Polish right back Matty Cash has been consistently shooting on sight this season, managing 1.08 efforts per 90 in domestic action. The defender has taken at least one shot in each of his last six Premier League games with two in three of those and so is clearly full of confidence. All 10 of his league shots from have come from outside the box, showing that as soon as he gets the ball 30 yards from go, he’s been given licence to pull the trigger.

Opponents Bournemouth have conceded 15.6 shots per game on the road this season, with only two Premier League sides conceding more. They’ve given up 15 or more in each of their last three away games, including at Leeds and Crystal Palace, so Villa will be licking their lips at the chance to attack them.

As long as bookies keep pricing up Brentford centre backs like this for shots, I’ll keep backing them! Kristoffer Ajer has now managed five shots across his last three starts, landing this bet in each of those games as he profits from Keith Andrews’ focus on attacking set pieces. The Bees are averaging 4.2 shots per game from dead ball situations and Ajer has been the recent beneficiary with Nathan Collins and Sepp van den Berg occupying the opposition goalkeeper.

Newcastle are actually one of the best sides in the division when it comes to defending set plays, with only Man City and Arsenal conceding fewer shots from them. However, they’ve only faced one side in the top five for shots from restarts, and on that occasion, Arsenal centre back Gabriel netted from a corner. The Magpies have allowed four shots from opposition centre backs in their last three games, and Ajer is in excellent form to add to that number.

Another centre back who is enjoying a strong spell of shooting is Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi who has taken 0.9 shots per 90 across all competitions this season. The England international has had at least one shot in nine of his last 12 games and is consistently getting on the end of corners and wide free kicks, resulting in attempts at goal. 

With this being a rivalry, set pieces could be crucial, and with only Arsenal taking more shots from such situations and Brighton conceding over three per game, Oliver Glasner will likely be prioritising set pieces as a means of attack. Guehi’s last two appearances in this fixture have seen him sent off and scoring an own goal, and so he’ll be desperate to make up for those games for Eagles fans.

Having netted twice already this season, Joe Rodon seems in the mood for goalscoring, and if he can maintain his average of 0.8 shots per 90 this season, he may well get a few more. The big centre back is the target for first contact from set pieces, which has led to him firing off eight efforts at goal in his last five starts. 

Key to this bet is that Forest are still unable to defend set pieces, as evidenced by their concession from corners in both of their last two league games. They’ve now conceded nine goals from dead ball situations this season which is a league high, and having given up 12 shots from opposition centre backs across their last six games, it’s a weakness that is showing no signs of improvement.

After his four shots and a goal against Real Madrid in midweek, Alexis Mac Allister comes into this crucial clash against Man City with plenty of confidence. The Argentine midfielder has had at least one shot in every Premier League appearance this season, other than against Burnley, and across all competitions is averaging 1.72 efforts per 90. 

Man City are looking back to their ominous best and look the most likely challengers to Arsenal for the title, however, they have struggled defensively against Liverpool in recent meetings. Across the last three matches between these sides, the Reds have managed 45 shots at an average of 15 per game, so if that trend continues, we can expect Mac Allister to get involved.