Nottingham Forest’s struggles under Ange Postecoglou have been well documented and playing a key role in their difficulties is their fragility when defending set pieces. Only West Ham have conceded more shots from set plays than the hosts with the bulk of those coming since Ange’s arrival and with them having shipped six goals from dead-ball situations across his seven games in charge, we can expect Chelsea to target this weakness.

The Blues have been suffering from an injury crisis at centre back but Trevoh Chalobah is expected to return after the international break. He’s taken eight shots in Premier League action this season at an average of 1.49 per 90 and has netted twice already and with 75% of his efforts coming from set pieces, he looks the most likely candidate to profit from Forest’s Achilles heel.

Oxford sit sixth in the Championship for shots taken this season with 13.78 per game and at home are averaging over 16. Key to their renewed attacking approach is winger Przemyslaw Placheta who is averaging 3.3 shots per 90 and has managed at least two efforts in four of his last five appearances.

Opponents Derby are conceding 14.5 shots per game on their travels with all four opponents hitting double figures. The Rams built a reputation as a defensively solid side last season under John Eustace but are struggling with injuries to key players in this campaign which provides the perfect opportunity for Oxford and Placheta to capitalise.

Blackburn midfielder Sondre Tronstad is in excellent shooting form with eight shots in his last five league starts, landing at least one in all of those games. The Norwegian has been given more attacking freedom under Valerien Ismael and is clearly happy to shoot from range with seven of his ten shots coming from outside the box. 

League leaders Coventry come into this game in sparkling form, however, they’ve looked far from solid defensively, giving up over 10 shots per game. The Sky Blues should dominate this fixture but with 39% of the shots they’ve conceded coming from outside the box and Tronstad’s freedom to pull the trigger, he looks to be one of Rovers’ most likely shooters. 

Another side who appear to be prioritising attack over defence are Watford who have taken the third most shots of any Championship side. Imran Louza has been heavily involved in that threat, averaging 2.51 shots per 90. The Moroccan has fired off eleven shots in his last four starts, finding the back of the net twice and so should also be full of confidence for this trip to Bramall Lane.

Despite the return of Chris Wilder, Sheffield United continue to struggle and prop up the second tier. The Blades have shipped 13.22 shots per game and have given up double figures in all but two of their league games. The last three teams to visit Bramall Lane have managed 42 shots between them and so there should be plenty of opportunities for Louza to have an impact in the final third.

Having nailed down a spot as Arsenal’s starting left back this season, Riccardo Calafiori looks keen to keep it, averaging 2.38 shots per 90. The Italian has taken at least two shots in five of his seven league starts, even managing three against Leeds, Liverpool and Man City. He’s a threat from range with four of his efforts coming from outside the box and is also dangerous from set pieces and seems hungry for more goals after his winner at Old Trafford on opening day.

Opponents Fulham have been relatively solid this season, conceding just 10.14 shots per game. However, their last eight meetings with the Gunners have seen them ship 16.13 per game with Arteta’s men managing 25 shots across their last two visits to Craven Cottage. With Calafiori clearly being given licence to shoot from anywhere, he looks a lovely price to continue shooting on sight on Saturday evening.