Our football props column focuses on a Champions League qualifier on Wednesday with a penalty decision making appeal in Serbia…
“Particularly notable was (referee) Treimanis’ record in his UEFA-appointed matches (those between teams from two different countries). He took charge of eight such games and awarded a penalty in five.”
Crvena Zvezda v Kairat Almaty
Wednesday 28 July, 19:30
Live on Betfair Live Video
Latvian referee Andris Treimanis loves a penalty and this tie looks nicely set up to produce one.
The Kazakh visitors arrive in Belgrade with a 2-1 lead from last week’s first leg but will know the Stadion Rajko Mitic is a tough place to visit – Red Star, as the hosts are better known in the UK, are unbeaten in their last 14 European qualifiers at the ground, while they’ve also beaten Liverpool and Olympiakos in group-stage matches in recent times.
Treimanis is a strict referee – 12 of his last 14 UEFA club appointments have seen at least four cards. But with no card markets available, it’s the ‘penalty awarded’ one which makes appeal.
Last season Treimanis gave a penalty in 10 of his 24 competitive games.
Particularly notable was his record in his UEFA-appointed matches (those between teams from two different countries). He took charge of eight such games and awarded a penalty in five.
For those who feel that’s a fairly small sample, his record across the last three seasons shows a penalty awarded in 11 of 26 inter-country matches.
6/4 about one in this contest therefore looks fair enough, especially given the hosts’ need to attack.
Kairat conceded 15 fouls in last week’s match, one which featured five yellow cards, while Red Star were awarded a whopping 16 penalties across all competitions last term.
With that in mind, 13/5 about the hosts scoring a penalty might tempt some.
Source: Betfair Champions League
