West Ham v Bristol City: Keep it clean in the FA Cup

• Ref Scott under 2.5 cards in eight of last 10 FA Cup ties

• Both teams good track record for discipline

• Back 16/117.00 and 6/42.50 shots

• Read about Betfair's new 90 Minute Payout offer here

West Ham v Bristol City
Sunday 7 January, 14:00
Live on Betfair Live Video

I explained in yesterday's column my theory about going low on cards in the FA Cup - essentially the competition has a considerably lower card count than the Premier League and EFL.

In this game we've got some good-looking ingredients for a low-card - or even a no-card - match.

Most important for me in these bets is the referee and in Graham Scott we've got someone renowned for his leniency.

Scott isn't a Premier League regular at the moment (for the record, he's only shown four cards in his two games) but he has been in past.

In both 2022/23 and 2018/19 he was the lowest-carding official, while in both 2019/20 and 2021/22 he was well below average.

Admittedly his figures have been on the rise in his Championship games this season but I'm happy to put more weight on his FA Cup record which is very good for low-card punters.

Bet 1: Both teams under 0.5 cards

He very much fits the theory of keeping the book in the pocket in such matches with eight of his last 10 in the competition going under 2.5 cards. One saw no cards at all.

As for the teams, West Ham are in the middle of a congested Premier League fair play table but that arguably bucks a trend with the Hammers having the best disciplinary record last season and the second-best in both the 2021/22 and 2020/21 campaigns.

Ten of their last 13 FA Cup ties have landed the under 2.5 cards bet.

Visitors Bristol City fit the bill perfectly - no side has received fewer cards in this season's Championship.

I'm therefore happy to take a similar approach to yesterday and back no cards - you can get 16/117.00 by selecting both teams under 0.5 cards via the Bet Builder tool.

Bet 2: Under 2.5 cards

As a saver, the suggestion is to back under 2.5 cards which - with half the stake on each - will ensure another profit for the day, if it lands.

More FA Cup tips: Eight bets for Sunday's third-round ties!