MARK O'HAIRE (@MarkOHaire) has found four sides worth watching for cards on Wednesday night in Scotland's Premiership action.
Celtic v St Mirren | Wednesday 23rd January 2019, 19:45
The Scottish Premiership resumes on Wednesday night with defending champions Celtic skinny odds-on favourites to succeed against St Mirren at Parkhead.
No top-flight team north of the border enjoy more ball possession than the Bhoys (67%) and Saints arrive at Paradise boasting the league’s lowest average (42%). The visitors are also privy to plenty of cards with an average of 2.43 received per-game, rising to 2.50 away.
Celtic’s opponents are collecting an average of 2.35 cards per-game this season, and with St Mirren claiming 20+ Bookings Points in 16/21 (76%) encounters this term, including 8/10 (80%) away, it’s easy to make a case for the visitors in the cards market.
Euan Anderson has been given the whistle for this one – he averages 4.00 cards per-game in league action in 2018/19, flashing four red cards in his 14 games.
St Mirren are just 4/9 (SkyBet) to receive 20+ Bookings Points so we’ll make the guests the first entry of a handsome 7/2 four-fold.
Hamilton v Aberdeen | Wednesday 23rd January 2019, 19:45
Hamilton are seeing just 43% of the ball on average, the Scottish Premiership’s second-lowest figure and they’re welcoming an Aberdeen team that’s been fouled most often in the top-tier this term. The Dons opponents are also seeing an average of 2.67 cards per-game and so the hosts already look ripe for cards.
The Accies themselves tend to be strong performers in the bookings parish. Martin Canning’s charges are picking up 2.57 cards per-game, a figure rising to 2.60 at their New Douglas Park home. Hamilton have banked for 20+ Bookings Points backers in all bar one of their 10 outings here, as well as in 19/21 (91%) matches overall.
Greg Aitken is the man in the middle. He’s already sent three players off in his 15 league matches in 2018/19, averaging 3.80 cards in that time.
Hamilton are also 4/9 (SkyBet) to collect 20+ Bookings Points, so we’ll add them into the four-fold.
Motherwell v Hibs | Wednesday 23rd January 2019, 19:45
Motherwell commit the most fouls in the Scottish Premiership and average just 45% of the ball. On Wednesday night they’re welcoming Hibs to Fir Park with the visitors enjoying a 56% share of possession – the division’s third-best figure.
Well have received 20+ Bookings Points in eight of their 10 games on home soil this season, as well as 17/21 (81%) tussles across the whole league campaign. Those encounters have seen Steve Robinson’s men average 2.52 cards per-game.
The hosts hold plenty of appeal at 4/7 (SkyBet) in the 20+ Bookings Points market, so we’ll make them the third entry into the four-fold. The only negative here is, Bobby Madden is the game’s referee, and he’s averaging only 2.43 cards in the Premiership this season.
St Johnstone v Livingston | Wednesday 23rd January 2019, 19:45
Finally, Livingston can be added to join the 20+ Bookings Points party. The Lions are just 4/9 (SkyBet) as a single but added to the previous three selections will see the bet boosted to a four-fold at odds bigger than 7/2.
Livi have covered this mark in 14/21 (67%) fixtures overall with the majority of damage delivered on their travels – 9/10 (90%) away trips have seen Gary Holt’s troops collect at least 20 Bookings Points with an average of 2.10 cards per-game dished out.
Livingston commit the league’s fourth-most fouls and are sure to come under serious scrutiny when serial card-issuer Andrew Dallas takes charge. The man in black has flashed an average of 5.21 cards per-game this season in the league, sending off six players across his 14 encounters – that’s an average of one red card every 2.33 games in 2018/19.
Include Dallas’ cup contests, European commitments and he’s serving up an average of five yellows per-match, and a red card every three games. Betfair are offering 4/1 on a red card being issued here.
If you’re new to Bookings Points, a yellow card is awarded 10 Bookings Points, with a red receiving 25 Bookings Points. Should a player pick up two bookings and a subsequent red, 35 Bookings Points are given. So 20+ Bookings Points bets are essentially looking for a team to pick up two yellow cards, or a straight red to pay-out.
Best Bets
Scottish Premiership – St Mirren, Hamilton, Motherwell and Livingston to each receive 20+ Bookings Points (7/2 SkyBet)
