Burnley v Manchester City: Back 17/1 card bet as clampdown starts

• First game for new PL clampdown

• Kovacic & Brownhill have strong card records

• Back 17/1 card-double Bet Builder

• Read Betfair's new 90 Minute Payout offer here

• Claim your free acca here!

Burnley v Manchester City
Friday 11 August, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports Premier League/Main Event and Sky Showcase

The card markets have delivered for this column in each of the past two days and we're sticking with those for Friday night's Premier League opener.

There's a change of angle though with this game looking a good one in which to try a real punt.

Much has been made of the clampdown being made by referees in terms of time-wasting and bad behaviour this season.

Last weekend's Community Shield brought two first-half cards for kicking the ball away, while Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was booked for waving an imaginary card - expect players to go the same way in the coming weeks.

A televised season-opener provides a perfect opportunity for referee Craig Pawson to lay down the law, not just to these players but all the others watching at home ahead of the opening weekend.

If the clampdown is to work, it needs enforcing from day one so I'm expecting cards here, despite the fact City were one of the best-behaved sides last season.

Even without the new rulings, it's worth noting Pawson was an above-average carder last season.

Leg 1: Mateo Kovacic to be shown a card

If several are going into the book, then there's certainly a chance of a big-priced Bet Builder landing in the player-card market.

I'm going to take one from each side, starting with City's Mateo Kovacic.

The Croatian was carded in eight of his 17 Premier League starts for Chelsea last season. Throw in the clampdown and it's fair to say I'm surprised to see him available at 4/15.00 here.

Indeed, the market doesn't really look to have been affected hugely by the new rules (expect that to change as the weeks go by).

Leg 2: Josh Brownhill to be shown a card

For Burnley, I'm going to take Josh Brownhill at 11/43.75.

He's set to start in the midfield 'engine room' from where he committed more fouls than any of his team-mates in last season's Championship.

That resulted in nine cards, adding to the 10 he received when Burnley were relegated from the top flight in 2021/22.

The double here pays 17/118.00 which, given the circumstances, looks worth a try - maybe using your free bet!

Alternatives to consider in this market include Rodri 3/14.00, who was very fortunate not to be booked in the Community Shield, and Burnley right-back Connor Roberts 16/54.20, set to be up against Jack Grealish, who was the second-most fouled player in the division last season.

Burnley v Man City: Read Paul Higham's in-depth preview!