SoT For: Shots Fired and Shots Missed

Week 4 of the Premier League season has certainly shaken up the shots on target leaderboard! The big guns are flexing their muscles, but it’s the underdogs and strugglers that have really got tongues wagging.

At the Top: Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham are tied at the pinnacle, each boasting 24 shots on target. It’s a testament to their relentless attacking play. City’s presence here is no surprise—Pep Guardiola’s side is a well-oiled machine, making precision and flair their trademarks. However, Nottingham Forest being shoulder to shoulder with these giants? Now that’s the underdog story of the season! Their newfound attacking prowess is a sight to behold, and it’s clear they’re not here just to make up the numbers.

Tottenham, under the new tactical regime, has found their attacking mojo again. Their crisp, free-flowing football is translating into more shots on target, reminding everyone why they’re a force to be reckoned with this season.

Struggling at the Bottom: Now, let’s take a peek at the other end of the spectrum. Ipswich Town is languishing with a mere 8 shots on target. It’s been a tough initiation for the newcomers, and this stat starkly highlights their struggles in front of goal. They’ve got the heart, but the end product is clearly missing. Meanwhile, West Ham isn’t faring much better, with just 10 shots. A sluggish start for the Hammers, who are in desperate need of finding their shooting boots.

Then there’s Southampton and Everton, both struggling to make their chances count. It’s not been the most inspiring of starts, with fans growing increasingly anxious. The 12 shots on target mark isn’t enough for teams with their ambitions. For Wolves, Leicester, and Palace, the lack of creativity and cutting edge is glaring. Each sits at a disappointing 14 shots on target, signaling that a lot of work needs to be done on the training ground to turn their fortunes around.

SoT Against: The Fortress and the Breach

As we head into week 5 of the Premier League season, it’s time to take a look at which teams have been turning their penalty areas into fortresses and which have been, let’s say, leaving the door a little too wide open. The shots on target against statistics paint quite a picture, with some clubs making it difficult for opponents to even get a sniff at goal, while others seem to be inviting shooting practice.

Let’s start with the top dogs. Liverpool are leading the pack with the fewest shots on target conceded, showcasing a defensive solidity that’s been their hallmark in recent seasons. Slot’s men are channeling their inner wall-building expertise, effectively stifling opposition forwards. Not far behind, we have Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Aston Villa—all of whom are doing their best impression of “thou shalt not pass” in their defensive thirds. It’s a tight contest among these clubs, each conceding just 11 shots on target so far. For Spurs and City, it’s a testament to their midfield control, while for United and Villa, it’s about the resilience of their backline.

On the flip side, we have teams that are more than happy to give their goalkeepers a workout. Brentford sits at the top—or should we say bottom—of this list with a whopping 27 shots on target against them. It’s clear that opponents have found a way to bypass their midfield and defense, leading to a barrage on their goal. Everton and Southampton aren’t far behind, tied with 26 shots on target against each. The Toffees and Saints are both in dire need of some defensive restructuring; otherwise, their net might end up resembling Swiss cheese by the end of the season.

Wolves and Bournemouth complete the bottom five, with 25 and 24 shots on target against them, respectively. While both teams have shown moments of solidity, it’s clear there’s still plenty of work to be done on the training ground to tighten up their defenses.

So, as the Premier League season heats up, we’re seeing a clear divide between the teams that can keep the wolves (or Bees) at bay and those that need to start building stronger barriers around their goalmouths. Will the teams currently shipping shots on target shore up their defenses? Or will they continue to give their goalkeepers the busiest jobs in the league? Time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—this season is shaping up to be a fascinating battle between the impenetrable and the, well, rather penetrable.