards per-game in head-to-head meetings between these two teams is 5.00 whilst no team has committed more fouls in MLS than Real Salt Lake's 72.
I expect cards to be shown in this game and am happy to back Over 4.5 Cards at 32/25 with 888. I will also be backing the double at 21/5 with 888.
Best Bets
DC United v New York City – Over 4.5 Cards (5/4 888)
Real Salt Lake v Vancouver Whitecaps – Over 4.5 Cards (32/25 888)
Back the double at 21/5 (888)
