Report: Chelsea know which referee they want for their Premier League matches
Is there really such a thing as the ‘12th man’? Well, with crowds still not allowed back in our beloved stadia - respective of the team that particularly tickles your fancy, of course - BettingOdds.com have conducted a study into that other element that can affect the outcome of a game, the man in black, the referee.
There have been 19 different officials in the Premier League this season. At the moment, West Bromwich Albion are closest to catching them all, having had 18 separate refs in 30 games (for those interested, it’s just David Coote for the Baggies to complete the set).
From Atkinson to Attwell, Madley to Marriner, referees have handed out a whopping 875 yellow cards so far across the campaign, which BettingOdds.com have broken down and dissected to find out the following.
Kevin Friend is just that, a friend, well apparently at least to Chelsea according to these particular findings, to lead the charts in the largest negative difference between the number of cards handed out to a side compared to the opposing team. Chelsea receive on average -2 yellow cards than the team they are facing whenever Friend acts as chief match moderator, based on refs to have presided three or more of their games this season. Meanwhile, Leeds United fans must rue watching referee Chris Kavanagh walk out of the tunnel alongside Marcelo Bielsa’s men, with the Mancunian averaging 2.3 bookings per game for the Whites, compared to just 0.3 for their opposition, for a difference of +2, the greatest margin for a studied side to their matchday adversaries by a ref to have presided three or more of their games this season.
The rest of the results of the study can be found below and have been broken down into the following 7 categories:
- Greatest Difference Between Cards Given to Opposition than to 2020/21 Premier League Side by Individual Referees (based on three or more games officiated this season)
- Greatest Difference Between Cards Given to 2020/21 Premier League Side than to Opposition by Individual Referees (based on three or more games officiated this season)
- Unique Number of Referees Across the 2020/21 Premier League Season
- Most Cumulative Bookings from Referees in Matches Involving 2020/21 Premier League Teams
- Least Amount of Bookings Received Compared to Respective Opposition Across 2020/21 Premier League Season
- Most Amount of Bookings Received Compared to Respective Opposition Across 2020/21 Premier League Season
- Unique Number of Referees Across the 2020/21 Premier League Season
Greatest Difference Between Cards Given to Opposition than to 2020/21 Premier League Side by Individual Referees (based on three or more games officiated this season)
1. = Chelsea Referee: Kevin Friend Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 0 Average bookings for opposition per game: 2 Bookings difference between side and opposition: -2
1. = Everton Referee: Jonathan Moss Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 1 Average bookings for opposition per game: 3 Bookings difference between side and opposition: -2
1. Wolverhampton Wanderers Referee: Mike Dean Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 1 Average bookings for opposition per game: 3 Bookings difference between side and opposition: -2
4. Tottenham Hotspur Referee: Paul Tierney Number of games involving referee and side: 5 Average bookings for side per game: 1.4 Average bookings for opposition per game: 3.2 Bookings difference between side and opposition: -1.8
5. = West Bromwich Albion Referee: Mike Dean Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 0.7 Average bookings for opposition per game: 2.3 Bookings difference between side and opposition: -1.7
5. = West Ham United Referee: Martin Atkinson Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 0 Average bookings for opposition per game: 1.7 Bookings difference between side and opposition: -1.7
7. Manchester City Referee: Anthony Taylor Number of games involving referee and side: 4 Average bookings for side per game: 1 Average bookings for opposition per game: 2.5 Bookings difference between side and opposition: -1.5
8. Chelsea Referee: David Coote Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 0.3 Average bookings for opposition per game: 1.7 Bookings difference between side and opposition: -1.4
9. = Arsenal Referee: Chris Kavanagh Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 1.7 Average bookings for opposition per game: 3 Bookings difference between side and opposition: -1.3
9. = Manchester United Referee: Paul Tierney Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 1.3 Average bookings for opposition per game: 2.7 Bookings difference between side and opposition: -1.3
Greatest Difference Between Cards Given to 2020/21 Premier League Side than to Opposition by Individual Referees (based on three or more games officiated this season)
1. = Leeds United Referee: Chris Kavanagh Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 2.3 Average bookings for opposition per game: 0.3 Bookings difference between side and opposition: +2
1. = Peter Bankes Referee: Sheffield United Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 2.7 Average bookings for opposition per game: 0.7 Bookings difference between side and opposition: +2
3. = Manchester United Referee: Michael Oliver Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 3 Average bookings for opposition per game: 1.3 Bookings difference between side and opposition: +1.7
3. = Leeds United Referee: Kevin Friend Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 2 Average bookings for opposition per game: 0.3 Bookings difference between side and opposition: +1.7
3. = Manchester United Referee: Anthony Taylor Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 2 Average bookings for opposition per game: 0.3 Bookings difference between side and opposition: +1.7
3. = Sheffield United Referee: Mike Dean Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 2.7 Average bookings for opposition per game: 1 Bookings difference between side and opposition: +1.7
7. Fulham Referee: Andre Marriner Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 1.7 Average bookings for opposition per game: 0.3 Bookings difference between side and opposition: +1.4
8. Newcastle United Referee: Peter Bankes Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average bookings for side per game: 2 Average bookings for opposition per game: 0.7 Bookings difference between side and opposition: +1.3
9. = Manchester United Referee: Martin Atkinson Number of games involving referee and side: 4 Average bookings for side per game: 2.5 Average bookings for opposition per game: 1.25 Bookings difference between side and opposition: +1.25
9. = West Ham United Referee: Michael Oliver Number of games involving referee and side: 4 Average bookings for side per game: 2 Average bookings for opposition per game: 0.75 Bookings difference between side and opposition: +1.25
Most Cumulative Bookings from Referees in Matches Involving 2020/21 Premier League Teams
1. Tottenham Hotspur Referee: Paul Tierney Number of games involving referee and side: 5 Average yellow cards per game: 4.6 Total yellow cards: 23
2. Arsenal Referee: Michael Oliver Number of games involving referee and side: 5 Average yellow cards per game: 3.8 Total yellow cards: 19
3. Manchester United Referee: Mike Dean Number of games involving referee and side: 4 Average yellow cards per game: 4.5 Total yellow cards: 18
4. Newcastle United Referee: Stuart Attwell Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average yellow cards per game: 5.7 Total yellow cards: 17
5. = Arsenal Referee: Craig Pawson Number of games involving referee and side: 2 Average yellow cards per game: 8 Total yellow cards: 16
5. = Tottenham Hotspur Referee: Craig Pawson Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average yellow cards per game: 5.3 Total yellow cards: 16
5. = Leicester City Referee: Craig Pawson Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average yellow cards per game: 5.3 Total yellow cards: 16
8. = Leicester City Referee: Anthony Taylor Number of games involving referee and side: 4 Average yellow cards per game: 3.75 Total yellow cards: 15
8. = Wolverhampton Wanderers Referee: Michael Oliver Number of games involving referee and side: 3 Average yellow cards per game: 5 Total yellow cards: 15
8. = Manchester United Referee: Martin Atkinson Number of games involving referee and side: 4 Average yellow cards per game: 3.75 Total yellow cards: 15
Least Amount of Bookings Received Compared to Respective Opposition Across 2020/21 Premier League Season
1. Tottenham Hotspur - Yellow cards received: 40 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 64 Total: 104 Bookings difference between team and opposition: -24
2. = Arsenal - Yellow cards received: 40 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 57 Total: 97 Bookings difference between team and opposition: -17
2. = Manchester City - Yellow cards received: 30 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 47 Total: 77 Bookings difference between team and opposition: -17
4. Liverpool - Yellow cards received: 32 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 42 Total: 74 Bookings difference between team and opposition: -10
5. Southampton - Yellow cards received: 41 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 47 Total: 88 Bookings difference between team and opposition: -6
6. = Aston Villa - Yellow cards received: 47 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 52 Total: 99 Bookings difference between team and opposition: -5
6. = Chelsea - Yellow cards received: 35 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 40 Total: 75 Bookings difference between team and opposition: -5
8. = Everton - Yellow cards received: 46 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 50 Total: 96 Bookings difference between team and opposition: -4
8. = Wolverhampton Wanderers - Yellow cards received: 42 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 46 Total: 88 Bookings difference between team and opposition: -4
10. West Bromwich Albion - Yellow cards received: 39 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 42 Total: 81 Bookings difference between team and opposition: -3
Most Amount of Bookings Received Compared to Respective Opposition Across 2020/21 Premier League Season
1. Sheffield United - Yellow cards received: 55 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 30 Total: 85 Bookings difference between team and opposition: +25
2. = Burnley - Yellow cards received: 39 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 21 Total: 60 Bookings difference between team and opposition: +18
2. = Fulham - Yellow cards received: 54 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 36 Total: 90 Bookings difference between team and opposition: +18
4. Leeds United - Yellow cards received: 45 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 35 Total: 80 Bookings difference between team and opposition: +10
5. = Crystal Palace - Yellow cards received: 39 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 32 Total: 71 Bookings difference between team and opposition: +7
5. = Manchester United - Yellow cards received: 50 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 43 Total: 93 Bookings difference between team and opposition: +7
6. Leicester City - Yellow cards received: 50 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 44 Total: 94 Bookings difference between team and opposition: +6
7. West Ham United - Yellow cards received: 36 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 31 Total: 67 Bookings difference between team and opposition: +5
8. Newcastle United - Yellow cards received: 50 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 46 Total: 96 Bookings difference between team and opposition: +4
9. Brighton & Hove Albion - Yellow cards received: 35 Yellow cards shown to the opposition: 36 Total: 71 Bookings difference between team and opposition: -1
Unique Number of Referees Across the 2020/21 Premier League Season
1. West Bromwich Albion Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 40 Average yellow cards received per individual referee: 2.2 Different referees: 18
2. = Fulham Games: 31 Yellow cards received: 56 Average yellow cards received per individual referee: 3.3 Different referees: 17
2. = West Ham United Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 40 Average received per individual referee: 2.4 Different referees: 17
2. = Brighton & Hove Albion Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 37 Average received per individual referee: 2.2 Different referees: 17
5. = Sheffield United Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 57 Average received per individual referee: 3.6 Different referees: 16
5. = Leicester City Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 52 Average received per individual referee: 3.3 Different referees: 16
5. = Newcastle United Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 53 Average received per individual referee: 3.3 Different referees: 16
5. = Aston Villa Games: 29 Yellow cards received: 48 Average received per individual referee: 3 Different referees: 16
5. = Southampton Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 41 Average received per individual referee: 2.6 Different referees: 16
5. = Wolverhampton Wanderers Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 43 Average received per individual referee: 2.7 Different referees: 16
11. = Burnley Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 39 Average received per individual referee: 2.6 Different referees: 15
11. = Everton Games: 29 Yellow cards received: 48 Average received per individual referee: 3.2 Different referees: 15
11. = Chelsea Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 36 Average received per individual referee: 2.4 Different referees: 15
14. = Leeds United Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 46 Average received per individual referee: 3.3 Different referees: 14
14. = Crystal Palace Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 39 Average received per individual referee: 2.8 Different referees: 14
14. = Arsenal Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 40 Average received per individual referee: 2.9 Different referees: 14
17. = Manchester United Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 52 Average received per individual referee: 4 Different referees: 13
17. = Manchester City Games: 31 Yellow cards received: 33 Average received per individual referee: 2.5 Different referees: 13
17. = Tottenham Hotspur Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 42 Average received per individual referee: 3.2 Different referees: 13
20. Liverpool Games: 30 Yellow cards received: 33 Average received per individual referee: 3 Different referees: 11
