Fulham’s Joao Palhinha is set to be suspended for their match against Arsenal next week, despite starting and scoring on Tuesday.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Joao Palhinha of Fulham is challenged by Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Southampton FC at Craven Cottage on December 31, 2022. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Joao Palhinha of Fulham is challenged by Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Southampton FC at Craven Cottage on December 31, 2022. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Over the weekend, Joao Palhinha picked up his 10th yellow card of the season in a match against Wolves, earning himself a two-game suspension from Premier League matches.

Palhinha already missed one game early in the campaign for a yellow-card suspension, after picking up five bookings before the end of September.

But the punishment ramps up with each new milestone, and 10 bookings is an automatic two-game ban.

Some supporters may be wondering why Palhinha was allowed to start against Leeds United on Tuesday, scoring as Fulham reached the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Whilst red-card suspensions carry across domestic competitions, the same is not true for yellow-card bans.

So, Palhinha was allowed to play in the cup fixture, but he’s banned for Fulham’s next two Premier League games against Brentford and Arsenal.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 25: Mikel Arteta, Head Coach of Arsenal celebrates the win during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal FC at The King Power Stadium on February 25, 2023 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta, Head Coach of Arsenal celebrates the win during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal FC at The King Power Stadium on February 25, 2023. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

The 27-year-old has been a key player for Fulham this season, as they’ve caused plenty of problems for the big clubs.

None of the big six have beaten Fulham by more than a single goal, and Arsenal had to come from behind to win back in August.

Palhinha’s last absence from the side was a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United, and Arsenal will hope that they face a similar drop-off in quality this time around.

But, given Fulham sit sixth in the Premier League table after 25 games, it’s hard to imagine they’ll be a walkover with or without Palhinha.