SlipsTips shares a Bet Builder ahead of Portsmouth's clash with Leicester in the English Championship on Saturday lunchtime.
Portsmouth vs Leicester, Saturday (12:30)
Portsmouth and Leicester face off in a crunch clash at the foot of the English Championship at Fratton Park on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts will be looking to pull further clear of the relegation zone after claiming eye-catching victories over both Middlesbrough and Ipswich over the past seven days.
As for Leicester, their relegation fears have intensified after slumping to a 1-0 home defeat to Swansea last weekend.
Marlon Pack To Commit 1+ Foul
For the first half of what will be a no-frills, player-based double, I'm backing Portsmouth's Marlon Pack to commit at least one foul. The experienced midfielder has been a familiar figure on EFL referees' radars for a number of seasons now, and this campaign has been no different. In fact, Pack is averaging 1.30 fouls per game in the English Championship this season. Notably, that figure has been climbing in recent months, with Pack being penalised at least once in six of his last seven outings, while committing two or more fouls in four of those contests.
The seasoned Pompey midfielder's combative streak is further underlined by the fact he has already collected nine yellow cards in 32 Championship appearances this term, three of which have been flashed in his direction across his last four outings.
Oliver Skipp To Commit 1+ Foul
My second selection ties in nicely with the first, as I'm staying in the midfield battleground by backing Oliver Skipp to also commit at least one foul.
Like the aforementioned Pack, Skipp looks certain to be a central figure in what promises to be a gritty contest in the middle of the park. The numbers back that up, with the Foxes midfielder averaging 1.23 fouls per 90 in the English Championship this term.
However, that doesn't paint the full picture. A deeper look at Skipp's foul stats this season shows he has overstepped the mark in 14 of his 16 appearances away from the King Power, conceding multiple free-kicks in six of those fixtures.
Throw in the fact that both Pack and Skipp are drawing averages of around one foul per game in the Championship this season, and that only strengthens the case for backing both players to fall foul of the referee, especially with the pair likely to be locked in a direct duel on Saturday afternoon.
Combined, the two selections come in at 4/5 with bet365, and that looks like good value. If you fancy a bigger swing at a long shot, the Pack and Skipp card double pays a best-priced 12/1 with William Hill.
Recommended Bet
- Marlon Pack To Commit 1+ Foul
- Oliver Skipp To Commit 1+ Foul
- Bet Builder – 4/5 (bet365)
Longshot
- Marlon Pack & Oliver Skipp To Be Carded – 12/1 (William Hill)
Grant Heaney, aka SlipsTips, is a Freelance Football and Darts Writer with over six years experience. Grant has written football and darts betting content for some of the biggest betting websites and newspapers in the UK. He is a Falkirk season ticket holder and avid watcher of football and darts, whether it be UK-based or further afield. You can find all of his tips on X @SlipsTips
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