Monday Football Betting: All set for a derby card fest

It might not be the most famous Madrid derby but it's a derby nonetheless and it promises to be a feisty opener to these teams' La Liga campaign.

The fixture's history certainly suggests so.

Last season the corresponding match saw nine yellows and a red shown, while the return game at the Metropolitano produced eight yellows and one red.

Looking longer term, there's a real pattern for dismissals.

In the 10 meetings since Getafe returned to the top flight in 2017, eight of them have seen a red card with 10 sendings off across those matches in total.

With one of last season's highest-carding referees, Jose Maria Martinez Sanchez, in charge, I'm happy to back the 9/5 there's another red card on Monday night. He averaged well over five cards per game in 2021/22.

The chance of a card-laden game is further highlighted by the fact that Getafe were the most-carded team in La Liga last season, with Atletico third in that list.

It therefore makes sound sense to delve into the player card markets too.

To produce a chunky Bet Builder price. I'll take one from each side, namely Domingos Duarte and Stefan Savic.

Duarte is expected to make his Getafe debut at centre-back and he's a physical player who certainly fits the home side's mould.

He was carded in eight of his 21 games for Granada last season and it's notable that he's received three cards in his five appearances against Atletico.

Throw in the likelihood that he'll be striving to impress in his first game and Duarte looks a strong play at 21/10 and gets the nod ahead of Getafe's most-carded players of last season, Damian Suarez and Mauro Arambarri, both of whom look too short in the market.

Savic received more cards than any other Atletico player in 2021/22 - 12 in 28 games - and he's got a record as long as his arm in this fixture.

The Montenegrin has been carded four times in eight outings against Getafe, including three of the last four.

Put the three legs together and you get a price of more than 18/1, one which history would suggest looks too big.

Bet £5, get £5 on Liverpool v Crystal Palace!