Tuesday Football Tips: Rely on Romeu to deliver again

Chelsea v Southampton
Tuesday 26 October, 19:45

A bet that's been a regular winner down the years has been Oriel Romeu to be carded against Chelsea and punters get another opportunity to back it on Tuesday night.

The tough-tackling Southampton midfielder has often looked like he's had a point to prove against his former club but too often his aggression has not been controlled well enough.

Romeu has subsequently been carded in eight of his 14 appearances against the Blues since leaving them in 2015, including in five of his seven matches back at Stamford Bridge.

Romeu, who has had season card tallies of 7-8-11-13-13 in the last five seasons, is currently eighth in the Premier League list for tackles made and 15th for fouls committed so there's every chance he gives referee Kevin Friend a call or two to make.

Friend is averaging over six cards per game in the Premier League so far this season and although EFL Cup ties usually produce a lower card tally, 13 yellows and one red in his last four such ties gives enough encouragement to suggest there will be a few bookings.

Romeu at 11/5 certainly looks worth considering for a card - if he starts.

Judging the team news is always a nightmare heading into matches like this and Southampton are expected to make a few changes.

Romeu has started one of Saints' two previous Carabao Cup games this season but with Betfair you can always cash-out prior to kick-off and get your money back if he's not in the XI.

One player worth having on-side in the same market as a back-up option is defender Lyanco.

A summer signing from Torino, the Brazilian looks set to start here, just as he did in the last round against Sheffield United.

He was booked on that occasion - his one and only game for Southampton thus far. That added to a strong card record at Torino last season when he was shown a card in nine of 25 appearances.

Overall, he's now seen a card in 10 of his last 19 games, figures which make odds of 3/1 about another against the European champions look big.

Let's take the approach of splitting the daily stake two ways for now, and adding Romeu's half to Lyanco if the Spaniard doesn't start.

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