Digressive Celts

Matches › 2020/21

Motherwell 2–1 Dundee United

Wednesday 3 February 2021, 18:00 · Fir Park · Round 27 · Half-time 2–0

Motherwell Cole 23', Long 28'

Dundee United Edwards 80'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

MotherwellDundee United
Goals21
xG1.900.97
Expected Points2.050.71

Motherwell 60%Draw 24%Dundee United 16%

Most likely score 2–1, 13%. Final score 2–1, 13%.

Dundee United goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+4%4%2%5%1%7%2%7%8%4%1%2%3%1%10%12%11%13%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

00.511.520153045607590HTSmith on for Long, 73'McGinley on for Watt, 81'Foley on for McGinley, 89'Pawlett on for Clark, 46'Cole 23'Long 28'Edwards 80'Motherwell 1.90Dundee United 0.9700.511.520153045607590HTSmith on for Long, 73'McGinley on for Watt, 81'Foley on for McGinley, 89'Pawlett on for Clark, 46'Cole 23'Long 28'Edwards 80'1.900.97MotherwellDundee United

Each side's xG added up shot by shot through the match. Stoppage time is shaded as far as the last shot or event recorded in it. Triangles along the foot mark each side's substitutions.

Match stats

MotherwellDundee United

1.90 +0.78xG0.97 +0.10
2.19 +1.24xG on target1.03 +0.24
13 +2.2Shots15 +6.0
6 +2.8Shots on target3 +0.4
3 +1.7Big chances1 0.0
23 +3Touches in the opposition box30 +18
34% −12Possession66% +19
282 −69Passes555 +187
64% −6Pass accuracy77% +11
29% −9Field tilt71% +32
23 −9Final-third entries42 +11
15 +5.1Box entries18 +10.4
18.7 +4Passes per defensive action11.0 −5
4 −1.1Corners4 −0.2
17 +3Tackles17 +4
10 −1Interceptions7 −5
36 +14Clearances9 −16
2 −0.7Saves4 +0.7
7 −5Fouls7 −6
3 +0.9Offsides0 −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

Motherwell

Cole 67', 0.40 xGWatt 18', 0.35 xGCole 30', 0.12 xGWatt 70', 0.10 xGWatt 57', 0.09 xGMugabi 18', 0.08 xGSmith 90+2', 0.08 xGLong 65', 0.05 xGLong 39', 0.04 xGMaguire 19', 0.03 xGCarroll 37', 0.03 xGCole 23', 0.50 xG, goalLong 28', 0.04 xG, goal45%0.85 xGSix-yard box: 2 shots, 0.85 xG, 1 goal37%0.70 xGCentral box: 4 shots, 0.70 xG, 0 goals13%0.25 xGWide in the box: 4 shots, 0.25 xG, 0 goals5%0.10 xGEdge of the box: 3 shots, 0.10 xG, 1 goal0%0.00 xGFurther out: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals

Dundee United

Sporle 88', 0.28 xGSporle 69', 0.09 xGShankland 63', 0.07 xGEdwards 90+4', 0.07 xGSporle 90+4', 0.06 xGShankland 30', 0.05 xGSporle 54', 0.05 xGShankland 59', 0.05 xGShankland 71', 0.04 xGFuchs 3', 0.03 xGShankland 13', 0.03 xGFuchs 45', 0.03 xGFuchs 49', 0.03 xGButcher 80', 0.03 xGEdwards 80', 0.06 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals62%0.61 xGCentral box: 6 shots, 0.61 xG, 1 goal15%0.15 xGWide in the box: 3 shots, 0.15 xG, 0 goals22%0.22 xGEdge of the box: 6 shots, 0.22 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

MotherwellDundee United

0.80 8 shots, 1 goalOpen play0.66 9 shots, 0 goals
0.17 2 shots, 0 goalsCounter-attacks0.00 0 shots, 0 goals
0.93 3 shots, 1 goalSet pieces0.31 6 shots, 1 goal

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

Game state

Level
23 min (24%) · Motherwell 0.96, Dundee United 0.06 xG
Motherwell ahead
71 min (76%) · Motherwell 0.94, Dundee United 0.91 xG

Line-ups

13331643681594432KellyO'DonnellMugabiLamieCarrollCampbellCrawfordMaguireLongColeWattGoalGoal73'81'Motherwell 4-3-3Graham Alexander112181721066233924SiegristEdwardsButcherRobsonSmithClarkFuchsHarkesSporleMcNultyShanklandGoalYellow card46'Dundee United 3-5-2Micky Mellon

Motherwell substitutes

  • 73' Smith for Long
  • 81' McGinley for Watt · off 89'
  • 89' Foley for McGinley

Dundee United substitutes

  • 46' Pawlett for Clark

Players

Motherwell

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
KellyGK900.000.0000.0120
O'DonnellRB900.000.0600.17116
MugabiCB900.080.0000.01115
LamieCB900.000.0010.00019
CarrollLB900.030.2310.2377
CampbellCM900.000.0220.0434
CrawfordCM900.000.0110.0137
MaguireCM900.030.1310.0015
LongRW7310.120.0700.1230
ColeST90111.020.0530.1144
WattLW810.540.4020.2182
SmithFW170.080.0000.0000
McGinleyMF80.000.000––0
FoleyMF10.000.0000.0012

Dundee United

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
SiegristGK900.000.0000.0210
EdwardsCB9010.130.0210.0692
ButcherCB900.030.0400.1296
RobsonCB900.000.0300.0543
SmithRWB900.000.0310.0774
ClarkCM460.000.030−0.0122
FuchsCM900.080.0100.0858
Harkes CM900.000.0400.0351
SporleLWB9010.480.0610.1233
McNultyST900.000.1110.1842
ShanklandST900.250.1720.0612
PawlettMF440.000.1510.29102

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

Motherwell

O'Donnell and Crawford: 4 passesCrawford and Campbell: 4 passesCrawford and Long: 4 passesMaguire and Watt: 4 passesCampbell and Long: 4 passesKelly and O'Donnell: 5 passesO'Donnell and Mugabi: 5 passesMugabi and Lamie: 5 passesCarroll and Cole: 5 passesO'Donnell and Watt: 6 passesMugabi and Campbell: 6 passesLamie and Carroll: 6 passesLong and Cole: 6 passesKelly and Lamie: 7 passesCole and Watt: 8 passesO'Donnell and Long: 10 passesO'Donnell and Cole: 10 passesCarroll and Watt: 11 passesO'Donnell and Campbell: 12 passesCarroll and Maguire: 13 passesKelly: 13 completed passesO'Donnell: 27 completed passesMugabi: 15 completed passesLamie: 13 completed passesCarroll: 23 completed passesCrawford: 15 completed passesMaguire: 19 completed passesCampbell: 16 completed passesLong: 12 completed passesCole: 12 completed passesWatt: 15 completed passes13331643815694432KellyO'DonnellMugabiLamieCarrollCrawfordMaguireCampbellLongColeWattStarters until 73' · lines join pairs with 4+ passes

Dundee United

Siegrist and Robson: 3 passesRobson and Fuchs: 3 passesShankland and McNulty: 3 passesSiegrist and Butcher: 4 passesEdwards and Harkes: 4 passesEdwards and Shankland: 4 passesButcher and Fuchs: 4 passesButcher and Harkes: 4 passesSmith and Clark: 4 passesSporle and Clark: 4 passesSporle and Shankland: 4 passesHarkes and McNulty: 4 passesButcher and Clark: 5 passesRobson and Sporle: 5 passesSmith and Harkes: 5 passesSmith and Shankland: 5 passesSmith and McNulty: 5 passesSporle and Fuchs: 5 passesFuchs and Harkes: 5 passesButcher and Smith: 7 passesClark and McNulty: 7 passesRobson and Harkes: 8 passesSiegrist and Edwards: 11 passesEdwards and Robson: 11 passesSmith and Fuchs: 11 passesEdwards and Butcher: 20 passesSiegrist: 7 completed passesEdwards: 29 completed passesButcher: 25 completed passesRobson: 21 completed passesSmith: 23 completed passesSporle: 10 completed passesFuchs: 17 completed passesHarkes: 18 completed passesClark: 13 completed passesShankland: 7 completed passesMcNulty: 12 completed passes112181723662310249SiegristEdwardsButcherRobsonSmithSporleFuchsHarkesClarkShanklandMcNultyStarters until 46' · 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

Motherwell

FromToPasses
CarrollWatt9
MaguireCarroll8
O'DonnellCampbell8
CampbellO'Donnell7
O'DonnellCole7

Dundee United

FromToPasses
ButcherEdwards22
EdwardsButcher17
FuchsSmith15
HarkesSmith14
RobsonEdwards14

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

Defensive actions

Motherwell

2−2.65−1.626+11.012+3.610+3.93−3.513+5.211+5.218+10.915+8.06+1.15−0.36+2.25−0.58+3.11−2.42−1.25+2.51−2.23−0.73+0.71−0.62+1.23+1.50−2.20−0.90−0.62+1.00−0.50−0.9FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 24 matches

Dundee United

3−2.22−4.95−2.34−3.43−3.610+2.68+1.06−1.85−4.910+4.84−1.21−3.48+2.73−2.46+2.01−2.45+2.53+0.36+2.67+5.03+1.81+0.12+0.40−1.90−0.60−0.11+0.60−0.40−0.69−7.9FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 26 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

Motherwell

0.010.010.040.010.010.020.020.010.030.120.030.030.050.020.080.010.020.070.33LessMore

Dundee United

0.010.010.020.030.020.020.030.030.060.010.020.020.030.07−0.010.070.080.030.040.140.040.010.030.040.020.23LessMore

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 1.19AttackMotherwell1.04 → 1.07Dundee United0.89 → 0.88Defence (lower is better)Motherwell1.39 → 1.39Dundee United1.37 → 1.40

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
Motherwell
Top six5%9%+4
11th11%6%−5
Bottom4%2%−2
Dundee United
Top six5%2%−3
11th8%12%+4
Bottom2%3%+1
St. Mirren
Top six73%73%0

From the forecast before the match (3 February 2021): 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

MotherwellDundee United
Expected goals1.261.07
Win40%31%
Expected Points1.491.22
Clean sheet34%28%

Motherwell 40%Draw 29%Dundee United 31%

Most likely score 1–1, 14%. Both sides score 48%.

Dundee United goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+10%6%2%7%2%8%8%4%2%3%3%2%1%1%10%12%14%

From the forecast as it stood on 3 February 2021: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowMotherwell winDrawDundee United win
Motherwell
Top six5%9%3%2%
11th11%6%12%17%
Bottom4%2%4%7%
Dundee United
Top six5%2%4%10%
11th8%12%8%3%
Bottom2%3%2%<1%
St. Mirren
Top six73%73%76%72%

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

Motherwell

  1. W2–127 JanRoss County (A)xG 1.56–1.86
  2. L0–223 JanAberdeen (A)xG 0.47–3.10
  3. D1–117 JanRangers (H)xG 1.20–0.98
  4. D1–19 JanSt. Mirren (A)xG 1.85–1.51
  5. L0–32 JanHamilton Academical (A)xG 0.86–0.87
  6. L0–230 DecKilmarnock (H)xG 0.40–1.78

Dundee United

  1. L0–230 JanHibernian (H)xG 0.51–1.34
  2. L1–527 JanSt. Mirren (H)xG 1.23–3.25
  3. D0–016 JanHamilton Academical (A)xG 0.63–0.67
  4. D2–212 JanSt. Johnstone (H)xG 0.82–2.25
  5. D0–02 JanAberdeen (A)xG 0.46–0.85
  6. L0–330 DecCeltic (A)xG 0.95–2.09

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

Season to date

MotherwellDundee United
Position10th7th
Played2426
Won, drawn, lost5–⁠7–⁠126–⁠10–⁠10
Points22 (0.92 per game)28 (1.08 per game)
Expected Points per game1.070.93
Goals21–⁠3620–⁠36
xG per game1.12–⁠1.630.87–⁠1.54
Home: points, xG per game0.75, 1.05–⁠1.591.14, 0.89–⁠1.62
Away: points, xG per game1.08, 1.19–⁠1.671.00, 0.85–⁠1.43
ManagerGraham Alexander (4)Micky Mellon (26)

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

Ratings

0.51.01.52.0League average 1.19AttackMotherwell1.04, 7thDundee United0.89, 11thDefence (lower is better)Motherwell1.39, 10thDundee United1.37, 9th

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMotherwell attack: 1.04Dundee United attack: 0.891.040.89Dundee UnitedMotherwellDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMotherwell defence: 1.39Dundee United defence: 1.371.391.37

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

MotherwellDundee United
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play−10%+10%−28%+27%
Counter-attacks−80%+225%+27%+96%
Set pieces−3%+24%−41%+14%
Penalties−29%+65%−56%−35%
Headers−3%+29%−56%+19%
Left side−23%+8%−3%+23%
Centre−3%+32%−43%+16%
Right side−13%+23%−29%+50%

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

Motherwell attacking

Motherwell createdDundee United concededLeft side−23%+50%Centre−3%+16%Right side−13%+23%Open play−10%+27%Counter-attacks−80%+96%Set pieces−3%+14%Headers−3%+19%

Dundee United attacking

Dundee United createdMotherwell concededLeft side−3%+23%Centre−43%+32%Right side−29%+8%Open play−28%+10%Counter-attacks+27%+225%Set pieces−41%+24%Headers−56%+29%

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

MotherwellDundee United

1.12xG0.87
1.63xG against1.54
46%Possession47%
10.8Shots9.0
13.3Shots against15.7
3.2Shots on target2.6
1.3Big chances1.0
20.0Touches in the opposition box12.2
351Passes368
70%Pass accuracy66%
5.1Corners4.2
38%Field tilt39%
32.0Final-third entries31.3
9.9Box entries7.6
14.4Passes per defensive action15.6

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Motherwell

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level361.191.70
Ahead261.021.63
Behind281.121.55

Dundee United

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level490.711.25
Ahead161.111.42
Behind251.042.17

xG by period

Motherwell

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.200.346–7
16–300.250.175–3
31–450.140.203–4
46–600.200.232–4
61–750.230.284–6
76–900.090.411–12

Dundee United

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.130.153–3
16–300.200.174–7
31–450.100.323–7
46–600.170.215–3
61–750.050.360–7
76–900.220.325–9

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

Most used players by position

Motherwell

GKRBCBCBLBCMCMCMRWSTLWCarson 12Kelly 4Chapman 4O'Donnell 20Grimshaw 2Gallagher 1Gallagher 22O'Hara 4Mugabi 14Lamie 8Grimshaw 8McGinley 7Carroll 5Campbell 22Long 1Seedorf 1O'Hara 13Crawford 8Maguire 5Polworth 17Turnbull 2Donnelly 1Seedorf 5Lang 4Hastie 3Watt 12Long 5Cole 4Watt 7Lang 7Cole 54-3-3 in 13 of 24 starts

Formations: 4-3-3 (13), 5-3-2 (4), 3-5-2 (3), 4-4-2 (3), 4-2-3-1 (1)

Dundee United

GKCBCBCBRWBCMCMCMLWBSTSTSiegrist 24Mehmet 2Edwards 15Smith 7Neilson 6Connolly 21Reynolds 25Bolton 10Smith 8Chalmers 3Butcher 17Clark 8McNulty 1Pawlett 10Robson 8Powers 6Harkes 20Fuchs 6Robson 12Sporle 5Bolton 3Clark 12McNulty 7Chalmers 1Shankland 19Appere 6Robson 33-5-2 in 9 of 26 starts

Formations: 3-5-2 (9), 4-4-2 (8), 4-1-4-1 (3), 5-3-2 (2), 4-4-1-1 (1), 5-4-1 (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
26 December 2020Dundee United1–1MotherwellxG 0.67–1.82
8 August 2020Motherwell0–1Dundee UnitedxG 1.13–0.89

2 league meetings since 2020/21: Motherwell won 0, Dundee United won 1, and 1 was a draw. Goals 1–2 and xG 1.48–0.78 per game.

Key players

Motherwell

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Cole10785410.520.02
Lang121,038310.360.03
Watt191,616330.260.11
Polworth171,448030.070.24

Dundee United

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Clark201,699810.300.11
Shankland191,756410.190.11
Pawlett121,060100.140.14
Sporle7726110.120.16

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