Cross Game Multi Tips: Including a 90/1 Shots on Target treble
I have put Wednesday’s Premier League action under the microscope - hoping to keep the winners coming - and found some tantalising selections courtesy of the player cards and shots on target markets.
First on the agenda is the clash of the clarets at Turf Moor; Burnley vs Aston Villa. This one pits the league’s most fouled side - featuring the most fouled player - against the most pragmatic team and is overseen by the second most card happy referee. Make of that what you want.
On the south coast, Brighton host Fulham. The hosts secured an eagerly anticipated victory against Leeds in their last EPL fixture yet the drop still looms for the Seagulls who currently lie just five points clear of 18th spot. A rare away win for visitors Fulham - who currently occupy 18th place - would see them close the gap to just two points on their next opponents with a game in hand.
The final tips come via Old Trafford as top of the table Manchester United welcome bottom placed Sheffield United. The hosts - who continued their fine run of form in the FA Cup last weekend - come into this as obvious favourites as they lock horns with a side that they have not been beaten by since 1993! As if Blades boss Chris Wilder was not up against it enough already, he could have as many as nine absentees!
If you are following any of the selections below good luck and please bet responsibly.
Matt Lowton is not quite as cynical as his understudy Phil Bardsley, nor does he have as poor of a disciplinary record, however, I fancy him to have his work cut out marking Jack Grealish tomorrow.
With Ross Barkley back to full fitness, Grealish has returned to the left side of midfield and it is no secret that he is their main man. Therefore, the fact that 43% of Villa’s attacks hail from his flank should surprise no-one. It also is no coincidence that Grealish (4.7) and his beloved Villa (16.1) top the charts for fouls drawn by some distance and this is why I was keen to get a Lowton card on side.
In terms of EPL cards, Lowton is quite inconsistent with his seasonal totals ranging from one to ten! However, over the course of his career he has been booked in 19.9% of his Premier League appearances.
Paul Tierney oversees tomorrow's clash of the clarets and as far as card averages go he is second to only one in the PL this season as he has brandished four yellow cards per game.
The acquisition of Ross Barkley was a stroke of genius from Dean Smith. The Chelsea loanee cut a frustrated figure in the capital but since moving to the Midlands he has been a revelation. No Villans player has a greater shots per game average then Barkley’s 2.8 and 43% have come from outside the box.
Barkley has registered a shot on target from outside the box in 71% of his starts for Villa (excluding the game he came off injured within the first five minutes) so given the implied probability of Betfair’s price is a mere 33%, I think this price represents great value. It is also worth noting the same bet is priced at just 11/8 with Sky Bet.
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa has been a standout performer and a pivotal cog in Fulham’s revitalisation in recent months. While his defensive output is clear for all to see, he has also contributed at the other end of the pitch registering three assists, a total only Lookman has managed to equal.
The Cameroon international has averaged 2.9 tackles, 2.1 interceptions and 1.3 fouls per game this season. He has accumulated a total of four cards in 16 Premier League starts, three of which have come in his most recent four domestic appearances.
Ademola Lookman has the second greatest shots per game average for the Cottagers this campaign (2.4). He has registered a total of 36 shots in the EPL, 14 of which have come from deep as he has had an attempt from range in 83% of his starts!
At 7/2 the implied probability given by the bookies is 22% which is perfectly apt given this bet has landed in 23% of his PL starts this campaign.
This season, Oliver Norwood has picked up four cards in ten starts for the Blades in all competitions.
Norwood’s most recent PL appearance vs Spurs was a game to forget. He was at fault for two of their three goals, picked up a booking and was hooked with 25 minutes to play. Following such a dire performance, Chris Wilder would usually drop a player but with such a shortage in the engine room his hand may be forced here.
Therefore, Norwood looks set to be thrust back into the thick of it at Old Trafford where he looks set to add to his tally as he will be opposing the likes of Rashford, Fernandes and Pogba.
Chris Wilder spoke very highly of his big-money import since he has arrived in South Yorkshire and everyone in S2 is willing him on for his first goal. This, combined with Rhian Brewster’s spirited performance vs Plymouth in the FA Cup should see him stand him in good stead for a start in attack tomorrow.
During his stunted PL game time this season, Brewster has had a total of eleven shots, 64% of which have come from outside the box. He has found the target three times and on every occasion his efforts have come from range!
Infamously, the Blades have been woefully blunt during their tenure in the top flight, averaging just 8.3 shots per game in all competitions this season. However, in their last four fixtures they have hit a total of 69 shots. Given tomorrow’s opponents, you would imagine the ex-Liverpool youngster would have a point to prove at Old Trafford should he get the nod.
