After delivering winning selections in each of his last two featured columns, SlipsTips is back to cast his eye over the Bet Builder market ahead of Aston Villa's Boxing Day clash with Liverpool in the Premier League
Aston Villa vs Liverpool (Boxing Day, 17:30)
Two Premier League teams who entered the World Cup break in encouraging form face off on Boxing Day evening, as Aston Villa entertain Liverpool.
Unai Emery enjoyed a dream start to life in the Villa Park hosteat by steering his new charges to a 3-1 victory over Manchester United before earning a 2-1 win at Brighton.
As for sixth-placed Liverpool, they were in a slightly better place ahead of the Premier League pause after bagging back-to-back wins against Tottenham and Southampton.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds will attract plenty of attention from punters here at widely available 4/5 quotes but I’m going to sidestep that and instead opt for the 5/6 (SkyBet) combination of Aston Villa 20+ Booking Points and 30+ Match Booking Points.
Hosts Aston Villa have been one of the most ill-disciplined sides in the Premier League this season so far, having averaged 26.33 Booking Points per–game, a tally only marginally topped by Manchester United.
In fact, Villa have received a minimum of 20+ Booking Points in 11 of their 15 top-flight outings this term, and they won't be adverse to engaging in the dark arts here when aiming to stifle Liverpool’s star-studded attack in front of their own supporters.
As such, I’m prepared to side with at least 20+ Aston Villa Booking Points, but to bump up the price, I’ll also go with this fixture to feature 30+ Match Booking Points overall.
For reasons already discussed, Aston Villa could conceivably cover the 30+ line on their own, however, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Liverpool contribute to the card count given that they have collected a caution in four of their last five top-flight fixtures away from Anfield.
What's more, referee Paul Tierney has been one of the more card-happy operators in the Premier League this season, having averaged 43.33 Booking Points per 90 minutes thus far.
With all this in mind, as well as the fact that the aforementioned Bet Builder would have banked profit from Unai Emery’s opening two Premier League bouts as Aston Villa boss, supporting the same 5/6 (SkyBet) bet Boxing Day stands out in what should be hard-fought festive affair in front of the TV cameras.
Recommended Bet
- 20+ Aston Villa Booking Points
- 30+ Mach Booking Points
- Bet Builder – 5/6 (SkyBet)
Freelance Sports Writer and Betting Analyst with over five years experience. I’ve written football and darts betting content for some of the biggest betting websites and newspapers in the UK. With a strong passion for the fascinating world of Scottish football, I also regularly feature in Nutmeg, the much-loved Scottish football magazine. Falkirk season ticket holder and avid watcher of football and darts, whether it be UK-based or further afield. Feel free to follow me on X @SlipsTips
Hello,
Please what does the betting recommendation mean as: 20+ Aston Villa Booking Points,
30+ Mach Booking Points?
Each booking is worth 10 points. So 20+/30+ just really means 2/3 bookings.