Jorge De Frutos has been 1 of Rayo Vallecano’s most prominent sinners, which is saying something given their massive team average of 14.61 fouls per game in La Liga.

The winger himself has averaged 1.62 fouls per 90 minutes across all competitions and has slipped up at least once in each of his last 14 games lasting 60+ minutes. This is in part due to Rayo Vallecano’s incredibly intense press, boasting a PPDA of just 8.11.

If that wasn’t convincing enough, De Frutos is set to clash with Alejandro Balde who averages 1.79 fouls drawn per 90 in La Liga, so he should have a torrid time of it on Monday.

Pedri is 1 of the few players who can rival Alejandro Balde’s foul-winning rate with the Spanish midfielder averaging 1.70 won per 90 minutes across all competitions.

Pedri has drawn a remarkable 12 fouls across his last 3 clashes and has been taken out at least once in 15 of his most recent 18 appearances spanning at least an hour, including 6 of the last 7.

Pedri’s closest competitor is likely to be Pathé Ciss whose remarkable average of 2.66 fouls committed per 90 is topped by no player in contention to start. This will definitely be a matchup to watch and will surely produce at least a single foul but in all likelihood more.

Rayo Vallecano boast a strong average of 5.13 corners per match in La Liga, and despite being underdogs here, should manage to rack up a fair few. They’ve only fallen short of the mark in 2 of their 23 matches in La Liga with the exceptions occurring against Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao. They don’t seem to have any issue with winning them against stronger opposition, accumulating 6 last time out against Barcelona and 4 against Real Madrid.

Barcelona’s record suggests they can be pretty vulnerable to conceding corners, averaging 4.48 per game with their strengths predominantly lying elsewhere. They’ve allowed their opposition at least 3 in 13 of their last 18 matches in La Liga.

Barcelona’s total of 42 yellow cards this season is the 3rd-lowest of any side in La Liga, contributing to an average of just 1.82 per game. This is in stark contrast to what their opponents over the season have picked up, averaging 2.72 cards per game. This shouldn’t come as a surprise given Barcelona average the fewest fouls committed and the 4th-most fouls drawn.

Their opposition can’t say the same, averaging 2.70 cards per match with their various opponents averaging just 2.13 – the 4th-fewest of any team. Vallecano average an impressive 14.6 fouls per game compared to Barcelona’s 8.96, meanwhile they draw an average of just 9.91 fouls per game, with only Osasuna winning fewer.

Barcelona’s games have been pretty contentious affairs and seeing plenty of cards brandished tends to be a common theme. All in all, their league matches have produced an average of 4.61 cards per game with just under 60% going the way of their opposition. This selection has come home in 7 of their last 9 across all competitions.

Rayo Vallecano’s games have actually been even more cards-intensive, averaging 4.74 produced per game. They come into this clash in the midst of a remarkable run which has seen each of their last 12 produce a minimum of 4 cards.

Mario Lopez has been appointed as referee for this clash which further boosts the value on offer given his career average of 5.27 cards distributed per match.

Another typical feature we’ve seen in the bulk of Barcelona’s matches is both teams scoring, in fact, both sides have made it onto the scoresheet in 8 of their last 10 league games. They’ve scored an average of 2.78 goals per game and conceded 1.09.

This selection has also come home in 8 out of Rayo Vallecano’s most recent 10 matches, with Vallecano managing to keep clean sheets against Leganes and Real Valladolid, although neither of these results represent massive accomplishments given their opponents both boast poor offensive records this season.

This selection was also a winner in the reverse fixture which saw Barcelona edge out a 2-1 victory.

Pathe Ciss’ remarkable average of 2.66 fouls per game is 2nd to none when looking at potential starters for Monday’s clash, and indicates immediate value, although there is plenty more to be found beneath the surface.

The Senegalese midfielder has sinned at least twice in 8 of his last 10 appearances lasting at least 45 minutes, including each of the most recent 4, during which games he’s averaged a foul every 24.8 minutes.

Ciss is likely to be tasked with containing Pedri who has averaged 1.70 fouls drawn per 90 minutes across all competitions, winning 12 across his last 3 appearances.

Despite Barcelona’s relative consistency in grinding out results, and often convincing ones at that, their defence has been far from impenetrable and the Catalan outfit often find themselves relying on Wojciech Szczesny between the sticks.

They’ve been forced into at least 2 saves in 9 of their last 13 matches across all competitions, and have averaged 2.09 saves per 90 in La Liga.

Rayo Vallecano have been enjoying a fantastic season and fully merit their 6th position. They’ve forced their opposition into making at least 2 saves in each of their last 8 and are now undefeated in 9 league games so by no means will they roll over for Barcelona.