Scott Thornton’s European Props: Table Topping Clash in Serie A

Scott Thornton is back with six bets across Europe. This week’s action comes from the Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A.

In Germany, we have two 14:30 kick-offs in the form of Bochum vs Hoffenheim and Heidenheim vs Monchengladbach, both of which will have an impact on the relegation battle. Later that day, Bayer Leverkusen head to Frankfurt. Rayo Vallecano vs Sevilla is the first of our Spanish matches before Real Madrid look to keep the pressure on Barcelona by beating Real Betis. Our only match in Italy is a big one. Saturday night sees Napoli take on Inter in a table topping clash. 

• Bochum vs Hoffenheim: Over 27.5 Shots In The Match
• Heidenheim vs Monchengladbach: Over 25.5 Shots In The Match
• Eintracht Frankfurt vs Bayer Leverkusen: Under 26.5 Shots In The Match
• Rayo Vallecano vs Sevilla: Over 23.5 Shots In The Match
• Real Betis vs Real Madrid: Over 13.5 Shots For Real Madrid
• Napoli vs Inter: Under 23.5 Shots In The Match

Acca odds: 41.23

Bochum vs Hoffenheim: A Resurgent Bochum

Germany, Bundesliga, Saturday, 1st March, 14:30 (UK)

Bochum are in the relegation playoff place after 23 matches and there is a four-point gap between them and safety. The team are unbeaten in three matches and even managed a shock victory over Borussia Dortmund in their last home game. The upturn in form has given them hope of survival but they must continue this run in the weeks to come. 

Hoffenheim are just five points above Bochum heading into this clash. Defeat would drag them into the thick of the relegation battle. They managed a morale-boosting draw against Stuttgart last weekend and won their last away game against Werder Bremen but there is work to be done.

Both teams should offer plenty going forward with three points so important. Bochum’s home matches this season have seen an average of 28.09 shots per game. There have been 35 shots in their last two outings at the Ruhrstadion. 

Christian Ilzer has taken charge of 13 matches as Hoffenheim boss and those have seen an average of 27.69 attempts, just above the line set by the bookmaker here. The last time the team visited this ground, there were 46 attempts. 

• Selection: Over 27.5 Shots In The Match (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.83
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8 /10

Heidenheim vs Monchengladbach: Do-or-Die for Heidenheim

Germany, Bundesliga, Saturday, 1st March, 14:30 (UK)

Heidenheim are six points from safety and the clock is ticking on their time in the top tier of German football. They have failed to win any of their last seven league matches, picking up just two points in the process. Their fans will be hoping that last weekend’s draw away at RB Leipzig can kick-start a revival. 

Borussia Monchengladbach’s good run of form came to an end last week as they succumbed to a crushing 3-0 home defeat against Augsburg. They picked up 10 points in their four matches prior to that, which was enough to catapult them further away from the bottom three. 

Frank Schmidt’s side’s home matches have seen an average of 25 shots per game in the Bundesliga. However, we are tipping over 25.5 here given the fact there were 39 shots when they faced Monchengladbach back in October. 

Die Fohlen’s away matches have seen an average of 27.55 shots. There were 27 shots in their last game on the road, in line with their overall average. Holstein Kiel are the only team in the Bundesliga who have conceded more shots than Monchengladbach this season, so expect the home side to make a healthy contribution to the overall count. 

• Selection: Over 25.5 Shots In The Match (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Bayer Leverkusen: Commanding Displays From Alonso’s Men

Germany, Bundesliga, Saturday, 1st March, 17:30 (UK)

Saturday’s late kick-off in Germany sees 2nd and 3rd in the table go head-to-head. Eintracht Frankfurt are eight points behind Bayer Leverkusen but they will be keen to get a result with teams lining up behind them. Dino Toppmöller’s men have lost just one of their last 17 matches.

Leverkusen are also enjoying a fantastic run of form. Their only loss in their last 20 competitive matches came away to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. While catching Bayern Munich and retaining their Bundesliga crown looks beyond their reach, Xabi Alonso will be keen for his side to finish the season in a positive manner.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Bundesliga matches have seen plenty of shots but we are backing under 26.5 here. There have been 26 shots or less in five of their last six matches against Leverkusen with those games seeing an average of 24.5 shots. 

Xabi Alonso’s side have looked in control since the winter break. They have been able to keep their opponents at bay but aren’t racking up huge shot numbers themselves. Since the restart, Leverkusen matches have seen an average of just 21.88 attempts.

• Selection: Under 26.5 Shots In The Match (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.90
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Rayo Vallecano vs Sevilla: End-to-End at the Estadio de Vallecas

Spain, La Liga, Saturday, 1st March, 15:15 (UK)

Rayo Vallecano were beaten 1-0 at home by Villarreal last weekend, making it consecutive defeats in La Liga. They now sit 6th in the table, above Real Betis on only goal difference. Getting back to winning ways is crucial for their hopes of qualifying for Europe. 

Sevilla are 11th in La Liga but are within touching distance of the European places. It’s been a troublesome few years for the club but a win here could mean they finish the weekend in the top half. 

Vallecano matches have seen the fourth most shots in the division with an average of 25.4 per game. Iñigo Pérez has looked to continue the high-octane, vertical attacking approach adopted by Andoni Iraola at the club and this leads to end-to-end matches. There have been 24 or more shots in three of their four home matches in 2025 with an average of 27.

Shots are more scarce in Sevilla matches but we should see a few here. There were 32 attempts the last time they visited this ground and our bet has won in three of their last four visits. 

• Selection: Over 23.5 Shots In The Match (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Real Betis vs Real Madrid: Electrifying Los Blancos

Spain, La Liga, Saturday, 1st March, 17:30 (UK)

Real Betis earned an away win over Getafe last weekend to move them to within touching distance of the European qualification places. However, they have a dismal record against Real Madrid, failing to win any of the last nine meetings between the teams. 

Los Blancos will have one eye on the Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid but they cannot afford to overlook their opponents here. Barcelona lead the title race on goal difference so Carlo Ancelotti will be keen to ensure his players get the job done against Betis.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are conceding just 10.84 shots per game in La Liga but they face one of the most formidable attacks in world football on Saturday. When they squared off against Real earlier in the season, Ancelotti’s men racked up a total of 22 attempts.

Real Madrid have had the most shots in the Spanish top flight with an average of 16.72 per game. They have reached the 14 shot mark in all 17 of their competitive matches in 2025, so over 13.5 appeals. During that run, they have faced Manchester City twice and Barcelona once. 

• Selection: Over 13.5 Shots For Real Madrid (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.83
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Napoli vs Inter: A Cagey Affair at the Top of Serie A

Italy, Serie A, Saturday, 1st March, 17:00 (UK)

This is the highlight of the Italian footballing weekend. Serie A’s top two square off with Atalanta hot on their tails. Napoli are without a win in their last four league matches and are a point behind their opponents ahead of this mammoth clash. Antonio Conte knows his team need to arrest their slump if they are to clinch the Scudetto.

Inter won the league with ease last season. They face a fight this time around but the recent signs are that they’re certainly up for the fight. Simone Inzaghi’s side bounced back from a 1-0 defeat in Turin with back-to-back competitive wins. They would dearly love another here.

Expect to see a cagey affair with very little to separate these teams. Napoli matches have seen the fewest shots in Serie A this season with an average of 22.88 shots. Conte has a reputation for being a coach that prioritises defensive solidity. That has certainly rung true in his first season in Naples. 

Inter matches see an average of 25.23 attempts but we are backing under 23.5 here. There were just 18 shots when they hosted Napoli earlier in the season and it should be an intriguing tactical battle once again. 

• Selection: Under 23.5 Shots In The Match (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365

European Props Acca Tips Odds via bet365 as at 17:21, February 27th, 2025. Odds may now differ.

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