Scott Thornton’s European Props: Six Best Bets

Scott Thornton is back with six picks across Europe’s top leagues. We have bets from the Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga ahead of the weekend’s action.

At 14:30 on Saturday, our German games get underway in the form of Heidenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen and Bochum vs Stuttgart. On Sunday, Union Berlin host Wolfsburg. In Italy, we look ahead to Monza vs Como before Juventus travel to take on Roma on Sunday night. Barcelona vs Real Betis is our game from Spain.

• Heidenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen: Under 8.5 Shots For Heidenheim
• Bochum vs Stuttgart: Under 27.5 Shots In The Match
• Union Berlin vs Wolfsburg: Over 13.5 Shots For Union Berlin
• Monza vs Como: Under 24.5 Shots In The Match
• Roma vs Juventus: Under 24.5 Shots In The Match
• Barcelona vs Real Betis: Under 27.5 Shots In The Match

Acca odds: 37.1

Heidenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen: Alonso’s Men Restrict the Opposition

Germany, Bundesliga, Saturday, 5th April, 14:30 (UK)

Two straight victories have offered Heidenheim hope in their battle against relegation. They are now in the relegation playoff place, three points from safety. Frank Schmidt’s side were excellent as they beat Wolfsburg 1-0 last weekend. It will take another fantastic display to win on Saturday.

Bayer Leverkusen are the reigning champions on Germany, but it’s increasingly likely they will relinquish their crown to Bayern Munich come the end of the season. Xabi Alonso’s side are six points behind the league leaders and will need to be perfect to have any chance of winning a second Bundesliga title. 

Heidenheim are averaging 13.08 shots per home game this season but they have struggled in recent meetings with Leverkusen. Schmidt’s side racked up six attempts when the teams squared off earlier in the season. They also had six the last time they played at this ground.  

Leverkusen have conceded an average of 8.75 shots per league game since the start of the calendar year, which is marginally above the line set by the bookmaker here. However, under 8.5 shots for their opponents has won in three of their four league matches against teams currently in the bottom six in 2025. 

• Selection: Under 8.5 Shots For Heidenheim (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Bochum vs Stuttgart: Die Roten Unable to Replicate Last Season

Germany, Bundesliga, Sunday, 6th April, 16:30 (UK)

Bochum are running out of time to salvage a place in the top tier of German football. They are 17th, five points from safety and two from the relegation playoff after 27 matches. The team have won just three of their 13 Bundesliga home matches this season. 

Stuttgart were one of the surprise packages in Germany last season. They finished 2nd, ahead of Bayern Munich, and secured a place in the Champions League. Sebastian Hoeneß’s side have failed to reach those heights this time around. The team are currently languishing in 11th place. 

Bochum have been getting an abundance of shots away on home turf, but we but we are backing under 27.5 shots in this match. This bet has landed in the last four meetings between the sides with an average of 25.25 shots per game. There were just 24 shots when these teams met earlier in the season.

Die Roten away matches have seen an average of 24.31 shots again across the entire Bundesliga season. Our bet has won in all six of their away matches in 2025.

• Selection: Under 27.5 Shots In The Match (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Union Berlin vs Wolfsburg: Union to Rack Up the Shots

Germany, Bundesliga, Saturday, 5th April, 14:30 (UK)

Union Berlin aren’t out of the woods yet in terms of the relegation battle; they are eight points above the relegation play-off after picking up five points in the last three matches. However, their home form has been poor. They have managed just one win in their last 10 league matches in front of their own fans

Wolfsburg are 9th in the Bundesliga and have their sights set on European qualification. The defeat against Heidenheim last week was a massive blow to the team. They are now four points off the guaranteed Europa Conference League places. 

Since Steffen Baumgart took charge, Union have been averaging 14.17 shots per home game. This rises to 15.6 if we exclude the data from their clash with Bayern, who are conceding the fewest shots in the league by some distance.

Ralph Hasenhüttl’s team are also conceding plenty of shots when playing away from home. Their 13 matches on the road have seen them concede an average of 15.54 attempts. Our bet has won in four of their six away matches in 2025. 

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

Monza vs Como: A Lack of Contribution From the Home Side

Italy, Serie A, Sunday, 6th April, 14:00 (UK)

Monza are bottom of Serie A. It would take a miraculous run from now until the end of the season for them to remain in the top flight. Alessandro Nesta has been unable to get this squad going and they are now eight points off safety.

Como were promoted from the second division last season and they have been exceptional since. They are 13th, well away from the perils of the relegation zone. Cesc Fabregas has some immensely talented players in his squad who should be able to seize control of this game. It’s a club that looks set for a big future. 

Monza have had the fewest shots per game in Serie A with an average of 8.67. They face a patient Como outift here so our tip is under 24.5 total shots in the game. This bet has won in five of Monza’s six home games in 2025. Those matches have seen an average of 22.67 attempts. 

Cesc’s side’s away matches over the course of the whole season have seen 22.8 shots on average. 

• Selection: Under 24.5 Shots In The Match (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Roma vs Juventus: A Cagey Affair in Rome

Italy, Serie A, Sunday, 6th April, 15:00 (UK)

Roma are the form team in Serie A. They are enjoying a 14-match unbeaten run in the league. Claudio Ranieri has galvanised the squad since replacing Ivan Juric and there is every chance that the team break into the top four. I Giallorossi come into this game just three points behind Juventus.

Thiago Motta was sacked during the international break. Igor Tudor, a man who played for Juventus, has been tasked with leading the team in the closing months of the season. The Old Lady won their first game under the new boss. They need to continue that momentum in this monumental clash with Roma.

Ranieri has taken charge of 18 league matches since coming to Roma. Those have seen an average of 24.33 shots. Shoring up the defence was high on the agenda for the legendary Italian manager. He will likely take the cautious approach here so under 24.5 shots in the match appeals. 

There were just 18 shots in Tudor’s first game in charge of Juve. The club’s Serie A away matches this season have seen 23 shots on average, so a lack of attempts isn’t an entirely new trend. The reverse fixture between these sides saw just 15 shots so the line looks a little high here. 

• Selection: Under 24.5 Shots In The Match (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.83
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Barcelona vs Real Betis: The Blaugrana Have an Eye on the Champions League

Spain, La Liga, Saturday, 5th April, 15:00 (UK)

Barcelona are in the ascendancy in the La Liga title race. They are three points clear of Real Madrid and are playing some fantastic stuff. Hansi Flick will have one eye on the Champions League quarter-final clash with Dortmund but he won’t want to surrender their lead in the league. The Blaugrana are unbeaten in 21 matches across all competitions so they will be confident they can handle the hectic schedule.

Real Betis are also enjoying an excellent run of form. They have lost just one of their last 10 competitive matches. Solitary defeat was the second leg clash with Gent and Betis progressed in the Europa Conference League anyway. 

Hansi Flick’s side’s home matches in La Liga have seen an average of 15.07 shots. Barcelona are averaging 19.43 of these shots but they shouldn’t have quite as many against a touch Betis side with an important Champions League game to come. 

There have been 27 shots or less in nine of the last 10 matches between Betis and Barcelona with an average of just 22.4. This bet has also won in eight of Betis’ last nine away matches in the league

• Selection: Under 27.5 Shots In The Match (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.90
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

European  Props Acca Tips Odds via bet365 as at 14:21, April 3rd, 2025. Odds may now differ.

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