Thursday Football Tips: Cards on the Spanish menu

“This occurred in the reverse fixture (seven cards in total) while a look at Apezteguia’s games involving these clubs this season also strengthens the case.”

Back each team to have 3+ cards @ 11/4

Real Vallecano v Real Oviedo
Thursday 20 May, 20:30
Live on Betfair Live Video

This game features two of the Spanish second division’s dirtiest teams – and it could pay to take note of that fact.

In terms of yellow cards received in 2020/21, only two clubs have more than Vallecano, whose tally sits at 106 in 39 games, an average of 2.72 per game.

Oviedo come next in the list having been shown only two fewer.

To complete the picture, we have a strict referee in charge.

Iosu Galech Apezteguia has shown 129 yellows in 22 games at an eyewatering average of 5.86. And that’s before we mention the 14 reds he’s also produced.

In short, there appears a good chance of a high card count in this game, especially given Vallecano’s need for points – they are chasing a place in the promotion play-offs.

In terms of a bet, each team to receive three or more cards appeals at 11/4.

This occurred in the reverse fixture (seven cards in total) while a look at Apezteguia’s games involving these clubs this season also strengthens the case.

3+ each team has landed in both such Oviedo matches – Oviedo receiving 12 yellows and a red across the two games.

It also came in for one of the two Vallecano games and in both of those matches the Madrid-based outfit collected the three or more cards they’ll need here.

OK, so there’s not much riding on the contest for the visitors but that’s been the case with them for a while and their most recent games have seen them have card make-ups of 5-4-3-5.

It’s not enough to put me off.