Digressive Celts

Matches › 2020/21

Celtic 3–0 Dundee United

Wednesday 30 December 2020, 15:00 · Celtic Park · Round 21 · Half-time 2–0

Celtic Soro 23', Turnbull 40', Edouard 76'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

CelticDundee United
Goals30
xG2.090.95
Expected Points2.170.60

Celtic 65%Draw 22%Dundee United 13%

Most likely score 2–1, 14%. Final score 3–0, 7%.

Dundee United goalsCeltic goals0123456+0123456+3%3%2%8%5%1%7%1%7%9%4%3%4%2%1%12%11%14%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

01230153045607590HTBitton on for Jullien, 51'Rogic on for Turnbull and Ajeti on for Griffiths, 77'Brown on for Soro and Elyounoussi on for Edouard, 80'McMullan on for Shankland, 68'Powers on for Pawlett, 74'Bolton on for Smith and Sporle on for Robson, 83'Soro 23'Turnbull 40'Edouard 76'Celtic 2.09Dundee United 0.9501230153045607590HTBitton on for Jullien, 51'Rogic on for Turnbull and Ajeti on for Griffiths, 77'Brown on for Soro and Elyounoussi on for Edouard, 80'McMullan on for Shankland, 68'Powers on for Pawlett, 74'Bolton on for Smith and Sporle on for Robson, 83'Soro 23'Turnbull 40'Edouard 76'2.090.95CelticDundee United

Each side's xG added up shot by shot through the match. Triangles along the foot mark each side's substitutions.

Match stats

CelticDundee United

2.09 −0.13xG0.95 +0.05
2.46 −0.01xG on target0.22 −0.64
24 +5.0Shots8 −1.2
9 +1.7Shots on target3 +0.4
3 −0.1Big chances2 +0.9
43 +14Touches in the opposition box14 +4
73% +6Possession27% −20
714 +121Passes258 −103
89% +4Pass accuracy68% +2
88% +15Field tilt12% −26
76 +6Final-third entries22 −8
26 +8.8Box entries8 +0.8
9.1 −1Passes per defensive action27.6 +12
5 −1.7Corners3 −1.2
13 0Tackles18 +4
5 −4.1Interceptions13 +1.8
7 −7Clearances21 −4
2 +0.7Saves6 +2.6
11 0Fouls5 −8
4 +2.9Offsides0 −1.4

The small figure beside each value is its difference from the side's average per league match this season before this one. Field tilt is each side's share of the open-play passes completed in the final third; entries are completed open-play passes and carries into the final third and the box; passes per defensive action (PPDA) counts the opponent's passes in its own 60% of the pitch for each tackle, interception, challenge, or foul there.

Chance locations

Celtic

Griffiths 33', 0.56 xGEdouard 71', 0.42 xGEdouard 33', 0.10 xGGriffiths 11', 0.09 xGTurnbull 59', 0.07 xGMcGregor 73', 0.07 xGEdouard 66', 0.06 xGElyounoussi 85', 0.06 xGEdouard 4', 0.05 xGGriffiths 66', 0.05 xGGriffiths 71', 0.05 xGElyounoussi 87', 0.05 xGRogic 90', 0.05 xGChristie 18', 0.04 xGChristie 29', 0.04 xGSoro 3', 0.03 xGTurnbull 14', 0.03 xGMcGregor 15', 0.03 xGGriffiths 22', 0.03 xGGriffiths 63', 0.03 xGLaxalt 83', 0.03 xGEdouard 76', 0.09 xG, goalSoro 23', 0.03 xG, goalTurnbull 40', 0.03 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals66%1.38 xGCentral box: 8 shots, 1.38 xG, 0 goals7%0.14 xGWide in the box: 2 shots, 0.14 xG, 0 goals21%0.44 xGEdge of the box: 10 shots, 0.44 xG, 2 goals7%0.14 xGFurther out: 4 shots, 0.14 xG, 1 goal

Dundee United

McNulty 47', 0.36 xGClark 63', 0.30 xGEdwards 80', 0.09 xGEdwards 34', 0.05 xGClark 42', 0.05 xGPawlett 20', 0.04 xGConnolly 78', 0.04 xGShankland 51', 0.03 xG0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals51%0.48 xGCentral box: 4 shots, 0.48 xG, 0 goals38%0.36 xGWide in the box: 1 shot, 0.36 xG, 0 goals12%0.11 xGEdge of the box: 3 shots, 0.11 xG, 0 goals0%0.00 xGFurther out: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals

Each area's share of the side's xG from open play and set pieces, with the xG in it. The two wide areas of the box count together, as on the club pages. Shots shows each of those shots instead, sized by its xG, with goals filled in.

Chance types

CelticDundee United

1.59 21 shots, 3 goalsOpen play0.73 4 shots, 0 goals
0.50 3 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces0.22 4 shots, 0 goals

xG by type of chance, with each side's shots and goals beside it.

Game state

Level
23 min (26%) · Celtic 0.33, Dundee United 0.04 xG
Celtic ahead
67 min (74%) · Celtic 1.76, Dundee United 0.91 xG

Line-ups

1302359312171442922BarkasFrimpongJullienAjerLaxaltSoroChristieTurnbullMcGregorGriffithsEdouardGoalGoalGoal51'80'77'77'80'Celtic 4-1-3-2Neil Lennon1251261710238924SiegristSmithConnollyEdwardsReynoldsRobsonClarkHarkesPawlettMcNultyShanklandYellow cardYellow card83'83'74'68'Dundee United 5-3-2Micky Mellon

Celtic substitutes

  • 51' Bitton for Jullien
  • 77' Ajeti for Griffiths
  • 77' Rogic for Turnbull
  • 80' Brown for Soro
  • 80' Elyounoussi for Edouard

Dundee United substitutes

  • 68' McMullan for Shankland
  • 74' Powers for Pawlett
  • 83' Sporle for Robson
  • 83' Bolton for Smith

Players

Celtic

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
BarkasGK900.000.0000.0221
FrimpongRB900.000.6530.41225
JullienCB510.000.0000.0652
AjerCB900.000.0100.1075
LaxaltLB900.030.0610.0823
SoroDM80110.060.0520.0763
ChristieCM900.080.1730.14113
TurnbullAM7710.130.5530.2450
McGregorCM9010.100.1030.0272
GriffithsST7710.810.4020.1620
EdouardST8010.720.051−0.0121
BittonDF390.000.0000.0640
AjetiFW130.000.000−0.0100
RogicFW130.050.0310.0820
BrownMF100.000.0100.0330
ElyounoussiFW100.100.1010.1121

Dundee United

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
SiegristGK900.000.0100.0642
Smith RWB830.000.0300.1178
ConnollyCB900.040.000−0.0646
EdwardsCB900.140.0000.0226
ReynoldsCB900.000.0000.0438
RobsonLWB830.000.0010.0025
ClarkCM900.350.153−0.0116
HarkesCM900.000.010−0.0216
Pawlett CM740.040.0000.0117
McNultyST900.360.010−0.0201
ShanklandST680.030.2730.1562
McMullanFW220.000.0200.0521
PowersDF160.000.0000.0110
SporleDF70.000.0000.0110
BoltonFW70.000.0000.0003

Starters, then substitutes in the order they came on. KP is chances created and Def defensive actions (tackles, blocks, clearances, and interceptions). xT is the expected threat added by the player's completed open-play passes and carries, and Prog counts progressive passes and carries.

Pass networks

Celtic

Jullien and McGregor: 5 passesLaxalt and Soro: 5 passesChristie and McGregor: 5 passesBarkas and Jullien: 6 passesJullien and Christie: 6 passesTurnbull and Christie: 7 passesTurnbull and Edouard: 7 passesJullien and Soro: 8 passesLaxalt and Turnbull: 8 passesMcGregor and Edouard: 8 passesAjer and Turnbull: 10 passesSoro and Turnbull: 11 passesSoro and Christie: 11 passesSoro and McGregor: 11 passesFrimpong and Soro: 12 passesFrimpong and Christie: 12 passesFrimpong and Jullien: 13 passesAjer and Soro: 13 passesAjer and Laxalt: 14 passesAjer and McGregor: 19 passesJullien and Ajer: 27 passesTurnbull and McGregor: 27 passesLaxalt and McGregor: 28 passesBarkas: 12 completed passesFrimpong: 28 completed passesJullien: 36 completed passesAjer: 48 completed passesLaxalt: 35 completed passesSoro: 41 completed passesTurnbull: 40 completed passesChristie: 23 completed passesMcGregor: 53 completed passesEdouard: 14 completed passesGriffiths: 9 completed passes1302359312141742229BarkasFrimpongJullienAjerLaxaltSoroTurnbullChristieMcGregorEdouardGriffithsStarters until 51' · lines join pairs with 5+ passes

Dundee United

Siegrist and Shankland: 3 passesSmith and Shankland: 3 passesEdwards and Clark: 3 passesRobson and Harkes: 3 passesHarkes and Clark: 3 passesHarkes and Shankland: 3 passesHarkes and McNulty: 3 passesPawlett and Clark: 3 passesSiegrist and Robson: 4 passesSmith and Connolly: 4 passesReynolds and Robson: 5 passesShankland and McNulty: 5 passesSmith and Harkes: 6 passesConnolly and Edwards: 6 passesConnolly and Shankland: 6 passesReynolds and Pawlett: 6 passesReynolds and Shankland: 6 passesRobson and Shankland: 6 passesHarkes and Pawlett: 6 passesPawlett and Shankland: 7 passesClark and Shankland: 7 passesEdwards and Pawlett: 8 passesSmith and Clark: 9 passesSiegrist: 8 completed passesSmith: 13 completed passesConnolly: 13 completed passesEdwards: 13 completed passesReynolds: 15 completed passesRobson: 13 completed passesHarkes: 14 completed passesPawlett: 16 completed passesClark: 12 completed passesShankland: 20 completed passesMcNulty: 3 completed passes1251261723810249SiegristSmithConnollyEdwardsReynoldsRobsonHarkesPawlettClarkShanklandMcNultyStarters until 68' · lines join pairs with 3+ passes

Each starter at the average position of their passes and receptions until the side's first substitution or red card, sized by completed passes. Lines join pairs who passed to each other often, thicker for more passes.

Passing combinations

Celtic

FromToPasses
LaxaltMcGregor25
McGregorLaxalt21
AjerLaxalt19
McGregorTurnbull17
TurnbullMcGregor15

Dundee United

FromToPasses
ClarkSmith6
SmithClark6
ShanklandClark6
ReynoldsShankland5
EdwardsPawlett5

The five pairs with the most completed passes from one to the other over the whole match.

Defensive actions

Celtic

1−3.24−0.36−2.82−1.70−4.710+2.33−2.66+2.06−0.45−3.33−2.68+2.34+1.41−3.55−1.13−0.66+2.26+3.15+1.24+0.14+2.14+1.88+6.30−2.62−0.60−0.30−0.51+0.22+1.41+0.2FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 17 matches

Dundee United

6+0.812+5.022+5.67−0.17−0.24−2.74−3.615+8.715+7.76−4.14−1.26+0.94−0.19+4.04−1.64−0.21−2.04+1.82−0.34+0.620.01−0.50−0.82+0.64+2.20−0.70−0.10−0.43+2.80−0.7FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 20 matches

Where each side made its tackles, interceptions, clearances, blocks, recoveries, challenges, and fouls, attacking up the page. Areas are shaded by the difference from the side's average per match this season before this one: amber for more, blue for fewer.

Threat

Celtic

0.010.010.010.010.030.020.040.010.010.040.060.030.040.020.020.090.130.060.090.090.130.070.110.02−0.110.030.080.180.21LessMore

Dundee United

0.010.050.010.010.030.010.020.030.030.010.020.040.040.020.02−0.020.030.020.02−0.02−0.10−0.020.11LessMore

Expected threat added by completed open-play passes and carries, by where the move started, attacking up the page. Expected threat is the chance that possession in an area leads to a goal; a move adds the difference between where it ends and where it starts.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.0League average 1.20AttackCeltic2.06 → 2.04Dundee United0.92 → 0.92Defence (lower is better)Celtic0.79 → 0.79Dundee United1.26 → 1.25

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday (ring) and after it (dot); a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs after the matchday, spread up and down only so they don't overlap. The change takes in the whole matchday.

League probabilities

ChanceBeforeWith this resultChange
Celtic
Title5%6%+1
Dundee United
Top six37%33%−4
11th2%2%0
Livingston
Top six60%61%+1
Motherwell
Top six30%31%+1
Bottom1%1%0

From the forecast before the match (30 December 2020): each chance then, and across the simulations in which the match ended this way. The change is in percentage points.

Pre-match

As things stood before kick-off.

Forecast

CelticDundee United
Expected goals2.280.63
Win74%8%
Expected Points2.410.42
Clean sheet53%10%

Celtic 74%Draw 17%Dundee United 8%

Most likely score 2–0, 14%. Both sides score 42%.

Dundee United goalsCeltic goals0123456+0123456+6%3%1%8%2%9%3%7%2%6%4%1%3%2%2%1%12%14%11%

From the forecast as it stood on 30 December 2020: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowCeltic winDrawDundee United win
Celtic
Title5%6%3%2%
Dundee United
Top six37%33%44%56%
11th2%2%1%<1%
Livingston
Top six60%61%58%53%
Motherwell
Top six30%31%29%26%
Bottom1%1%1%1%

Each chance before the match and across the simulations ending in each result. Other teams are listed where a chance moves by at least 3 percentage points.

Form

Celtic

  1. W3–026 DecHamilton Academical (A)xG 3.69–0.09
  2. W2–023 DecRoss County (H)xG 2.15–0.29
  3. W2–013 DecKilmarnock (H)xG 1.83–0.79
  4. D1–16 DecSt. Johnstone (H)xG 1.73–1.30
  5. D2–221 NovHibernian (A)xG 1.91–1.54
  6. W4–18 NovMotherwell (A)xG 2.84–1.66

Dundee United

  1. D1–126 DecMotherwell (H)xG 0.67–1.82
  2. W2–023 DecKilmarnock (H)xG 0.93–0.65
  3. D1–119 DecHibernian (A)xG 1.43–2.12
  4. L1–213 DecRangers (H)xG 0.43–1.34
  5. L0–25 DecLivingston (A)xG 0.42–1.20
  6. W2–121 NovHamilton Academical (H)xG 0.73–1.44

The last six league matches, newest first, with xG for and against.

Season to date

CelticDundee United
Position2nd5th
Played1720
Won, drawn, lost12–⁠4–⁠16–⁠7–⁠7
Points40 (2.35 per game)25 (1.25 per game)
Expected Points per game2.061.00
Goals42–⁠1417–⁠24
xG per game2.22–⁠0.970.90–⁠1.47
Home: points, xG per game2.38, 2.04–⁠0.821.36, 0.90–⁠1.44
Away: points, xG per game2.33, 2.38–⁠1.111.11, 0.90–⁠1.51
ManagerNeil Lennon (17)Micky Mellon (20)

League matches this season before kick-off. The manager's number is league matches in charge since 2020/21.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.02.5League average 1.20AttackCeltic2.06, 2ndDundee United0.92, 10thDefence (lower is better)Celtic0.79, 2ndDundee United1.26, 8th

This season

Attack0.00.51.01.52.02.53.0SepOctNovDecCeltic attack: 2.06Dundee United attack: 0.922.060.92Dundee UnitedCelticDefence (lower is better)0.00.51.01.52.02.53.0SepOctNovDecCeltic defence: 0.79Dundee United defence: 1.261.260.79

The goals each side would score (attack) and concede (defence) per game against an average team, from the forecast ratings before this matchday, with their rank among the league's clubs; a lower defence number is better. Grey dots are the other clubs, spread up and down only so they don't overlap.

Strengths and weaknesses

CelticDundee United
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play+79%−47%−30%+25%
Counter-attacks+262%−40%+85%+138%
Set pieces+31%−13%−41%+7%
Penalties+49%+49%−49%−75%
Headers+22%−50%−61%+22%
Left side+79%−34%+4%+34%
Centre+71%−25%−51%+4%
Right side+65%−60%−23%+46%

xG created and conceded per game against the league average this season: +24% is 24% more than an average side. Left and right are each side's own, so chances conceded on its left come from opponents attacking down their right. Green favours the side and amber doesn't.

Matchups

Celtic attacking

Celtic createdDundee United concededLeft side+79%+46%Centre+71%+4%Right side+65%+34%Open play+79%+25%Counter-attacks+262%+138%Set pieces+31%+7%Headers+22%+22%

Dundee United attacking

Dundee United createdCeltic concededLeft side+4%−60%Centre−51%−25%Right side−23%−34%Open play−30%−47%Counter-attacks+85%−40%Set pieces−41%−13%Headers−61%−50%

Each side's xG created per game down each side of the pitch, through the centre, and from each type of chance, against what its opponent concedes there, both relative to the league average.

Season averages

CelticDundee United

2.22xG0.90
0.97xG against1.47
67%Possession47%
19.0Shots9.2
7.6Shots against15.0
7.3Shots on target2.6
3.1Big chances1.1
29.2Touches in the opposition box10.2
593Passes361
86%Pass accuracy66%
6.7Corners4.2
73%Field tilt38%
69.7Final-third entries30.0
17.2Box entries7.2
10.2Passes per defensive action16.1

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Celtic

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level412.201.03
Ahead392.370.95
Behind101.750.76

Dundee United

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level480.701.25
Ahead201.131.35
Behind221.142.07

xG by period

Celtic

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.280.154–2
16–300.320.167–2
31–450.350.094–2
46–600.410.218–3
61–750.420.196–2
76–900.460.1713–3

Dundee United

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.130.132–3
16–300.190.184–3
31–450.120.283–3
46–600.180.233–3
61–750.040.340–6
76–900.240.325–6

Per game this season, with stoppage time counted in its half; goals are totals for and against.

Most used players by position

Celtic

GKRBCBCBLBDMDMRWAMLWSTBarkas 10Bain 4Hazard 3Frimpong 11Elhamed 3Bitton 1Jullien 8Duffy 7Bitton 4Ajer 14Welsh 1Taylor 7Laxalt 5Edouard 2Brown 7Christie 3Soro 3McGregor 17Ntcham 2Forrest 1Christie 6Frimpong 3Forrest 3Turnbull 4Ntcham 4Brown 3Elyounoussi 6Edouard 4Taylor 3Edouard 4Ajeti 4Elyounoussi 34-2-3-1 in 8 of 17 starts

Formations: 4-2-3-1 (8), 3-5-2 (4), 4-1-3-2 (1), 3-4-2-1 (1), 3-5-1-1 (1), 3-4-1-2 (1), 3-1-4-2 (1)

Dundee United

GKRBCBCBLBRMCMCMLMSTSTSiegrist 19Mehmet 1Smith 7Bolton 4Neilson 4Connolly 11Edwards 11Reynolds 18Robson 12Butcher 3Sporle 2Bolton 8Smith 3Chalmers 3Butcher 10Powers 2McMullan 1Harkes 14Pawlett 8Fuchs 4Robson 5Sporle 4Bolton 3Clark 12McNulty 6Chalmers 1Shankland 13Butcher 3Appere 34-4-2 in 8 of 20 starts

Formations: 4-4-2 (8), 3-5-2 (6), 4-1-4-1 (2), 5-4-1 (1), 5-3-2 (1), 3-4-1-2 (1), 4-5-1 (1)

This season's most used formation, with up to three players who started most often in each position and their league starts there. Underneath, when a side has used more than one, every formation with its starts.

Head to head

DateHomeAwayxG
22 August 2020Dundee United0–1CelticxG 0.29–3.00

1 league meeting since 2020/21: Celtic won 1, Dundee United won 0, and 0 were drawn. Goals 1–0 and xG 3.00–0.29 per game.

Key players

Celtic

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Edouard10885620.890.21
Elyounoussi11837610.600.10
Christie131,162360.340.31
Forrest5484210.280.23

Dundee United

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Clark141,159800.390.03
Shankland131,238310.220.10
Pawlett10912100.160.16
Sporle7719110.120.16

Up to four players a side with the most xG plus xA per 90 minutes, from those with at least 450 league minutes.