We pick out three card betting angles from Monday's World Cup fixtures.
Brazil vs Japan
Ao Tanaka to be Carded
4/1 with bet365
Ao Tanaka looks one of the standout candidates to go into the referee's notebook given the midfield battle he is likely to face against Brazil. The Japan midfielder has committed 13 fouls across his last nine appearances, including two matches with four fouls, highlighting his willingness to disrupt opposition attacks when required.
His biggest challenge is expected to come against Bruno Guimarães, Brazil's most-fouled player. The Newcastle midfielder has drawn 34 fouls across his last 15 appearances, winning at least two fouls in 10 of those matches, thanks to his ability to shield the ball and invite contact in central areas. Tanaka is also likely to spend time tracking Casemiro, who has won 13 fouls in his last 11 appearances, including two in Brazil's World Cup opener.
With Brazil expected to control possession and Guimarães regularly carrying the ball through midfield, Tanaka should be forced into several defensive interventions. Given his recent foul numbers and the calibre of the opponents he'll be tasked with stopping, Ao Tanaka to be shown a card appeals as a strong betting angle.
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Germany vs ParaguaySee All Odds
Andrés Cubas to be Carded
47/20 with 10Bet
Andrés Cubas looks a strong candidate to enter the referee’s book in a high-intensity midfield battle against Germany. The Paraguay midfielder has already committed 11 fouls at this World Cup, the most of any player in the tournament so far, underlining just how aggressively he operates when breaking up play.
His task in this fixture only increases the likelihood of disciplinary trouble. Cubas is expected to operate in central areas against Jamal Musiala, who has already drawn 9 fouls this tournament thanks to his ability to glide past challenges and force defenders into recovery mode. Alongside him, Germany’s Aleksandar Pavlović has also shown an ability to win free-kicks, drawing 4 fouls despite limited minutes, adding further pressure on Cubas in midfield duels.
Cubas also carries a clear recent history of bookings. He has picked up 5 yellow cards in just 11 club appearances for Vancouver in 2026, alongside 2 yellows in 3 Concacaf Champions Cup matches, while also receiving 4 yellows in 12 World Cup qualifying appearances for Paraguay.
Aleksandar Pavlović to be Carded
6/1 with Sky Bet
Aleksandar Pavlović looks a live candidate for a booking in a midfield role that is likely to demand defensive work against Paraguay’s transition game. Germany have dominated possession throughout qualifying, averaging over 60% in all three matches, but that control has still left their midfield exposed to counters when opponents go direct and bypass the press.
That same tactical pattern is expected here. Paraguay are likely to be pragmatic and direct, avoiding playing out from the back against Germany’s high press and instead targeting quick transitions and long balls into the forward line. A key feature of that approach is Julio Enciso, who regularly drops deep to receive possession before driving forward with his dribbling, creating situations where Germany’s midfield must recover quickly and stop breaks at source.
Pavlović has already shown a willingness to do exactly that job, but with a degree of risk. Against Curaçao, he committed six fouls in a single match, and against Ecuador he was booked for a blatant pull back on an opponent as they ran past.
Monday World Cup Card Accumulator Tip
- Aleksandar Pavlović to be Carded
- Andrés Cubas to be Carded
- Ao Tanaka to be Carded
Best price 74/1 with bet365.
