MLS double for card king Gavin Murphy (@GamePlanGavin) last weekend so he's back for more Stadeside action here.
Toronto FC v Kansas City Wizards | Saturday 00:30 | Sky Sports 2
MLS returns after the International break and there is plenty to get stuck into! In the early hours of Saturday morning, Toronto welcome back their superstar Sebastian Giovinco from injury as they host defensively dominant Sporting Kansas City.
KC have conceded just one goal in three matches but struggle to score themselves (two goals). They do have a strong record against Toronto, winning 5/11 in Canada and 14/23 anywhere.
The average number of cards shown in the previous six meetings between these two teams is 5.4 per game. This term Toronto average 2.3 cards per game as do Kansas City. That suggests that 4.6 total cards might be expected here.
Irish referee Alan Kelly is in charge. He is issuing a card every 5.89 fouls so far in 2017. I find him to be a slow burner when it comes to getting his cards out but nonetheless he averages 4.5 cards per game this season. That is a marked increase on his average of 3.4 in 2015.
This is one of four matches (the others being Columbus v Orlando, Minnesota v Real Salt Lake and Vancouver v LA) which indicate the line has been incorrectly assessed so I'm recommending backing over 3.5 cards at 3/4 with 888sport.
Colombus Crew v Orlando City | Saturday 21:00 | Sky Sports 3
My second pick comes on Saturday night as Columbus Crew welcome an undercooked Orlando City to Ohio. The Floridians have only played two matches in 2017 after their game at New England was postponed due to poor weather conditions.
This fixture averages five goals per game across the past four meetings. However I will be looking at the card market again because Jose Carlos Rivero is in charge. He averages five cards per game in 2017 and he is issuing a card every four fouls which is crazy.
The head to head average is 4.4 cards per game over the past six encounters. In 2017 Columbus average 2.2 cards per game and Orlando 2.00. That suggests four or more cards is likely. Rivero looks like a referee to keep onside and so I'm recommending backing over 3.5 cards at 77/100 with 888sport.
Vancouver Whitecaps v LA Galaxy | Sunday 02:00
Finally, I can't tip a 5/8 shot as a single but if you wanted to boost your odds and make a nice 4/1 treble with 888sport then consider adding in over 3.5 cards in the Vancouver v LA Galaxy game.
Allen Chapman is the referee here and he is averaging 6.5 cards per game in 2017. Quite remarkably he is issuing a card every 3.6 fouls. These two teams combine for an average of five cards per game in 2017 too so over 3.5 cards looks very solid at a relatively short price.
Best Bets
Toronto FC v Kansas City Wizards – Over 3.5 Cards (3/4 888 Sport)
Colombus Crew v Orlando City – Over 3.5 Cards (77/100 888 Sport)
Vancouver Whitecaps v LA Galaxy – Over 3.5 Cards (5/8 888 Sport
