💎 Gem Bet: McClean 1+ Foul Committed @ 1.72

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James McClean committed 31 fouls across his 39 starts for Wrexham in League One last season. He was a reliable performer for Phil Parkinson in starting 39 of Wrexham’s 46 games in League One last season, with the majority of these appearances coming as a left or left wing back. 

McClean committed at least one foul in 23 of his 39 appearances for Wrexham last season (59%). His average of 0.82 fouls committed per 90 may look a little off putting but this is a pretty solid record for a player that played the volume of games that McClean did last season. As well as his numbers, McClean is no stranger to getting aggressive as the 11 yellow cards he received last season would suggest - no Wrexham player picked up more yellow cards than McClean last term. 

As Will Still is still in the early stages of his tenure, it is unclear as to who McClean will be lining up against but the Saints have multiple options which can test the 36 year old:

Ben Brereton Diaz - 1.61 fouls won p/90 (24/25 PL)
Sam Edozie - 2.62 fouls won p/90 (24/25 Belgian First Division)
Ryan Fraser - 1.61 fouls won p/90 (23/24 Championship)
Tyler Dibling - 2.40 fouls won p/90 (24/25 PL)

Tyler Dibling would be the optimal opponent to draw a foul from McClean but as he is heavily linked with a move to Everton, it’s unlikely that he starts here. However, the other three wingers can all test McClean and he’ll also have to contend with Yukinari Sugawara who is sure to offer support from right back. 

There is real value when backing this selection with Bet365, the exact same pick is priced as low 1.17 with other comparable bookmakers.