💎 Gem Bet: Wharton 1+ Foul Committed @ 1.66 (Bet365)

Wharton has committed nine fouls across his 15 Premier League appearances this season (0.80 per 90). He’s seen a recent increase in fouls due to the absences Crystal Palace are having to contend with in midfield which has seen him commit a foul in each of his last four Premier League appearances.

He’s picked up two yellow cards in this recent run which would further suggest that he’s having to get through more defensive work. Crystal Palace will be without Marc Guehi here which is likely to force Jefferson Lerma into a centre back role which naturally should mean Wharton is forced to work harder off the ball.

He’ll be up against Jack Grealish who has been deployed in central areas recently by Pep Guardiola in a tactical switch that benefits our selection here. Grealish is one of the most fouled players in the Premier League, averaging 2.78 fouls won per 90 across his 18 Premier League appearances this season. 

Palace are averaging 10.8 fouls committed per game in the Premier League this season but we are likely to see an increase in this metric here given the absences that Palace are having to contend with, especially in the middle of the park and in the back three. Wharton’s recent flurry of fouls is promising and should see him contest plenty of duels here. 

There is value with this selection when placing with Bet365, the same pick is priced as low as 1.2 with some bookmakers.