Tuesday’s World Cup Top Tips: Semi-Final Cards Bet Looks A Keeper

There can be very few football fans who would want to deny Lionel Messi a fairytale ending to a magical career, but that's the task at hand for Croatia in tonight's World Cup semi-final.

The Croats have been here before however. Four years ago they ended England's dream of World Cup glory at this stage to reach their first final and the core of that squad are just one win away from repeating that feat.

As highlighted on yesterday's thread the Croations haven't won a knock-out match inside 90 minutes since 1998. Of their last five KO matches, four have been won on penalties, the other victory was secured in extra-time  – against England. A penalty shoot-out win for the Europeans pays 9/1. For Argentina to win on spot-kicks it's also 9/1, despite them being significantly shorter on the outright market.

Cards will be popular among punters especially after eight Argentinians picked up a booking in their fiery clash with the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. Significantly these cards won't carry over in to the semi-final which means that none of the offenders run the risk of missing the final and effectively start with a clean slate.

Even money was on offer for Over 3.5 Cards in that Argentina v Netherlands match but the bookies aren't being quite so generous tonight. Bet365 have pushed the line out to Over 4.5 at just 5/6. A bigger ask for a short price.

For the same price you can back both teams to pick up two or more cards, which can be boosted to over evens at Bet365. With so much at stake this has to be a runner.

Goalkeepers are always worth a look for a card in games of this magnitude since they might incur the wrath of the referee as they seek to run down the clock. Dominik Livaković has been the Croatian hero so far and he's 10/1 to pick up a card. At the other end of the pitch Emiliano Martínez (Damien at bet365) is 12/1 to go in to the book. The Aston Villa keeper picked up two yellows in his last two Premier League matches before the break.

Only six goals have been scored inside the first half hour of the 12 knock-out ties so far, and three of those came in Brazil's 4-1 win over South Korea so it could pay to back no goal before 34:00 at 5/6 with Bet365 which has been a profitably pick throughout the tournament.

Super Singles

• Two or more cards for each team 1/1 Bet365 (with Winnings Boost)
• No goal before 34:00 5/6 Bet365
• Emiliano Martínez to be booked 12/1 Bet365

Upcoming Match Previews & Tip

• Football Bet of the Day: Another Dorking match to deliver more goals
• Tue 19:00 Argentina vs Croatia
• Wed 19:00 France vs Morocco

Racing Tips

Cairnzy steps in to Rizzel's shoes with two tips for Tuesday.

• Racing Tips: Intricacy can take step forward from debut

As always, let us know your best betting tips and predictions for today in the comments section below and good luck with all your bets!

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