The Merseyside derby is one of the dirtiest fixtures in Premier League history.
In fact when it comes to red cards no other fixtures can touch it – 21 red cards in the 54 Premier League meetings between the clubs.
When it comes to yellows only Chelsea v Manchester United tops the Mersey derby. The battle of the Londoners and the Old Trafford giants has seen a staggering 261 yellow cards brandished, compared to the derby match’s 233 yellow card count.
Which is why thepools.com makes Over 4.5 cards at Anfield an odds on call at 3/4 .
But the better bet is surely on the double your money Under 4.5 cards call at Evens .
That “dirty” fixture tag came in the first two decades of the Premier League. Only one player has been dismissed in the last 17 league and cup clashes between the old rivals - Ramiro Funes Mori at Anfield in 2016.
And even that transgression was as a result of isolated rashness from the Argentine rather than part of all-out warfare – with just two other yellow cards in that match.
In fact the last five seasons of derby matches have seen a gradual improvement in discipline.
In the 11 fixtures between the two sides (one FA Cup tie), only three have strayed over the 4.5 cards mark.
Clearly the identity of the referee is crucial in any cards punt.
And Mike Dean has averaged 4.9 cards per game this season.
But Tranmere’s highest profile fan is famously taking charge of only his second Merseyside derby and will surely want to steer clear of controversy.
Four of Everton’s last five fixtures have gone under 4.5 cards, three of Liverpool’s last five have done likewise.
So we’re banking on a double your money Unders count. Bet here if you fancy it.
Of course if you don’t fancy that, Jurgen Klopp boasts an unbeaten record against the Blues in English football and thepools.com offers an appealing 8/1 special that Virgil van Dijk repeats his Liverpool debut heroics of 2018 and scores in another Reds win. You can bet on that here:
