EnglandMatches analysed: 822023–2026James Bell: referee stats
James Bell (England) has shown 4.11 cards per game in 82 analysed matches — +3% compared with the average of the same leagues. Profile: average.
Average · +3%Upcoming matches with James Bell
| Date | Match | Exp. cards | Over 3.5 | Over 4.5 | Both booked | Penalty | Red card | Odds o3.5 / o4.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 6 Nov 20:00 | Derby – BoltonChampionship | 4.04.0 | 55%53% | 37%36% | 73% | 12% | 10% | — |
Model probabilities: the referee’s card rate combined with both teams’ discipline, shrunk toward the league average when the sample is small. League average in grey for comparison.
Referee radar
Percentile among 3029 referees with at least 15 matches; 50 = typical referee. Each axis compares the referee with the average of the leagues where this referee officiates.
Cards per match (last 20 matches)
James Bell by competition
| Competition | Matches | Cards/g | League avg | vs league | Penalty | Red card |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Championship | 58 | 4.03 | 4.01 | +0% | 12% | 16% |
| League One | 9 | 4.00 | 4.15 | −2% | 11% | 0% |
| League Two | 7 | 5.14 | 4.19 | +9% | 29% | 29% |
| League Cup | 6 | 4.33 | 3.51 | +8% | 0% | 17% |
| FA WSL | 1 | 1.00 | 2.89 | −4% | 0% | 0% |
| WSL Cup | 1 | 4.00 | 1.94 | +5% | 0% | 0% |
Last matches refereed by James Bell
| Date | Match | Score | Cards (home–away) | Fouls | Pen. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 3 Nov | Watford – LincolnChampionship | 1:0 | 7 | 27 | 0 |
| Sat 24 Oct | Stoke City – Bristol CityChampionship | 0:0 | 0 | — | — |
| Tue 13 Oct | Wrexham – West BromChampionship | 1:2 | 2 | 24 | 0 |
| Sat 12 Sept | Swansea – BurnleyChampionship | 3:1 | 3 | 14 | 0 |
| Wed 9 Sept | Derby – West BromChampionship | 0:1 | 5 | 21 | 0 |
| Sat 29 Aug | Bristol City – PortsmouthChampionship | 2:1 | 3 | 21 | 1 |
| Tue 25 Aug | Cardiff – NorwichLeague Cup | 1:2 | 4 | 26 | 0 |
| Sat 25 Apr | Chesterfield – CreweLeague Two | 2:0 | 3 | 19 | 0 |
| Sat 18 Apr | Leyton Orient – RotherhamLeague One | 0:2 | 4 | 27 | 0 |
| Sat 24 Jan | Birmingham – Stoke CityChampionship | 1:1 | 2 | 17 | 0 |
| Thu 1 Jan | Bristol City – PortsmouthChampionship | 5:0 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
| Fri 26 Dec | Middlesbrough – BlackburnChampionship | 0:0 | 4 | 20 | 0 |
| Sat 13 Dec | Norwich – SouthamptonChampionship | 2:1 | 4 | 25 | 0 |
| Tue 9 Dec | QPR – BirminghamChampionship | 2:1 | 3 | 19 | 0 |
| Tue 25 Nov | Watford – PrestonChampionship | 1:1 | 6 | 21 | 0 |
How the numbers are calculated
Cards = yellow and red cards shown to players during 90 minutes (a second yellow counts as a yellow plus a red, as most bookmakers settle). Cards for coaches and substitutes on the bench and cards in extra time are excluded. Penalties = penalties awarded during the match (shoot-outs excluded). “vs league” compares the referee with the average of the exact league seasons this referee worked, so a referee from a card-heavy league is not called strict just because of the league.
Data: official match events and statistics (API-Sports), updated daily.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards does James Bell give per game?
On average 4.11 cards per game in 82 analysed matches (league average in the same competitions: 3.97).
Is James Bell a strict referee?
Compared with the leagues where James Bell officiates, the card count is +3% – profile: average. A red card appeared in 15% of these matches.
How often do matches with James Bell go over 4.5 cards?
Over 4.5 cards in 39% of matches and over 3.5 cards in 56%. Both teams were booked in 82%.
Does James Bell give many penalties?
A penalty was awarded in 12% of matches refereed by James Bell.
Which match will James Bell referee next?
Derby – Bolton (Championship) on 06.11.2026. Card probabilities for this match are shown above.