No European Championships saw more yellow cards than the 205 handed out at Euro 2016. An average of 4.02 bookings were given in each match, including a record 10 in the final between France and the eventual winners, Portugal. Now, with refereeing arguably even worse and the introduction of VAR, anything could happen.
Shifting from 16 teams to 24, the extra matches in the new format of the tournament gave more opportunities for bookings to be given, with more of the same expected this year. With matches at Euro 2020 expected to tight and cagey affairs, yellow cards are likely to be present in most games.
Priced at 5/6 for there to be over 181.5 yellow cards, an average of 3.5 bookings per match will be needed for this selection to land. However, in the two Euros prior to 2016, the number of yellows produced had been falling dramatically.
Compared to the 156 handed out at Euro 2004, the 2008 and 2012 editions only saw 121 and 123 respectively. If the curve is to be flattened this summer, under 181.5 yellow cards is also a 5/6 shot.