The most risk-averse defences in 'The 92'

'Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles' or so the saying goes, and this article takes a look beyond clean sheets and goals conceded to evaluate which teams in 'The 92' have limited their opposition to the fewest shots on goal this season. 

When it comes to limiting opponents to few chances, there are only FIVE teams across the top four tiers that can boast of conceding fewer than 10 shots per game on average in league play this season: two of them fighting it out for the Premier League title and the other three all well-placed for automatic promotion in the EFL...so the saying at the top of the article is not too far off the money!

Let's kick off in the Premier League, which boasts the two stingiest defences in 'The 92' when it comes to limiting shots on their own goal. Tied on just 8.3 shots conceded per game are Arsenal and Man City, who rank first and third in the top flight when it comes to actual goals conceded in the Prem this season: the Gunners (24) shipping the fewest in the division, with City (28) not too far behind. 

If we move onto the EFL, one team per division has a shots conceded per game average under 10. In the Championship, you need look no further than table toppers Leeds United, who have rationed their opposition to a miserly 9.4 shots a game so far this season - Daniel Farke's side currently unbeaten in league play since the turn of the year. 

Dropping a division, Paul Warne's Derby County are the team to beat when it comes to stymieing the opposition: the Rams also giving up just 9.4 shots per game on average in League One so far this term. 

And last, but not least, Stockport County top League Two in this stat category. The Hatters currently sit second in the table behind Mansfield with the third-best attack (70 goals) and second-best defence (40 conceded), and Dave Challinor's side cough up just 9.5 shots on goal on average. 

For the full list, please check out the graphic below (and feel free to give us a follow on X if you haven't already!). 

🛡️ Fewer than 10 shots conceded per game (top 4 tiers; 2023/24):

⛔️ 8.3: Arsenal, Man City
⛔️ 9.4: Leeds, Derby
⛔️ 9.5: Stockport#PL #EFL #AFC #LUFC #DCFC #stockportcounty pic.twitter.com/lFQhD8aUQA

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) March 21, 2024