Scott Thornton’s European Props: Six Best Bets

Scott Thornton has six bets across Europe’s top five leagues as we prepare for another busy weekend of football. 

In the Bundesliga, we have bets for Holstein Kiel vs St. Pauli and Monchengladbach vs Freiburg before Bayern Munich vs Dortmund headlines the weekend in Germany. Barcelona head to Leganes in the first of our La Liga matches. On Sunday, it’s Real Betis vs Villarreal. Our only game in Serie A is a crucial one in the race for the Champions League places as Atalanta take on Bologna. 

• Holstein Kiel vs St. Pauli: Over 10.5 Shots For Holstein Kiel
• Monchengladbach vs Freiburg: Over 26.5 Shots In The Match
• Bayern Munich vs Dortmund: Under 27.5 Shots In The Match
• Leganes vs Barcelona: Over 17.5 Shots For Barcelona
• Real Betis vs Villarreal: Under 26.5 Shots In The Match
• Atalanta vs Bologna: Over 9.5 Shots For Bologna

Acca odds: 45.94

Holstein Kiel vs St. Pauli: Last Chance Saloon Shootout

Germany, Bundesliga, Saturday, 12th April, 14:30 (UK)

Holstein Kiel are running out of time to save themselves. They are bottom of the Bundesliga, eight points from safety. The relegation playoff is their only realistic chance of survival but they are currently four points behind Heidenheim, who occupy this place. Kiel have managed just one win in their last 11 league games.

St. Pauli are also enduring a poor run. They have just one win in their last nine matches but their early season form means they are four points above the relegation playoff place. 

This really is last chance saloon for the home side so we are backing them to have at least 11 shots here. They are averaging 10.91 shots per game in front of their own fans. Marcel Rapp’s men hit the 11-shot mark in their last home game. Let’s hope the magnitude of this fixture means they get even more here.

The visitors have conceded an average of 13.5 shots in their away matches. This bet has landed in five of their last seven away games in the Bundesliga. St. Pauli also conceded 12 shots the last time they played Holstein Kiel at this ground. 

• Selection: Over 10.5 Shots For Holstein Kiel (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.90
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

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Monchengladbach vs Freiburg: Action Packed Clash in Monchengladbach 

Germany, Bundesliga, Saturday, 12th April, 14:30 (UK)

Monchengladbach are have been excellent of late. They have lost just two of their last 10 league matches, winning six. The good run of results has seen them climb to 6th in the table and they are now within touching distance of the top four. Gerardo Seoane will have been annoyed that his team couldn’t pick up all three points against St. Pauli last week. Returning to winning ways is of paramount importance here.

Freiburg are hot on Monchengladbach’s tails. They can overtake their European qualification rivals with a win here so expect an entertaining affair. Julian Schuster’s team have failed to win any of their last five but a win on Saturday would help repair their confidence. 

Die Fohlen’s matches have seen the second most shots in the league with an average of 28.71 per game. There have been 27 shots or more in their last five games with 32.4 on average. Over 26.5 shots appeals as a result. 

There were 33 shots in Freiburg’s last away match. The reverse fixture against Monchengladbach also saw plenty of attempts with 32. The last time that Freiburg played at this ground, there were 33 shots. 

• Selection: Over 26.5 Shots In The Match (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.83
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Bayern Munich vs Dortmund: Cagey Die Klassiker 

Germany, Bundesliga, Saturday, 12th April, 18:00 (UK)

Both of these teams are on the back foot following their Champions League quarter-final first legs. Bayern Munich are aiming to overturn a 2-1 deficit at the San Siro next week. They have a six points cushion at the top of the Bundesliga so you may not see them go at full throttle for the full 90 minutes here.

Dortmund’s chances of making it past Barcelona are slim to none after losing the first leg 4-0. Niko Kovac’s side will instead focus on finishing in the top four. They head into the weekend in 8th place but are just five points off the guaranteed Champions League spots.

Bayern’s home matches have seen an average of 26.9 shots per game this season. Kompany’s side have had the lion’s share of those attempts with 19.75 on average. However, they are unlikely to rack up those sort of numbers against a capable Dortmund side, particularly with a massive European fixture on the horizon. 

BVB’s away matches have seen an average of 25.29 attempts so under 27.5 appeals here. This bet landed with ease when the teams met earlier in the season. There were just 21 shots when the teams drew 1-1 in Dortmund. 

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

Leganes vs Barcelona: Los Pepineros Powerless to Resist

Spain, La Liga, Saturday, 12th April, 20:00 (UK)

Leganes are in serious trouble. They have won just one of their last 11 matches, a slump in form that has seen them drop into the relegation zone. The team have been scoring goals of late but their defensive displays have let them down, which doesn’t bode well as they gear up to face Europe’s most fearsome attack. 

Barcelona are full of confidence at the moment. They hammered Borussia Dortmund midweek and are favourites to win the Champions League. Hansi Flick’s men also lead the way in the La Liga title race.

This should be a one-sided game. Leganes have conceded an average of 16.9 shots per game in their last 10 league outings. Saturday’s opponents are certainly capable of exceeding that mark. Borja Jimenez’s side faced Real Madrid a couple of weeks ago and conceded 24 shots. The Blaugrana are capable of matching those numbers.

The bookmakers have set the Barcelona shot line at 17.5. They had 20 when the sides met earlier in the campaign and should have a fair few once again. The Blaugrana are averaging 17.07 shots per game, more than any other team in the league this season. 

• Selection: Over 17.5 Shots For Barcelona (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.90
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Real Betis vs Villarreal: Los Verdiblancos Can Tame the Visitors

Spain, La Liga, Sunday, 13th April, 17:30 (UK)

Real Betis have been enjoying life since the acquisition of Antony. The Brazilian has added some unpredictability to their attack. Manuel Pellegrini’s side are unbeaten in their last eight games ahead of Thursday night’s European game. They have netted an average of 2.13 goals per game over that period. 

Villarreal, on the other hand, have just one win in their last four league games. They are now level on points with Betis having played a game more. Therefore, Sunday’s clash could be crucial in the race to qualify for Europe. 

Betis have been excellent at restricting their opponents. There were just 19 shots when they drew away at Barcelona last weekend and we are tipping unders once again. Under 26.5 shots has landed in four of their last five games in La Liga with an average of 23.2.

The Yellow Submarine’s matches have seen the second most shots in La Liga with 26.45 on average, which is just below the line set here. However, there were just 19 attempts the last time they played Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

• Selection: Under 26.5 Shots In The Match (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.90
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Atalanta vs Bologna: A Massive Opportunity For Bologna

Italy, Serie A, Sunday, 13th April, 11:30 (UK)

Atalanta were involved in the title race at one stage but they have fallen away in recent weeks. A run of five matches without a win means they are now 10 points off the top and in a battle to finish in the Champions League places.

Bologna can move above Atalanta with a win on Sunday. Many felt they would struggle after losing Thiago Motta last summer but the team have played well under Vincenzo Italiano. They are unbeaten in six league games, winning five but they have a rotten record against Atalanta. Their last win over the team from Bergamo was in 2023.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have been conceding more shots of late. Their opponents are averaging 10.3 per game in their last 10 Serie A games. Atalanta also recently hosted Bologna in the cup and conceded 13 shots. 

Italiano’s men have had 10 shots or more in six of their last seven league games on the road. The visitors approach this game in better form than their opponents so expect them to take the game to Atalanta. They also had 13 attempts in this fixture last season. 

• Selection: Over 9.5 Shots For Bologna (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

European Props Acca Tips Odds via bet365 as at 17:12, April 10th, 2025. Odds may now differ.

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