IT'S the big game on Sunday and Gavin Murphy (@GamePlanGavin) has found a bookings angle on Chelsea-Manchester United.
Chelsea v Manchester United | Sunday 16:00 | Sky Sports 1
Jose Mourinho makes his first return to Stamford Bridge as the Manchester United manager in what should truly be a Super Sunday! Passions should be running high as the Portuguese will surely want to get one over his successor, Antonio Conte.
Frankly, the Red Devils have a shockingly bad recent record in this fixture with no victories in the last six meetings. Chelsea have won two of those games with four draws. This season both are hovering around the Champions League places whilst retaining loftier aspirations.
Chelsea have collected the third most yellow cards (20) in the top-flight so far in 2016/17 with United fifth worst offenders with 19 yellows. Neither club has yet to receive a red card.
Martin Atkinson gets the whistle for this showdown. He isn't as prolific as he once was but nonetheless is a favourable appointment I feel.
The past six meetings between these two clubs have seen cards of 3-6-4-12-6-2 at an average of 5.33 per-game.
Atkinson was in charge of two of those games which both ended 0-0 in December 2015 and August 2013. He brandished cards of six and two in those matches respectively.
Bet365 chalked this up as under or over 4.5 cards. I expect a full blooded encounter and plenty of atmosphere which should be good for cards.
I think someone will get an early bath in this one but, more conservatively, am recommending Over 4.5 Cards with Bet365 at 4/6.
Best Bets
Chelsea v Manchester United – Over 4.5 Cards (4/6 Bet365)
