Shots on Target Stats

A shot on target is any attempt that would have entered the goal if not saved by the goalkeeper or blocked by another player on the line. Shots that hit the post or bar without being touched by the keeper do not count as shots on target. This definition is consistent across data providers, though minor discrepancies can occur in live data before matches are verified.

Shots on target is a stronger indicator of attacking intent than total shots because it filters out speculative attempts and long-range efforts that have a low probability of resulting in a goal. Teams that generate high SOT totals consistently tend to have clinical attacking units or tactical systems that create high-quality chances close to goal. These patterns are more stable across opponents than total shot counts.

The 9.5 match total line is the most widely offered on UK bookmakers for this market. The 8.5 line suits tighter, lower-tempo fixtures. The 10.5 line requires both sides to be actively threatening and is most relevant when two attacking teams with high individual SOT averages meet. League averages in the table below show which competitions produce enough shots on target to regularly clear each line.

Team SOT For and Against

Team SOT for shows how often a side generates at least a given number of shots on target per match. This is most directly useful for player props markets where anytime scorer odds are informed by the volume of shots a team creates, and for team total SOT markets where available. Teams with high for rates tend to maintain that output across different opponents because it reflects the structure of how they play rather than the quality of the opposition.

Team SOT against shows how often a side concedes that level of shot activity. A team conceding high SOT has a defence that gives opponents sustained access to good positions inside or around the penalty area. Pairing a high SOT-for side against a high SOT-against side is the clearest setup for match total SOT markets, and also provides context for goals markets since shot volume correlates with scoring frequency over larger samples.

Most shots on target in the Premier League

The Premier League players who rack up the most shots on target are the high-volume strikers and wingers who shoot often from good positions. The table above ranks them this season across the Premier League and 115+ leagues, sortable by total or per game. At team level, the sides that dominate shots on target tend to be the possession-heavy attacks that work the ball into the box rather than settling for distance.

For shots on target by team over recent games see team trends, and for player shot props with live odds use the player props finder.