WE'RE getting down to the nitty gritty in the group stage at Euro 2024 with a place in the knockout stages up for grabs in the final round of fixtures.
All the games we picked out to be fiery in the second round of games saw four cards or more and six were flashed in the derby between Serbia and Slovenia.
With even more at stake in the next few days it could be a busy time for the referees and VAR teams.
Why the Euro 2024 cards betting market is worth exploring?
Euro 2024 got off to an explosive start as Germany routed Scotland 5-1 and the officials played a key role, with VAR recommending a red card for Ryan Porteous' horror tackle on Ilkay Gundogan.
At the time of writing, no other player had been sent off which is quite surprising as we get set to welcome in the final round of matches. That stat should change as passions boil over with so much on the line and I'd expect to see plenty of yellows flashed too.
Referees haven't really been stamping down on dissent as promised but there might be more players roaring in the faces if key decisions go against them in must-win matches.
Which Euro 2024 games could be of interest here?
Scotland vs Hungary
Scotland have the chance to make history against Hungary as a win should be enough to take them into the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time.
The Hungarians have lost both their games so far and need to go all out for a win to have a chance of qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.
That should make this game a cracking watch and we should see plenty of meaty challenges as play races from end to end.
Backing plenty of cards looks a smart option here and Betfred price over 42.5 booking points at 5/6. The odds are better for individual players to go in the book, with Scots skipper Andy Robertson as big as 100/30.
Hungary's Atilla Fiola has five yellows and a red to his name in just 19 appearances this season and looks good value at 11/8 to add to his collection.
Denmark vs Serbia
This is another game where both teams probably need a win to reach the knockout stage and passions could boil over.
Serbia's clash with Slovenia got incredibly bad tempered towards the end and some of their players could lose the plot again here.
Backing Dragan Stojkovic's men to pick up most cards looks like a good option while going for a high booking points tally could pay off again.
Jannik Vestergaard was booked in Denmark's draw with the English and could pick up another card as he faces a physical battle with Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Italy vs Croatia
One of the big boys in Group B looks set for an early exit with Croatia most at threat after picking up just a point from their first two games.
They can still stay alive with a win over Italy in the final game and that would leave the European champions sweating on an early exit as they would have just three points and could finish bottom if Albania shock a Spain side that's already through.
With the stakes so high and players on both sides possessing a fiery temperament, the referee could have a busy night in this one. Total booking points looks another shrewd move here when prices finally land and it could also pay to back a red card.
Mateo Kovavic will be at the heart of the midfield battle and looks the best option for a Croatia card while Italian opposite number Nicolo Barella has collected 10 yellows for Inter in Serie A this season.
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.
