Total Shots Betting in Football Explained

Total shots betting is among the more exciting niche football markets today. It’s a convenient option for anyone looking to wager on alternatives to standard match outcomes.

Our comprehensive guide covers how shots betting and betting on total shots on target works. You can also find our expert strategy tips that can help improve your chances of success.

What is Total Shots in Football & How Does It Work?

Total shots is a football betting market that lets you bet on the number of shots in a game. For example, you may wager on any of Bruno Fernandes, Harry Kane, or Kevin de Bruyne to have 3+ shots. You can also find free football betting tips for wagering on the number of shots by a team or the total from outfield players in a game.

It’s crucial to understand what defines a single shot before wagering on this market. In most cases, the definition of a shot is a deliberate attempt to score a goal – whether it’s on target, off target, or blocked, is irrelevant. Although there is a separate total shots on target market, which we’ll discuss a little later.

Online betting sites generally frame their total shots odds in over/under markets. For example, Fernandes +2 total shots in a match. Or team-specific total shots markets like Manchester City over/under 25.5 total shots in their Premier League match against Arsenal. These types of shots markets are also popular.

You don’t need to predict the precise number of shots in either case. Once your prediction is correct and falls above or below the number of shots set by the bookie, your bet wins. But if you bet Over 25.5 in a match and 24 total shots are scored, for example, you lose your bet.

Total Shots on Target Betting & How It Works

There is a distinction between the total number of shots on target wagers and total shots betting meaning you should be careful before you bet. You can find a succinct shot on target definition from Opta, which provides most reputable UK bookies with their data for settling bets.

Essentially, total shots count all attempts at goal, while total number of shots on target only count those that would have resulted in goals. More precisely, had they not been saved by the goalkeeper or blocked by the last-line defender. Shots that hit the woodwork, miss the target entirely, or are blocked by any other defender are not considered on target.

With that explanation out of the way, we should emphasise that this market is fun. It works fairly similarly to betting on total shots, following the same over/under football betting market framework. Odds are often more attractive, given shots on target account for only a subset of total shots in any game.

Shots on target also require greater precision from players. This can make it a little tougher to predict how many will be registered by even a star striker, let alone an entire team.

Best Bookies for Total Shots Betting

Some online betting sites are better than others for total shots betting markets. This is down to the range of options available and the odds you can get. For example, we like using bet365 as they offer several markets for total shots.

Whether it’s pre-match or in-play total shots markets, bet365 makes them easy to find and even simpler to bet on. Only Paddy Power, in our opinion, can match the bookie in this department. Alongside top markets like Both Teams to Score (BTTS) as they have a similar standard of quality when it comes to both team and total shots on goal/player shots markets.

Spreadex is another great choice for shots bets, given you can wager on both fixed odds and spread football markets. They also provide comprehensive shot statistics for high-profile matches that can give you a great idea of who or what to bet on.

William Hill isn’t too far behind these bookies. What we like most about their coverage is they offer early payout options on selected total shots markets.

Effective Total Shots Betting Strategy

The total shots market is slightly more sophisticated than a simple win draw win bet. Use these strategy tips to improve your chances of winning.

Consider xG When Betting on Player Shots Markets

We always weigh up Expected Goal (xG) metrics for forwards and attacking midfielders before betting. Strikers hitting three-plus shots per match are top candidates for wagering on, given they are more precise with their output. We follow a similar path of logic with correct score betting and other markets.

Player shots markets can sometimes offer excellent value for defenders or midfielders, too. This is why it’s also an idea to consider the shooting tendencies of individual players. This can help with getting a hold of some value.

Weigh Up Team Playing Styles & Stats

It’s also important to understand how the styles of teams play into probable shots and shots on target/total shots on goal. The latest Premier League stats, for example, may show teams with a possession-based approach creating more shots per game. Think about this, alongside other statistics around shot attempts.

Think About Individual Fixture Dynamics

Treat each game as it comes, adapting your strategy around how things may play out. There should be shots per game, for example, in an open La Liga match between the champions and relegation candidates than in a cup final between two defensive-minded sides. Match context matters, so also weigh up if a side needs several goals to qualify for Europe or overturn a first-leg hammering.

Bet on Players Likely to Play 90 Minutes

This is a point often overlooked in favour of metrics for total shots on goal and shots on target stats for specific teams. Players that stay on the pitch longer, especially forwards, have more time to convert a higher percentage of their shots into shots on target. You want to pick players for singles or Bet Builders with multiple clear opportunities/efforts on target over 90 minutes.

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