Bet of the Day

Tuesday Football Tips: Foul play at work in Bernabeu

  • Andy Schooler
  • Published on
  • Updated on
  • 2:00 min read
Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid
Dani Carvajal: Set to go up against Jack Grealish

Our football props column is delving into the fouls market for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Manchester City.

  • Walker set for Vini Jr battle

  • Grealish to test Carvajal

  • Fouls Bet Builder double pays over 5/2


Goal-glut repeat?

The Champions League semi-finals rarely disappoint and we've got a game to set the mouth watering on Tuesday night.

Anyone who witnessed last season's first leg in the last four will be hoping for something similar - City won 4-3 at the Etihad on that occasion in a chaotic, 27-shot game which neither side was able to control for any length of time.

City attacked with huge purpose that night and should have won by more; the fact they didn't proved crucial in the tie's outcome, Real famously scoring two late goals to force the second leg to extra time in which they pushed on to victory.

With Erling Haaland added to this season's mix, it would be easy to expect another goal glut but I suspect neither manager will want a repeat.

For all that City could have established a tie-winning lead, the fact is they failed to do so with Real able to inflict damage on their defence. Pep Guardiola isn't someone who doesn't heed warnings.

Carlo Ancelotti will also be far from keen for such an open game. He'll know his side were lucky to escape that night with only a one-goal deficit.

I'm certainly tempted by the under 2.5 goals bet which is offered at odds-against - a repeat of the goalless 2016 semi-final first leg is unlikely but wouldn't totally surprise.

However, exactly how this will unfold does look hard to call so for a more confident pick, I'm turning to the fouls markets.

This game looks set to feature two of the most fouled players in Europe in Vinicius Junior - the man who claims top spot in that list - and Jack Grealish.

Their likely respective opponents - Kyle Walker and Dani Carvajal - both look in for tough nights and backing each for 2+ fouls produces a Bet Builder of just over 5/2. That looks worth a try.

Walker isn't a top fouler but he's landed this in two of his last four Premier League starts and notably did so against Ismaila Sarr at the World Cup when the Senegalese was drawing fouls aplenty in that tournament.

Good ref for fouls

Meanwhile, Carvajal has committed 2+ fouls in four of his last six La Liga starts.

The referee should help on this front, too. Portugal's Artur Soares Dias has averaged 25 fouls per game in this season's Champions League; the competition's average is 21.63.

The fouls double can be used in Betfair's bet-and-get offer on this game - simply place a £5 Bet Builder on Real v City to get a free £5 Bet Builder. Don't forget to opt in though!

Back Walker & Carvajal 2+ fouls each @

3.61

Read Paul Higham's in-depth preview of Real Madrid v Man City

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Column P/L 2022/23

Staked: 294pts
Returned: 342.06pts
P/L: +48.66pts

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Andy Schooler avatar

Andy Schooler

Andy Schooler has been writing about sport for more than 20 years.

Prices quoted in copy are correct at time of publication but liable to change.

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