SlipsTips shares a selection ahead of Sunderland's clash with Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.
Sunderland vs Chelsea (Sunday, 14:00)
Sunderland will be looking to put the brakes on their struggling start to the season when they host Chelsea at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Sunday.
Having punched above their weight on their top-flight return last term, Regis Le Bris’ side are now bottom of the table with one point from their last six league games, and Thursday’s 2-0 home loss to Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League deepened the gloom.
That sees Chelsea arrive on Wearside as even-money favourites, but the Blues are still a work in progress, so I’m instead going to focus on an alternative angle in the player foul markets.
Cole Palmer catches the eye, and I’m backing the Chelsea ace to be fouled at least twice during this contest at 4/5 with bet365.
After a difficult campaign last season, Palmer has shown flashes of his old self and has been a reliable source of free kicks, drawing an average of 1.82 fouls per game in the Premier League this term.
Upon closer inspection, Palmer has been brought down 11 times across his last five top-flight outings.
He was fouled four times against Manchester United last time out, and the same was true in Chelsea’s home win over Bournemouth last month.
The Blues forward has also been fouled exactly twice in each of Chelsea’s Premier League away games at Fulham and Brentford earlier this season.
Palmer was often deployed in a number 10 role last weekend and could come under close attention from Sunderland’s combative midfield duo Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki if he is used in the same position again.
Both players average just under one foul per game in the Premier League this season.
Palmer also likes to drift out to the right-hand flank, where he could come up against tough-tackling left-back Reinildo Mandava, who is averaging 1.28 fouls per game in the top flight this season.
All things considered, Palmer looks good value to draw multiple fouls again at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
Recommended Bet
- Cole Palmer To Be Fouled 2+ Times – 4/5 (bet365)
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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