Rodri Betting Tips & Predictions

Rodri has committed 10 fouls across his 13 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions this season (1.00 per 90), but I’d expect that record to rise as we go through the season and there’s a favourable matchup here against one of the most fouled sides in the Premier League.

Aston Villa have long been a very good side when it comes to winning fouls, no English side has won more fouls than Villa since Emery took charge and that’s no coincidence - the way Villa play invites fouls and sets up individual matchups all over the pitch.

I’m particularly interested in Rodri’s battle with Joao Gomes here. I can see the Brazilian really getting involved in the midfield battle, antagonising Rodri in the process. He’s won four fouls in the Champions League this season.

Rodri will also have to manage the threat of John McGinn, who is one of the best players in Europe when it comes to winning fouls - maintaining an average of 2.00 fouls won per 90 or higher in each of the last three seasons.

Mario Hermoso committed three fouls at the weekend as Roma came away 5-2 winners against Udinese. I’d consider looking at higher lines for the centre back here, they’re pretty generously priced for a player that is regularly quite aggressive.

Hermoso has committed a foul in all three of his Champions League matches so far, committing multiple fouls against Real Madrid and Fenerbahce. He committed 40 fouls across 25 starts in Serie A last season (1.72 per 90), also maintaining an average of 1.93 fouls committed per 90 in the Europa League.

It’s clear that Hermoso is a consistent player when it comes to winning fouls, and will be one of the main Roma players to watch here for infringements. You can back Hermoso to commit 2+ fouls at 2.50, which is a really appealing price.

Tajon Buchanan has won more fouls than any other Villarreal player in the Champions League this season (7 - 4.67 per 90), and has also won the most fouls across all competitions for the LaLiga side (3.18 per 90).

He won 36 fouls across his 34 appearances in LaLiga last season (1.78 per 90), with only three players in the Villarreal squad winning more fouls than Buchanan during that campaign.

PSG aren't the most aggressive side in Europe, but do play with a really effective counter press. This can leave gaps, especially in wide areas with Hakimi and Mendes being so willing to push on into advanced areas. I can see Buchanan exploiting that space, making him a target to be fouled.

Yamal has reached a new level of goalscoring this season, netting 12 goals across just 14 appearances across all competitions.

It’s a part of his game that has steadily improved over the last few years, with the winger going from 18 goals in his first full season to 24 goals last year.

Yamal scored six goals across his ten appearances in the Champions League last season. He’s already scored two goals across his three starts in the competition this year, and comes into this clash having scored twice at the weekend against Deportivo La Coruna.

Manzambi is such an exciting player, and has slotted in seamlessly as a replacement for Morgan Rogers.

He’s linked up really well with Jackson, and has scored three goals already this season - including one in the Champions League.

Only Buendia (27) and Jackson (33) have taken more shots for Aston Villa this season than Manzambi (3.70 per 90), with Manzambi featuring in four fewer games than this duo.

He’s had six shots on target across his seven appearances overall (1.17 per 90) and found the target against Fulham at the weekend.

Matty Cash has picked up more yellow cards than any other Aston Villa player this season, with five in eight Premier League games, including four in his last five matches.

The right-back has also been giving away plenty of fouls, averaging 2.19 per 90 minutes.

He recently gave away four fouls and got booked against Manchester City. Against Fulham last time out, he picked up another yellow despite committing just one foul.

Cash is likely to come up against Anthony Gordon, who's been fouled in three of his last four starts. He'll also have to deal with Raphinha's movement down that side.

The referee could make things even trickier for Cash. Davide Massa has averaged 4.35 yellow cards per game in Serie A over the past 12 months, while calling more than 25 fouls per match.

Rodri has committed 10 fouls across his 13 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions this season (1.00 per 90), but I’d expect that record to rise as we go through the season and there’s a favourable matchup here against one of the most fouled sides in the Premier League.

Aston Villa have long been a very good side when it comes to winning fouls, no English side has won more fouls than Villa since Emery took charge and that’s no coincidence - the way Villa play invites fouls and sets up individual matchups all over the pitch.

I’m particularly interested in Rodri’s battle with Joao Gomes here. I can see the Brazilian really getting involved in the midfield battle, antagonising Rodri in the process. He’s won four fouls in the Champions League this season.

Rodri will also have to manage the threat of John McGinn, who is one of the best players in Europe when it comes to winning fouls - maintaining an average of 2.00 fouls won per 90 or higher in each of the last three seasons.