Red cards and high scores are derby day delight for Coral customers

To celebrate a Premier League weekend punctuated by derby action, Coral have opened a couple of special markets. Customers can take advantage of odds for a sending off at Anfield and the Emirates, and which of the full programme of fixtures will have the highest score.

Four red cards have been shown in the last dozen Merseyside derbies, two apiece for Liverpool and Everton, so odds of 2/1 say referee Martin Atkinson will dismiss a player in this fiercely fought contest. The Reds’ holding midfielder Lucas Leiva has had an early bath before when previously tackling the Toffees.

In the clash of north London neighbours between Arsenal and Spurs, meanwhile, there have been two sendings off in the last six encounters. Emmanuel Adebayor, who has played for both, was one of those. Odds of 9/4 say a red card will be brandished again.

Neither derby is fancied to be the highest scoring affair of matchweek six, however. The Merseyside matchup is 5/1 and the Gunners v Spurs is 6/1, but Manchester United hosting West Ham comes in as the 9/2 favourite.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce fears a Red Devils backlash following their capitulation at Leicester last time out. With Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, plus Juan Mata to perhaps come off the bench, it’s easy to see why. There’s also serious defensive problems for Louis van Gaal to consider.

United’s Dutch boss has one fit senior centre back in Marco Rojo for this game, and West Ham beat Liverpool 3-1 in their last outing, so goals galore look hugely likely at Old Trafford. Chelsea’s encounter with Aston Villa is a 5/1 shot to contain the most strikes.

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, who hit seven against Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup midweek, are 7/1 chances to reproduce such form at Hull and be the highest scorers of the weekend.