GAVIN Murphy (@GamePlanGav) returns with a bookings focus on Wednesday night’s Champions League clash between CSKA Moscow and Sporting Lisbon.
CSKA Moscow v Sporting Lisbon | Wednesday 19.45 | BT Sport Extra
All five of Tuesday night’s Champions League play-off tussles went Over the bookings lines and perhaps that’s not quite as surprising when you consider just how much rests on these vital continental battles. However, despite those trends I’d already targeted CSKA’s showdown with Sporting is Moscow as a match of great interest from a bookings perspective.
The Portuguese side hold a narrow 2-1 advantage from their date in Lisbon leaving the tie delicately posed. Czech whistlblower Pavel Kralovec has been given the gig and although he’s a lenient referee by nature, he’ll be hard pressed to keep his cards in his pocket, given the stakes.
Sporting head coach Jorge Jesus has recently moved across town from arch rivals Benfica and is a big personality. Anyone who remembers his spat on the sidelines with Tim Sherwood will know he’s no shrinking violet and likely to stir the pot in the Russian capital on Wednesday night.
Other than an unlikely blowout victory for either side, I fully expect plenty of tension and the potential for fireworks as pressure mounts on both big hitters to pocket a place in the Champions League group phase. That should set the tone and Over 5.5 Cards at 11/10 (Bet365) looks well worth a few bob.
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CSKA Moscow v Sporting Lisbon – Over 5.5 Cards (11/10 Bet365)
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