Bet of the Day

Rayo Vallecano v Granada: Profit by foul means at 5/1

Spanish referee Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos
Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos likes to give a foul or three

A 5/1, fouls-based Bet Builder is the way to go in La Liga on Wednesday evening, according to our football props column.


Rayo Vallecano v Granada
Wednesday 15 May, 18:30
Live on Premier Player

It's straight off to the fouls market in this fixture.

Why, I hear you ask. Well, here's why...

First of all, we've got two of the top three most-fouled teams in La Liga on show.

The pair are also fourth and eighth respectively when it comes to committing said fouls.

And then there's referee Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos, who has the second-highest fouls-per-game figure in the Spanish top flight - he's averaging 28.63, well above the Primera Division average of 26.1.

The one bad thing is that Granada no longer have anything to play for - they are already guaranteed to be playing their football in the Segunda Division next season. However, Rayo are still battling against the drop.

A win here virtually guarantees safety so they will be keen to end a run which has seen them fail to score in five of their last six games.


Leg 1: Gerard Gumbau 2+ fouls

So, which players to back?

Let's start with Granada midfielder Gerard Gumbau, who sits 12th overall for fouls committed in La Liga this season.

He's committed at least two in five of his last six games, landing the 3+ bet in four of them.

I'll take the safer option here - one he landed in the reverse fixture - which is offered at a more-than-reasonable 8/131.61.

Leg 2: Carlos Neva 1+ foul

Team-mate Carlos Neva is added for 1+ foul.

The Granada captain and left-back has nailed this in three of his last four but, most importantly, looks likely to be up against Izi Palazon here.

Palazon loves to run at defenders and that has led to him being the fifth most-fouled player in La Liga in terms of total fouls.

Spanish La Liga - Top 5 Fouls Won

Player Team Apps Fouls Won Fouls Won/90*
Aleix Febas Elche 36 117 3.3
Vinícius Júnior Real Madrid 36 81 2.6
Iván Romero Levante 32 77 3
Germán Valera Elche 36 71 2.2
Abde Ezzalzouli Betis 29 71 2.8
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Admittedly, he was only a substitute last week but with a win needed here, I'd expect him to be back in starting XI, especially given he came on at half time during that 0-0 draw at Valencia.

Leg 3: Alfonso Espino 2+ fouls

Finally, let's add Rayo left-back Alfonso Espino for 2+ fouls.

This is the riskiest element of the Bet Builder, one which has 'only' landed in four of his last eight starts, although it has delivered more often than not this season.

However, throw in the situation, including that whistle-happy referee, and I'm prepared to take a chance here.

The three-legged Bet Builder pays just under 5/16.00.


Read more La Liga: Jamie Kemp on Getafe v Atletico Madrid!


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Column P/L 2023/24

Staked: 254pts
Returned: 274.58pts
P/L: +20.58pts

2022/23 P/L: +68.69pts

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Andy Schooler avatar

Andy Schooler

Andy Schooler has been writing about sport for more than 20 years.

Prices quoted in copy are correct at time of publication but liable to change.

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