Our football props column turns its attention to Sunday’s Basque derby between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad with plenty of card options available…
“A former Sociedad star, Martinez has been carded in five of eight appearances for Athletic in this fixture. Add in his record in a Real shirt and he’s been carded in nine of his last 16 derby games.”
Juan Cuadrado delivered a profit for this props column in Friday’s Turin derby and Inigo Martinez can do the same in Sunday’s Basque version.
The Bilbao centre-back is the prime candidate to be shown a card in this fixture, one which will be fought out between two sides who sit next to each other in the table, both battling to secure European football next season.
A former Sociedad star, Martinez has been carded in five of eight appearances for Athletic in this fixture. Add in his record in a Real shirt and he’s been carded in nine of his last 16 derby games.
In terms of cards this season, the 30-year-old no-nonsense defender has eight in 24 games. Many have come late on – something in-play punters may want to note, especially if Athletic hold a narrow lead heading into the closing stages.
Martinez, who was sent off in the reverse fixture in October, is 15/8 for a card here which looks worth an interest.
It would be nice to couple Martinez up with someone on the opposition side but the odds aren’t screaming value.
Asier Illarramendi is the obvious choice given he’s been booked in 10 of his last 13 appearances in the Basque derby. However, he’s likely to be on the bench and 11/10 is hardly a brilliant price.
Midfielder Mikel Merino – carded in his last three Basque derbies – is at the same odds.
Perhaps those seeking longer odds should add Portu to their Bet Builder.
Set for a recall to the starting XI with Real having a number of injury issues in forward areas, Portu has been carded in two of his four starts in this fixture, although he’s been much less prolific in other games.
The referee is Juan Martinez Munuera and while he’s not up there with the strictest officials in La Liga, he’s still averaging north of 4.5 yellows per game and has also produced five red cards in just nine games.
He was the man in charge of that reverse fixture when he delivered 85 booking points. That followed on from a tally of 65 in his only other Basque derby.
With his strong red card record this season and having sent someone off in both previous derby appointments, perhaps 23/10 for another here should also be considered.
Source: Betfair Spanish La Liga
