Player Card Subscription Selections - 07/01/25
- JN Value Betting
- Jan 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 9
PLAYER CARD SUBSCRIPTION SELECTIONS:
ARSENAL VS NEWCASTLE UNITED - MIKEL MERINO - TO BE CARDED - 4.80 (LIVESCORE BET) - 1% OF YOUR BANKROLL
ARSENAL VS NEWCASTLE UNITED
Two clubs desperate for silverware meet in the first leg of the EFL Cup Semi-Final, both Arsenal and Newcastle are in need of a trophy, and this EFL Cup is something that both clubs will have their eyes on. For Arsenal, it has been five seasons since they tasted success by way of an FA Cup triumph. Meanwhile, it has been almost 70 years since Newcastle have got their hands on a major piece of silverware. Therefore, I can see emotions running high in this one, with both sides putting it all on the line.
One major trend that I have noticed throughout the season is pattern of opposing central midfielders picking up a card against Newcastle, with at least one opposing central midfielder picking up a card against the Magpies in 15 of their 24 matches in all competitions so far this season. A cup competition can bring rotation from clubs and I'm sure there will be some here, owing to the hectic schedule that these sides are facing. However, I'd imagine that Arsenal will remain quite stable following the limits placed on the squad depth through injury and illness in recent weeks. Therefore, I am hoping that Mikel Merino will be rewarded for his recent form and keep his place in the Arsenal midfield. The Spaniard was carded in the league fixture against Newcastle earlier in the season and should be coming in at around 4.00 for a card, in what will be a fixture where the stakes are high, I am happy to take the 4.80 on offer. He is averaging 1.93 fouls per 90 so far this season and with referee Craig Pawson averaging 4.61 cards per game across the last two seasons, I don't feel as if Merino will have to do very much to find his way into Pawson's notebook.