Wednesday Football Tips: Xhaka can deliver again

Sometimes it pays to just go with the obvious so step forward Granit Xhaka.

You are probably aware of the Swiss' propensity for a card but that really comes to the fore in games against certain opponents.

Liverpool fall into that category with Xhaka having been carded in seven of his 11 competitive appearances against the Reds.

That record includes a sending off in the Carabao Cup semi-finals earlier this season.

Xhaka has a similar record against Manchester City and in games against the very best it has become clear that the defensive midfielder often finds himself being broken on by quality players.

His get-out clause often involves a foul - and the wrath of the referee.

Admittedly, Wednesday's official could be better but Andre Marriner has been showing plenty more cards this season than last with his current average for yellows at a decent-enough 3.64, just above the league average.

This season, Xhaka has picked up six cards in his 15 Premier League appearances.

In the run-up to this game, he spoke about the finer details being crucial to the outcome which suggests to me he'll be more than happy to break up dangerous attacks by whatever means necessary.

Backing him to be shown a card at 2.588/5 is not a get-rich-quick scheme but is a ploy which will hopefully keep things ticking over.

Click here for Kevin Hatchard's in-depth preview of Arsenal v Liverpool