WE'RE getting down to the nitty gritty at Euro 2024 with most of the big guns still standing as the quarter-finals begin.
With the stakes so high so there should be some flying challenges across the four games so punters can find some value dipping into the card betting markets.
Why the Euro 2024 cards betting market is worth exploring?
When a game is tight and tense you usually see a lot of cards being dished out. That was evident in the last 16 of Euro 2024 as most bookings came in ties that went right to the wire.
Nine yellows were dished out in England's dramatic victory over Slovakia, with a further five in France's narrow win over Belgium and four in Turkey's triumph over Austria.
The other matches were more one-sided and the refs had an easier time, although Italy's Gianluca Mancini did pick up his customary card as I predicted. But in the quarter-finals pretty much every match should be close and that bodes well for more cards with the stakes so high.
Which Euro 2024 games could be of interest here?
Portugal vs France
Despite boasting probably the most impressive attacks of any sides at Euro 2024, both France and Portugal have been struggling for goals.
It took penalties for the Portuguese to get past Slovenia while Les Bleus needed an own-goal to sink Belgium so this could be a tight and tetchy affair.
Both sides possess pace to hit on the counter attack and that could lead to some tactical fouls too. Backing over 47.5 booking points pays evens at Betfred and that could be worth a punt.
The battle for midfield dominance could decide the game and both managers will be looking to win the physical battle.
Portugal's Joao Palhinha appeals at 2/1 to go in the book as he has collected 16 cards this season for Fulham and his country.
Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni should be squaring up to him in this one and is 3/1 to collect his 14th card of the campaign.
Spain vs Germany
Germany will be fired up for their quarter-final as they bid to reach the semi-finals on home soil but face a Spain side who have been breezing through games.
Both teams possess young attackers with great pace and that could lead to some desperate defensive challenges, particularly from full-backs.
Veteran Spanish defender Dani Carjaval was booked in the group stage against Italy and that took his tally for the term to 11 yellows and one red. He's 11/5 to go into the book again here.
Joshua Kimmich will be tasked with keeping red-hot Nico Williams in check and the German right-back also appeals at 3/1 to be carded.
If you want to bet on booking points, over 42.5 pays a decent evens with Betfred.
England v Switzerland
Switzerland were hugely impressive as they eased past Italy in the last 16 but the same couldn't be said of England who needed a stoppage-time leveller from Jude Belligham to save their skins against Slovakia.
The Three Lions are playing poorly but somehow find a way to get through games and they will need plenty of fighting spirit to get past the Swiss.
Switzerland didn't collect any bookings against the Italians but amassed eight yellows across their three group games. Three of England's seven yellows came in that frantic game with the Slovaks when the pressure was cranked right up.
But I think the Swiss will be more aggressive in their pressing for this game than England so I'm backing them for most booking points at 23/20.
Going for over 42.5 booking points in this one pays a decent 6/5.
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
