Three shots on target plays ahead of this weekend's Premier League action
Here's hoping for another SOT-filled weekend in the Premier League
The Premier League is back for another weekend of action and so are BettingOdds.com with three more shots on target plays.
I've been scouring through the statistics from the opening three gameweek's in England's top-flight to pick out some potential value, and below you will find each of them alongside some lengthy reasoning for every selection.
Backing all three as a treble pays a tasty looking 50/1 with Paddy Power, but you can also get behind them as singles by clicking the price in the tips block, which will add the chosen selection directly to your bet-slip.
My first selection for this weekend’s bet comes in the shape of Crystal Palace defender Cheikhou Kouyaté to register one or more shot(s) on target against Chelsea.
The Senegal international ranks joint-highest for shots on target (defenders only) after three games, registering two in his opening three appearances for the Eagles in 2020-21.
Palace have impressed me so far with wins over Southampton and Manchester United, and Roy Hodgson’s side were extremely unlucky not to take a point from their clash against Everton last weekend, undone by a farcical penalty decision for handball which Richarlison converted to win the game for the Toffees in south London.
The ever-reliable Kouyate has put in some stellar performances playing deeper in the heart of Palace’s defence as opposed to his more natural position in central midfield, and even managed to etch his name onto the scoresheet during last weekend’s narrow defeat to Everton, nodding home a brilliant header to level things for his side at Selhurst Park.
Posing such a threat from corners and set-pieces, I can see the 30-year-old possibly causing Chelsea some issues this weekend, especially given how poor the Blues have been defensively so far - shipping five goals in their last two league games against Liverpool and West Brom.
With the ability Palace have from dead-ball situations and his confidence high after last weekend’s goal, I like the look of Kouyate to register at least one shot on target at 7/2.
My second selection for this weekend’s trio of bets is Helder Costa to have one or more shots on target against Manchester City in Saturday’s early-evening kick-off.
Aside from Leicester’s Harvey Barnes - who has amassed a whopping seven shots on target so far (reflected in his odds of just 7/5 for 2+ SOT vs West Ham) - Helder Costa ranks joint-highest in the SOT charts for midfielders with three to his name in three games.
The Portugal international enjoyed a promising spell on loan with Leeds last season, scoring four goals in the Whites’ promotion push to the Premier League. After his move from Wolves was made permanent in the summer, Costa has hit the ground running in 20-21, putting in some really impressive displays as Leeds have taken to the top-flight like ducks to water - winning two of their opening three games.
He is a huge attacking threat for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, and while they will certainly have a job on their hands against Manchester City this weekend, I can see him causing a shaky Cityzens back line - which conceded five goals last time out against Leicester - some problems.
With his blistering pace and directness, the 26-year-old will look to run at City as much as possible, and I expect him to fire shots away as soon as he gets the slightest whiff of goal - just like he did against Fulham a couple of weeks ago (see video below, 10 seconds in).
At 9/5 just to land one shot on target, I’m including Costa into my trilogy of bets with little hesitation. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can get him to land two or more at the rather appealing price of 11/1.
To round off proceedings, I’m getting behind last weekend’s star performer in West Ham’s rampant 4-0 win over Wolves, Jarrod Bowen, to register two or more shots on target against Leicester.
It’s been a fairly slow start for the ex-Hull star in east London, but last weekend he gave us all a glimpse of what he is really capable of with a phenomenal individual display at the London Stadium.
Bowen’s confidence will be sky-high heading into this weekend’s tussle with Leicester and I’m hoping that will lead to him taking plenty of chances against the Foxes. We’ve seen his ability from range from his time with Hull so hopefully he’ll let off a few long-range power-drivers in this Sunday’s early kick-off.
In total, the 23-year-old has taken seven shots on goal in his opening three appearances this season, with two of them landing on target. While the opposition won’t be easy to break down given their strength and the way that Leicester have started their campaign, I’ve every faith that Bowen will test Kasper Schmeichel in this one. If you feel the same, Paddy’s are offering odds of 3/1 for the young Englishman to have two or more shots on target, while their price for him to register one is 8/15.
Good luck to those following any of my bets this weekend, let's hope that gameweek 4 delivers the goods!
As always, please gamble responsibly.
