Wednesday's Bet Of The Day: Focus on feisty islanders

JACK Wright's (@JackWright_BSB) brilliant Bet of the Day continues on Wednesday as we head to Portugal.

Maritimo vs Gil Vicente | Wednesday 5^th May 2021, 19:00

It’s back to Portugal and off to Madeira once again for a vital clash towards the foot of the Primeira Liga.

We cashed our Bet of the Day last Thursday as Maritimo picked up most booking points as they sprung a surprise victory over a shell-shocked Braga side, with a resolute, aggressive display against their fourth placed opponents and in doing so made it four wins from their last five matches, which should mean they go in to this one full of confidence.

Opponents Gil Vicente, know they are in a dog fight after three losses and a draw from their last five games leaves them just and are now just three points above the relegation zone – I'm not sure they will have enough fight for their combative hosts.

However, as has been the case for the majority of these bets at the tail end of the season, I have avoided trying to pick a winner and instead focused on cards or booking points – this selection is no different.

The Verde-Rubros rank fifth in the Portuguese top flight for fouls conceded per game with a match average of 16.4 and have collected the second highest number cards, 85 yellow and three reds from their 30 games so far.

Julio Velázquez’s side have picked up more booking points than their visitors in 60% of their home games so far, in seven of their last ten and in all of their last six matches at Estádio do Marítimo.

In contrast the Roosters have been cautioned 59 times this term with four dismissals, the fourth lowest total in the League – on their travels they have picked up more booking points than their hosts in just 27% of games, in only two of their last ten and one of their last five road trips.

Referee Rui Manuel Gomes Costa is one of the more lenient officials with only three colleagues below him for cards shown per game – although his 78 yellows and five reds is healthier enough to land this bet today.

Having watched Maritimo last week, a repeat of the desire shown, which is expected as a win would pretty guarantee safety and lift them as high as ninth, would see them transgress enough to be a confident selection to once again pick up more booking points – best odds of 10/11 are with William Hill.