Spain vs Argentina

World Cup finals are rarely free-flowing affairs. With the biggest prize in football on the line, challenges become harder, tactical fouls become more frequent and every duel carries extra significance. Sunday's showdown between Spain and Argentina has all the ingredients to be a fiercely contested encounter, pitting Spain's relentless pressing game against an Argentina side that has never shied away from the physical battle.

Spain's midfield trio of Rodri, Pedri and Fabián Ruiz thrive on drawing contact through quick passing and intelligent movement, while Argentina's aggressive approach, led by the likes of Cristian Romero, Leandro Paredes and Nicolás Tagliafico, is likely to be tested throughout the 90 minutes. At the other end, Spain's high press often forces their own attackers into committing tactical fouls to stop counter-attacks before they develop.

With tensions expected to rise as the final progresses, cards and foul markets could offer some of the best betting opportunities on the board. Here are our favourite picks to be booked in the World Cup final.

TIP 1: Lisandro Martinez - To Be Carded - 1pt

Best odds of 4/1 at 10bet at the time of publishing.

Lisandro Martínez picked up his first booking of the World Cup in the semi-final after cynically stopping an England counter-attack, and he could find himself in the referee's notebook again against Spain. The Manchester United defender has committed 1, 2 and 2 fouls across his last three appearances, and Sunday's final presents an even tougher assignment.

Martínez will not only have to deal with Mikel Oyarzabal's movement through the middle but is also likely to shuffle across and support Nicolás Tagliafico against the pace and trickery of Lamine Yamal. Spain's fluid attack forces defenders into uncomfortable one-on-one situations, making tactical fouls almost inevitable, and another yellow card is firmly in play.

TIP 2: Cristian Romero - To Be Carded - 1pt

Best odds of 13/5 at bet365 while publishing.

Cristian Romero's aggressive style means he is never far away from disciplinary trouble. It was somewhat surprising that he only received his first yellow card of the tournament in the semi-final against England, having been fortunate to avoid bookings in several earlier matches.

His fouling numbers underline just how combative he has been, with 2, 1, 1, 2, 1 and 2 fouls across his World Cup appearances, while his last eight matches for Argentina read 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 2 and 2. Romero will spend much of the final dealing with Spain's constant movement in the final third, and with so much at stake, another mistimed challenge could easily see him booked.

TIP 3: Lamine Yamal - To Be Carded - 1pt

Best odds of 6/1 at SpreadEx while publishing.

Lamine Yamal may be one of Spain's most exciting attacking players, but he also plays on the edge defensively. His fouls committed at this World Cup read 3, 2, 5, 1, 0, 0 and 1, giving him an average of 1.71 fouls per 90 minutes.

Spain's aggressive counter-press regularly sees Yamal make tactical challenges to halt opposition breaks, and he was arguably fortunate to escape without a booking in the semi-final against France. Against an experienced and streetwise Argentina side, emotions are likely to run high, and with the World Cup on the line, the referee may be less forgiving.

If Yamal continues to press with the same intensity, a first yellow card of the tournament would not come as a surprise.