Shots On Target Tips

Before you place your shots on target bet, be sure to get yourself up to date on the rules, as there are a few things to remember with what qualifies as a shot on target.

According to OPTA, a shot on target is defined as “a clear attempt to score that would have gone into the net but for being saved by the goalkeeper or is stopped by a player who is the last-man with the goalkeeper having no chance of preventing the goal (last line block)”.

For example, if Bruno Fernandes shoots and the shot is off target but is deflected into the net, Fernandes will not have a shot target as it will go down as an own goal off the individual the ball last came off. Plus, shots blocked by another player, who is not the last-man, are not counted as shots on, meaning if Fernandes shoots from range and the shot is blocked by someone ahead of another opposing player, he doesn’t register a shot on target.

It is also important to remember that shots that hit the woodwork (post or bar) are not counted as shots on target, unless they hit the woodwork and go in as a goal. For example, if Kevin De Bruyne shots from range and it goes in off the bar and into the net, De Bruyne registers a shot on target.

OPTA also define a shot off target as a shot that “would have gone over or wide of the goal but for being stopped by a goalkeeper's save or by an outfield player”. Furthermore, shots that are blocked unintentionally by their own teammate is also regarded as a shot off target. Although, clearances off the line by an opposition player are counted as shots on target.

Oddschanger’s shots on target tips are chosen as we believe this player will have a shot on target in this specific game and/or we believe this team will have a certain amount of shots on target. As per most markets in football, shots on target bets run throughout the 90 minutes + plus injury time, and unless stated otherwise, the shots on target bet concludes before extra time. For example, in a cup game, ‘Cristiano Ronaldo to have +2 shots on target against Lazio’ will end upon the final whistle of the second half, even if he has one shot on target heading into extra time.

Shots on target tips mostly range from +1 shots on target to +3 shots on target for players. For example, ‘Sergio Aguero to have +1 shot on target against Newcastle United’ would be a popular bet and a very likely outcome. At the same time, something such as ‘Antoine Greizmann to have +2 shots on target against Real Madrid’ is likely, but odds will be higher, as there are more shots to be had and it is against better opposition.

Oddschanger offers the best value on shots on target bets for both players and the team. Through our affiliates, we offer the best bookie prices on shots on target across the world of betting, obtaining our shots on target bets through our expert tipsters and latest statistics.

Most shots on target bets can be tracked through the bookmaker you are betting with in their live stats section of the match you’re betting on. For example, Sky Bet have a match centre section on web app, mobile app and mobile, where you can watch the shots on target count for both individual players and for the team you’re watching.

Other bookmakers do the same thing, but be sure to check with them if you cannot find a way to track the bet live. Sometimes, it may seem like a player has had a shot on target, but the shot might not match the definition of a shot on target, and therefore, be ruled out.

Our shots on target bets are based off form, the team, the opposition, history with shooting on target, shooting accuracy and volume, the competition, and their likelihood of playing for a longer period of time.

For example, Phil Foden shots on target is an unlikely tip from us, based on his inconsistencies to start in the team and how he isn’t quite a prolific shooter. On the other hand, ‘Gabriel Jesus to have +2 shots on target’ against Brighton would be more of a tip for us, based on how he is more likely to score, start and get a couple of shots away in a free-scoring Manchester City side, especially if he starts ahead of Aguero.

Oddschanger also uses the latest tips and researches the history of each player/team and how frequently they shoot on target. For example, Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal tends to have a few shots off target and, therefore, would not be the most notable tip to have +2 shots on target against, say, Barcelona. On the other hand, Barca star Lionel Messi has nine goals in six games against Arsenal and would subsequently be a notable tip from us, should the odds be noteworthy.

Before each tip is placed on Oddschanger’s site or bookmaker affiliate site, the statistics are checked multiple times and we run them as deep as can be. For example, should Manchester United host Norwich City, we would look at how Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial tend to shoot often and the history between both clubs in this fixture and their current form.

You would then see online ‘@Oddschanger tip: Martial and Greenwood to have +1 shot on target in both halves,’ as the tip.