Real Sociedad v Benfica: Ref Taylor makes cards appeal in 6/1 Bet Builder

• Ref Taylor good for cards in Europe

• Zubeldia carded in 7 of 15 games this season

• Munoz has had a shot in 5 of his last 6

Real Sociedad v Benfica
Wednesday 8 November, 17:45
Live on TNT Sports 4

The appointment of Anthony Taylor in the UEFA competitions always sets off my betting klaxon - and it's straight over to the card markets.

Leg 1: Over 4.5 cards

The English Premier League official historically has a much higher card count on the continent than he does at home and Taylor has now shown 5+ cards in 26 of his last 40 UEFA club appointments.

Real Sociedad, who top Group D at the halfway stage, are the sixth-best team for cards in La Liga this season, while only three teams had produced more fouls prior to matchday four.

Benfica, meanwhile, are the second most-fouled team in the Champions League thus far and so while I'm happy to kick-off our Bet Builder with over 4.5 cards in the match, I'm also keen to get the hosts onside in some way.

Leg 2: Igor Zubeldia to be shown a card

The way I'll do it is by backing Igor Zubeldia for a card.

The centre-back has already picked up seven in his 15 appearances this season and here he's likely going to have to deal with Rafa Silva, the most-fouled player in Portugal's Primera Liga.

The English refs rarely let the multiple fouls build up without taking action so this battle could well produce another card for Zubeldia who can be backed at 21/103.10.

Leg 3: Aihen Munoz 1+ shot

To complete the Bet Builder, I'll turn to the shots markets and, as is often the case, the value looks to lie with the full-backs.

The one I'm most keen on is Real's Aihen Munoz.

The left-back has managed a shot in five of his last six games, a run which included the reverse fixture, which was won 1-0, and another Champions League match in Salzburg. He didn't start the Inter Milan game on matchday one.

Munoz likes to try his luck from outside the box and with Real odds-on favourites - they top the group with seven points with Benfica are bottom with none and are yet to score a goal - it's not hard to see him getting into familiar positions in this contest.

The 26-year-old also takes the odd set-piece too, so we'll back him to create a near-6/17.00 treble.

For those seeking a bigger price, consider adding Benfica's Fredrik Aursnes, who is odds-against for 1+ shot despite having landed the bet in his last eight games.

Benfica's lack of creativity in this competition is the concern though, while he's also a utility player who gets moved around a lot, position-wise.

I'd expect him to start at left wing-back here but it's difficult to be sure. I'll therefore stick with the treble.

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