THERE'S no margin for error as the knockout stages begin at Euro 2024 and the cards could start to fly with so much at stake.
Two of the games we picked out to be fiery in the last round of group games lived up to the billing, with eight yellows in Italy's draw with Croatia and a further six flashed in Hungary's dramatic win over Scotland.
That was because it was do or die in those matches and tempers could be frayed again in the last 16 ties with one team going through and the other heading home early.
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.
Surprisingly, we had to wait until the very last game of the group stage to see more red cards as two Czechs were sent packing in a stormy clash with Turkey. But the referees were still pretty busy in the other games and flashed plenty of yellow cards. You can usually get good prices backing over 4.5 cards in most games, although sometimes you need to pick over 5.5 cards to get above evens.
But backing individual players to go into the book always gives you much bigger prices, with only the dirtiest players in football usually below evens, while those not renowned for putting the boot in can sometimes be as big as 8/1 or 9/1.
Which Euro 2024 games could be of interest here?
Austria vs Turkey
Austria have emerged as dark horses for Euro 2024 glory after defying the odds to top Group D ahead of big guns France and the Netherlands.
Ralf Rangnick's high-energy pressing game is great to watch but it has also led to lots of cards, with his players collecting 10 yellows across the three games. They've also conceded more fouls, 49, than any other team at the finals.
Discipline has been a problem for the Turks as well, with Vincezo Montella's men amassing 16 bookings, the most of any side so far. However, 11 of those yellows did come in that crazy final game with the Czechs.
The stats suggest going for a high number of booking points will pay off here while backing a red card might also be another smart move.
The fiercest battles should be in midfield so Austria's Konrad Laimer and Turkey's Hakan Calhanoglu look good candidates to go in the book.
Spain vs Georgia
Georgia have upset the odds on their first outing at a major finals and the minnows booked their place in the last 16 with a shock 2-0 victory over Portugal.
They frustrated a star-studded side with an organised defence and carried a threat on the break, a blueprint that could cause Spain a few problems as well.
But Luis de la Fuente's men were one of the most impressive sides in the group stage and showed they could mix things up.
Spain have collected five cards so far and I was surprised to learn only Austria committed more fouls than them in the group stage. Georgia will run themselves into the ground again and we could see a lot of cards as they bid to knock the Spaniards out of their stride.
Giorgi Kochorashvili's all-action style in midfield makes him a good candidate for a card while veteran Spain full-back Dani Carvajal will be up against dangerman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and could also go in the book.
Switzerland vs Italy
Reigning European champions Italy have yet to hit their stride and only secured second spot in Group B thanks to a last-gasp leveller in their final game against Croatia.
That match was fiery, with eight yellows dished out, but six of those yellows went to the Croatians. The Azzurri still managed to collect seven group stage bookings though while Switzerland picked up eight across their three games.
This has the makings of a tight game and the cards could fly if a few early challenges go in to test the referee's patience. Backing a high number of booking points could pay off here.
With Riccardo Calafiori banned for Italy, Roma stopper Gianluca Mancini could start and he's always good value for a card. Swiss midfielder Remo Frueler is another good option in the card markets having amassed 11 yellows 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.
