Bernardo Silva is edging closer to a suspension after collecting yellow cards in three straight Premier League matches, leaving him walking a disciplinary tightrope ahead of facing Arsenal in five games’ time.
The Manchester City captain has now picked up eight bookings this season, having been cautioned by referee Thomas Bramall during Saturday’s narrow victory over Newcastle, which saw City keep pace with league leaders Arsenal.
Premier League rules state that any player who reaches 10 yellow cards before their team plays 32 matches receives an automatic two-game suspension. After that point, the count is reset. City’s win over Newcastle was their 28th fixture of the league campaign, meaning the next few games carry particular significance for Silva’s availability.
Upcoming matches against Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Chelsea will take City to that 32-match mark. Immediately after comes a potentially decisive clash with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
Should Silva, a hugely influential player on and off the pitch for City, receive two more bookings before then, he would be suspended for the showdown with Mikel Arteta’s side on April 18 - a game that could prove pivotal in the title race.
Importantly for City, league yellow cards do not carry over into domestic cup competitions. That means Silva’s disciplinary situation will not affect next month’s Carabao Cup final - which is against Arsenal - nor the club’s trip to Newcastle in the FA Cup.
Silva would be yellow-carded against Leeds and Forest, and then serve a two-game suspension against West Ham and Chelsea, to come back with a clean slate against the Gunners.
