ALEX JONES (@AlexJ0nes9) analyses the odds as Arsenal take on Olympiacos in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Olympiacos vs Arsenal | Thursday 11th March 2021, 20:00 | BT Sport
Arsenal are on the way to Greece again this midweek as they look for revenge over Olympiakos, who knocked them out of this competition last season.
The Greek side won dramatically at The Emirates in extra time last season in the Round of 32. Both legs finished 0-1 to the away side last year but Arsenal are on a long streak without a clean sheet as they have conceded in each of their last eight.
This match up with the Gunners is the fourth sperate time Olympiakos have faced English opposition in Europe since the start of last season, facing Spurs, Arsenal, Wolves and Man City since.
There is a lot on the line with no side wanting to be out the tie from the first leg. That should bring cards into play and that angle has been made even more sweeter after the appointment of German referee Daniel Siebert.
The German official has dished out 116 yellow cards and 2 red cards in just 26 games in 2020/21. His averages rise dramatically on the continent though from 3.55 yellows per game in the Bundesliga to 5.6 in UEFA club competitions.
His overall average sits at 4.6 per game in all competitions.
In the 2020/21 Europa League, the German’s record reads: 10, 4, 6 (1R), 11 – a total of 31 cards resulting in an average of 7.75 yellow cards per game.
Since the beginning of 2019/20, Siebert has given 4+ cards in 9/10 in the UEL and UCL, and 5+ in 6/10.
- He has given Both Teams Over 1 Card in 5/10.
- Gave 4 cards when overseeing Olympiakos earlier this season.
- Dished out each team 1+ card in 20/26 overall and 8/8 UEFA games.
Olympiakos have picked up 12 cards in the last 4 head-to-heads, and both sides have collected 2+ cards in 3 of the last 4 between these pair.
I’m surprised we’re offered 6/5 on Both Teams Over 1 Card at Bet365 all things considered.
In the player markets, Ousseynou Ba is on my radar to be carded in Athens.
The Senegalese was booked in both match ups against Arsenal last season and was carded against Wolves in the subsequent round too, making it 3 cards in his last 4 matches against Premier League sides in the Europa League.
He was also booked in his side’s previous round when they defeated PSV Eindhoven. He made three fouls across those two legs.
Arsenal’s opponents have picked up 64 yellow cards across the Premier League and Europa League, with 19 of these being brandished to centre-halves.
Ba is only 4/5 at BetVictor to go into Siebert’s book.
Best Bets
Arsenal vs Olympiacos – Both Teams Over 1 Card (6/5 Bet365)
Arsenal vs Olympiacos – Ousseynou Ba to be shown a card (2/1 Bet365)
