This game could be a real scrap between two workmen like sides that have both benefited from a change of manager this campaign. Everton have collected 58 yellow cards across their 28 Premier League games this season (2.07 per game) whilst West Ham have collected 57 yellow cards across the same number of games (2.03 per game).

Statistically, these metrics should line up to produce 4+ match cards here, but the approach of both sides also promises cards. This game is likely to be played mainly between the boxes with little goalmouth action for either side. Potter has set up his West Ham side to be tough to beat and has achieved this by packing the central areas, something that is also evident in Everton’s approach to games. 

These match-ups in the middle of the park in particular are likely to produce cards as the two robust midfield setups go head to head. The referee for this game is Darren Bond who is averaging 4.07 cards per game in the Premier League this season.

The initial meeting between these sides earlier in the campaign saw BTTS in a 2-1 Brighton win, after Fabian Hurzeler’s side rallied late on to respond to an early Erling Haaland goal. Brighton enter this game in brilliant form having won each of their last five games across all competitions, scoring 2+ goals in each of these fixtures.

Man City have only kept one clean sheet across their last five games in all competitions. Consistency at the back is still tough to come by for Pep Guardiola’s side as he looks to be setting up his team for next season.

The Premier League champions made a host of January signings who are slowly adapting to the Premier League, but City must qualify for the Champions League for monetary and recruitment purposes, so every league game is crucial.

BTTS has landed in four of the last five head to head meetings between these sides, suggesting that goals are quite common in this fixture looking across recent history.

The initial meeting between these sides saw five yellow cards in quite a feisty affair. Wolves are still not fully out of the relegation picture, Vitor Pereira’s are six points clear of the drop zone but can take a massive step to making that gap look insurmountable with three points here, especially given that 18th-placed Ipswich have an awkward test against Nottingham Forest at home.

These sides rank highly in the Premier League when it comes to cautions, Southampton have been shown 75 yellow cards this season (2nd) whilst Wolves have picked up 59 cautions (8th). Southampton don’t have much to fight for, but their card ranking this season would indicate that frustration is still rife in the Saints camp.

The first meeting also produced 26 fouls, suggesting that the referee will have a busy 90 minutes here. The man in the middle for this game is Robert Jones who is averaging 4.63 cards per game across his 16 appointments in the Premier League.

Bournemouth’s form has been patchy of late but they have a good opportunity to bounce back here against a Brentford side that haven’t travelled well this season. Thomas Frank’s side rank 15th for their away form in the Premier League this season with just four wins from their 13 assignments, conceding 17 goals in the process.

Bournemouth have seen off Tottenham, Arsenal and Man City at home this campaign, with their high pressing style combining well with the tight pitch at the Vitality.

Brentford have managed to win their last two away games which has improved their away record slightly, but the Bees are still vulnerable when away from West London, which is a platform that Bournemouth can use to get back to winning ways.