Player Card Subscription Selections - 09/01/25
- JN Value Betting
- Jan 8, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 9, 2025
PLAYER CARD SUBSCRIPTION SELECTIONS:
REAL MADRID VS RCD MALLORCA - JOSE MANUEL COPETE - TO BE CARDED - 4.10 (LIVESCORE BET) - 1% OF YOUR BANKROLL
SHEFFIELD UNITED VS CARDIFF CITY - ALEX ROBERTSON - TO BE CARDED - 4.20 (LIVESCORE BET) - 0.5% OF YOUR BANKROLL
FULHAM VS WATFORD - SASA LUKIC - TO BE CARDED - 4.50 (LIVESCORE BET) - 1% OF YOUR BANKROLL
FULHAM VS WATFORD - RYAN PORTEOUS - TO BE CARDED - 3.80 (LIVESCORE BET) - 1% OF YOUR BANKROLL
REAL MADRID VS RCD MALLORCA
Real Madrid take on Mallorca in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah for the second of the Spanish Super Cup Semi-Finals. A twenty-first appearance for Real Madrid in this competition, and they've been ever-presents since its revamp in 2020. Meanwhile, only a third appearance in the history of this competition for their opponents Mallorca, who won this back in 1998. Madrid will likely be looking to setup a third straight El Clásico Final and will back themselves to beat Mallorca given each sides' recent form.
There is value to be had in the Real Madrid ranks as far as player cards are concerned. However, I couldn't be tempted to dip my toes in due to the likelihood of this becoming a one-sided affair. It's likely that Eduardo Camavinga will only have a space on the bench and therefore, I am not willing to risk taking a punt on him at the prices. Another player who may have to settle for a place amongst the substitutes is Mallorca's Jose Manuel Copete - the centre half played the full 90 minutes on Friday evening where Mallorca were dumped out of the Copa del Rey comprehensively by fourth tier side Pontevedra. He was carded in this match, which only further strengthens his claims here, but I feel it is unlikely that he may start. Due to this selection being refunded should he not start, I am happy to take a punt on the 4.10 on offer. Copete has been carded 13 times across just 2,654 minutes in the last two seasons and should he face off against a tricky Real Madrid side, I would imagine he will make a mockery off the odds.
SHEFFIELD UNITED VS CARDIFF CITY
The FA Cup Third Round gets underway in Sheffield on Thursday night where Sheffield United welcome fellow Championship club Cardiff City. These clubs are enduring very contrasting seasons, with them at opposite ends of the Championship table. This will almost certainly not been either of these sides main focus for this season and could allow for some rotation. However, I'd imagine the Starting XIs should remain similar to what we have seen throughout the Championship season.
One thing to be aware of when betting on cup fixtures is whether the referee is giving a lower rate of cards in cup competitions, on this occasion referee Adam Herczeg has given 10 cards across his two cup matches this season. The value looked to be thin on the ground, however, Cardiff midfielder Alex Robertson is averaging 1.76 fouls per 90 this season and has picked up 15 cards across his 3,550 minutes in the last two seasons. When looking at this deeper, the Aussie was carded three times across just 317 minutes in cup competitions in that time. He should be priced up at around 3.60 for a card here, so am happy to have a small play on the 4.20 on offer.
FULHAM VS WATFORD
Tom Cleverley's Watford travel to West London to face Fulham, who I'm sure will be looking for a cup run given their Premier League mid-table status this season. While the Cottagers do have a chance at making the European places, a run in the cup would suit them more than most currently. Watford's form has tailed off in recent weeks suffering four defeats in their last five matches and will be hoping to get their season back on track here.
There is an outside chance that Sander Berge could make his way back into the Fulham side for this one. However, it is likely that Sasa Lukic will remain in the starting line-up due to an injury to Harrison Reed. Lukic somehow avoided a booking on Sunday in Fulham's draw to Ipswich - committing 5 fouls. The Serbian midfielder has clocked up 17 bookings since the start of last season and against a Watford side who has seen an opposing central midfielder carded in 13 of their last 20 matches. Lukic is averaging 2.58 fouls per 90 this season and I can see him drawing enough attention from referee Matthew Donohue to find his way into his notebook.
Another player who represents great value within the player cards market is Ryan Porteous. The Scotsman has picked up 22 yellow cards across the last two seasons and should be priced up around 3.45, so am happy to play the price of 3.80. Porteous could be reintroduced into the Watford defence on the right of a back three and would imagine he'll have his work cut out against Premier League opposition.