Six shots in three games over the festive season took James Garner’s average for the season to 1.6 per 90 across all competitions. Now stationed firmly in Everton’s midfield, Garner is getting regular chances to pull the trigger from range, and having landed this bet in 16 of his last 18 starts, including the league fixture against Sunderland, he’s as reliable as they come. 

Sunderland’s away games this season have seen them struggle to keep the opposition out, conceding 16.8 shots per game. Since the start of December, they’ve travelled to Man City, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Brighton, and so this cup match could be a welcome opportunity to rotate their line-up, further improving Garner’s chances of a single effort at goal.

Injuries to Newcastle’s backline should mean that Lewis Hall starts against Bournemouth, and he can continue a recent shooting streak that has seen him fire off six shots in his last three starts. The full back has been getting forward at every opportunity and is clearly happy to try his luck, as his domestic average of 1.18 shots per 90 can attest to.

Bournemouth have only won once away all season, and on their travels, are conceding 16.8 shots per game as teams cut them open at will. Andoni Iraola’s Cherries are struggling for confidence and tumbling down the Premier League table at a rate of knots, and so can be forgiven if this game is low on their priority list.

Despite their struggles this season, Alex Scott has continued to impress and is averaging 1.26 shots per 90. He’s been consistently taking shots in away games with nine efforts in his last eight starts, and he also managed one in the league fixture against Newcastle back in September. 

Eddie Howe’s Magpies will be hoping for another cup run after their EFL Cup triumph last season; however, with a tough January, which includes games against Man City and Aston Villa as well as two key Champions League fixtures, they may well rest players for the run-in, and Scott can take advantage

Whilst he’s not had a shot in his last three starts, Youri Tielemans average of 1.31 shots per 90 this season is evidence that he’s a player who likes to shoot on sight. The Belgian is playing a deeper role with Amadou Onana out injured, and this should mean more opportunities for him to shoot from range, where 75% of his shots this season have come from. 

Opponents Tottenham are giving up ten shots per game on their own patch, but as is the theme of this column, they’re another side whose league struggles make this cup game an unwanted distraction. In years gone by, the FA Cup was seen as an opportunity to end Spurs' trophy drought, but having won the Europa League last season, that’s no longer an issue, and Thomas Frank will be more concerned with their lowly league position.

Championship Charlton host near neighbours Chelsea and will be hoping to cause a shock. If they’re to do so, they’re likely to look to set pieces as their best hope in attack, as 44% of their league goals this season have come from such situations. Lloyd Jones is their biggest focal point from dead balls, and the Addicks vice-captain’s record of over a shot per 90 at the Valley emphasises the threat he poses. 

With this being the first week of Liam Rosenior’s reign at Chelsea, he’ll no doubt want to get off to a strong start. Across the Blues last six matches, they’ve allowed opposition centre-backs nine shots at goal, and with set plays so key to their hosts attacking set-up, they’ll need to keep an eye on the aerially dominant Jones.