Premier League Christmas Cards: Which Players Will Receive Xmas Off?
It's not just postal workers who are delivering cards in the days leading up to Christmas.
Referees up and down the country will be dishing out their version of Christmas cards, which for some players will result in a suspension.
A total of 21 Premier League players are walking a fine disciplinary line, knowing a caution this weekend will result in a few extra days off over the festive period.
Cards markets remain one of the most popular on the best betting sites, and there is more attention on them this weekend than any other round of fixtures.
Eight top-flight fixtures are scheduled to be played on Saturday, one on Sunday and one on Monday night.
These will be the final games before the league resumes on Boxing Day, with Newcastle's trip to Manchester United being the only game scheduled for December 26.
The remaining nine matches will be spread over the next two days, but who is most likely to miss those games?
Five Title Hopefuls On The Naughty List
Of the clubs currently occupying the top-six spots in the Premier League, leaders Arsenal, Chelsea and Crystal Palace have no players on the naughty list.
However, Aston Villa and Manchester City both have a couple of players who need to stay on the right side of the officials this weekend.
Midfielder Bernardo Silva (6/1) and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (10/1) are one booking away from having their Christmas break extended when City host West Ham.
Players From Top-Six Clubs In Danger Of Suspension:
Player | Club | Odds | Probability |
Matty Cash | AVL | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Patrick Dorgu | MUN | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Boubacar Kamara | AVL | 4/1 | 20% |
Bernardo Silva | MCI | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Gianluigi Donnarumma | MCI | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Villa boss Unai Emery will hope defender Matty Cash (2/1) and midfielder Boubacar Kamara (4/1) can be on their best behaviour when they welcome Manchester United to Villa Park.
United defender Patrick Dorgu is just 2/1, and is in danger of missing United's final home game of the year against Eddie Howe's Magpies.
Relegation Scrappers Can't Afford A Suspension
Being in the relegation zone is never a good place to be, let alone at Christmas.
The statistics do not make good reading, with only 41.7% of clubs managing to avoid the dreaded drop having been in the bottom three at Christmas.
The relegation battle adds extra spice to the bookings markets this weekend, with several ever-present starters one mistimed tackle away from an enforced Christmas break.
Players From Bottom-Six Clubs In Danger Of Suspension:
Player | Club | Odds | Probability |
Ethan Ampadu | LEE | 7/4 | 36.4% |
Jayden Bogle | LEE | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Nathan Collins | BRE | 3/1 | 25% |
Neco Williams | NFO | 3/1 | 25% |
Andre | WOL | 3/1 | 25% |
Morato | NFO | 4/1 | 20% |
Matt Doherty | WOL | 4/1 | 20% |
Leeds look especially vulnerable, as both Ethan Ampadu (7/4) and Jayden Bogle (2/1) are in danger — hardly ideal given Ampadu’s combative midfield role and Bogle’s tendency to make sloppy recovery challenges.
With Daniel Farke's side likely to be under sustained pressure, the pair will be firmly on the referee's radar.
Nottingham Forest and Wolves are in similarly precarious positions. Forest’s Neco Williams (3/1) and Morato (4/1) are both one booking away from suspension, and with Sean Dyche's team often defending deep, neither can afford a lapse in discipline.
A weary Wolves team must also keep their cool, with Andre (3/1) and Matt Doherty (4/1) walking the tightrope - Andre in the engine room where fouls rack up quickly, and Doherty known for making tactical challenges that are often punished.
Elsewhere, Brentford's Nathan Collins is priced at 3/1 with most betting apps, but it’s the teams in the bottom three that will have the most to worry about at the busiest time of the season.
Bruno And Granit Close To Bans
Two players, who are no strangers to officials, top the list of players most likely to be cautioned this weekend.
Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (5/6) and Sunderland's captain Granit Xhaka (6/5) went head-to-head last weekend in the Wear-Tyne derby.
While the Swiss was on his best behaviour, the Magpies midfielder had his name taken by referee Peter Bankes.
Both are very likely to be booked this weekend which would give them a few extra days off over Christmas.
The Rest At Risk:
Player | Club | Odds | Probability |
Bruno Guimaraes | Newcastle | 5/6 | 54.5% |
Granit Xhaka | Sunderland | 6/5 | 45.5% |
Pedro Porro | Tottenham | 7/5 | 41.7% |
Dominik Szoboszlai | Liverpool | 6/4 | 40% |
Ferdi Kadioglu | Brighton | 2/1 | 33.3% |
James Garner | Everton | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Mats Wieffer | Brighton | 3/1 | 25% |
Alex Jimenez | Bournemouth | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Antoine Semenyo | Bournemouth | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Bournemouth and Brighton have the most at stake in terms of possible suspensions.
For the Seagulls, Ferdi Kadioglu (2/1) is the most likely to get an extended break over Christmas.
His team-mate Mats Wieffer (3/1) is also one card away from a suspension, so he too will have to be careful against Sunderland.
Cherries pair Alex Jimenez (5/1) and Antoine Semenyo (6/1) will be hoping to stay on the good side of referee Chris Kavanagh, who will be in charge of their home game with Burnley.
How many of the 21 players mentioned in this article can stay on the right side of the officials?
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
Who do you think will pick up a booking this weekend and miss their club's festive fixtures? Let us know in the comments below!
