Liverpool vs Everton
Abdoulaye Doucoure has somewhat gone through a pretty impressive transition into a new role for this season with being played in a more attacking position. This switch has seen him smash 3 goals already so far.
One thing has remained in his game however, is committing fouls. He is number 1 for fouls committed (1.73 P/90) in Everton’s ranks and plays nearly every minute for the Toffees.
Due to Everton’s formation set up, they can leave quite a bit of work for the front 2 to do because they have so many behind the ball.
Doucoure will operate in a space where he could end up tussling with the likes of Mac Allister (draws 1.47 fouls P/90), Gravenberch (draws 2.50 P/90), Szobozlai (draws 1.63 P/90) and Endo (draws 2.50 P/90)
Dourcoure is one 1 yellow card so far, and with Liverpool expected to keep a majority of the ball in this game, he’ll need to work tirelessly to disrupt their flow, which should mean fouls and then cards.
Alexis Mac Allister is already a firm fixture in the Liverpool team since his arrival from Brighton in the summer.
A midfield who can play in a variety of roles, Mac Allister has found himself as an important player to Liverpool in terms of ball retention, possession play, creativity and a tough tackler. Mac Allister certainly bring a lot of aggression thats for sure
Mac Allister is committing an incredible 2.35 fouls P/90 and has found himself booked 3 times and seen red once. Temperament seems to be an issue.
This game should see a lot happening in the middle of the park against an Everton team boasting some very powerful players such as Onana, Doucoure and Garner all tasked with stopping any Liverpool advances.
This will be his very first taste of the Merseyside derby, so all the right ingredients for a hot headed player.
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Conor Gallagher is now starting to be a regular fixture in this Chelsea midfield which has been largely unsettled in recent times.
A highly energetic and tenacious box-to-box midfielder, Gallagher covers quite a lot of ground in games. Being all over the pitch means being involved in a lot of happens during the match, including offences being committed.
Gallagher is actually very consistent for committing fouls. This season so far, he is actually fouling more on average than any other time in his career (2.13 fouls P/90) and tops this stat for Chelsea.
Gallagher has been in the double figures for yellow cards in his last 3 seasons (11,10,11), and although he is only on 1 yellow so far this season this game will surely bring out the best and worst of his game.
I can see this being a fiery game and Gallagher will surely be amongst it.
Gabriel Jesus has been a hit since he moved to the Emirates. His flair, skills, trickery, jinky runs, goals and love for the game just shines every time he dons that Arsenal shirt.
There is no doubt that Jesus is a hugely talented player. There is also no doubt that he is a little reckless too.
Jesus is the 3rd highest in the PL for fouls committed at an astonishing 3.33 P/90. The highest rate of his career to date.
He’s now picked up 2 cards in only 3.3 games (which is 0.61 cards per game and well over the league average). At this rate, Jesus will far surpass last season’s total of 6 cards. Only once has he ever reached double figures in cards (11 for Palmeiras) but he is on course to beat that record.
There is a chance he could be deployed CF, LW or RW but either way, his tendancy to defend from the front and reckless ways should see him continue in committing offences with a good chance of being booked.