Digressive Celts

Matches › 2020/21

Dundee United 2–2 Motherwell

Wednesday 12 May 2021, 18:00 · Tannadice Park · Round 37 · Half-time 2–0

Dundee United Shankland 13', Meekison 33'

Motherwell Long 54', Cole 90+1'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

Dundee UnitedMotherwell
Goals22
xG1.560.90
Non-penalty xG0.780.90
Expected Points1.930.78

Dundee United 54%Draw 29%Motherwell 16%

Most likely score 1–1, 19%. Final score 2–2, 6%.

Motherwell goalsDundee United goals0123456+0123456+4%4%2%7%2%12%13%6%1%4%5%2%1%15%19%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

00.511.520153045607590HTHarkes on for Pawlett, 62'Butcher on for Meekison, 69'McNulty on for Chalmers and Robson on for Appere, 81'Crawford on for Campbell, 6'Watt on for Lawless, 64'O'Hara on for Foley, 79'Shankland 13'Meekison 33'Long 54'Cole 90+1'Dundee United 1.56Motherwell 0.9000.511.520153045607590HTHarkes on for Pawlett, 62'Butcher on for Meekison, 69'McNulty on for Chalmers and Robson on for Appere, 81'Crawford on for Campbell, 6'Watt on for Lawless, 64'O'Hara on for Foley, 79'Shankland 13'Meekison 33'Long 54'Cole 90+1'1.560.90Dundee UnitedMotherwell

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

Dundee UnitedMotherwell

1.56 +0.65xG0.90 −0.23
0.78Non-penalty xG0.90
1.73 +0.86xG on target0.83 −0.16
13 +3.5Shots12 +1.3
6 +3.1Shots on target5 +1.8
2 +0.9Big chances1 −0.3
54% +7Possession46% 0
363 −9Passes304 −39
64% −2Pass accuracy59% −9
56% +17Field tilt44% +6
31 −1Final-third entries33 +3
13 +3.9Box entries15 +5.5
10.9 −4Passes per defensive action11.2 −3
4 −0.1Corners7 +2.0
18 +4Tackles16 +2
15 +4Interceptions15 +4
23 −2Clearances11 −13
3 −0.9Saves3 +0.1
9 −4Fouls12 0
1 −0.6Offsides3 +0.9

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

Dundee United

Chalmers 13', 0.08 xGConnolly 45+1', 0.07 xGChalmers 70', 0.07 xGShankland 6', 0.06 xGL. Smith 49', 0.06 xGMeekison 6', 0.03 xGChalmers 47', 0.03 xGHarkes 65', 0.03 xGShankland 88', 0.03 xGButcher 90+8', 0.03 xGShankland 13', 0.23 xG, goalMeekison 34', 0.04 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals75%0.58 xGCentral box: 6 shots, 0.58 xG, 1 goal0%0.00 xGWide in the box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals25%0.19 xGEdge of the box: 6 shots, 0.19 xG, 1 goal0%0.00 xGFurther out: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals

Motherwell

Lamie 40', 0.08 xGHastie 75', 0.07 xGO'Hara 90+4', 0.07 xGCampbell 1', 0.06 xGHastie 16', 0.05 xGLong 18', 0.05 xGLawless 37', 0.04 xGLong 27', 0.03 xGLong 90+2', 0.03 xGHastie 43', 0.02 xGCole 90+1', 0.35 xG, goalLong 54', 0.06 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals56%0.50 xGCentral box: 3 shots, 0.50 xG, 1 goal24%0.22 xGWide in the box: 4 shots, 0.22 xG, 1 goal18%0.16 xGEdge of the box: 4 shots, 0.16 xG, 0 goals2%0.02 xGFurther out: 1 shot, 0.02 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

Dundee UnitedMotherwell

0.67 10 shots, 2 goalsOpen play0.40 9 shots, 1 goal
0.10 2 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces0.50 3 shots, 1 goal
0.79 1 shot, 0 goalsPenalties0.00 0 shots, 0 goals

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

Game state

Level
20 min (20%) · Dundee United 0.36, Motherwell 0.16 xG
Dundee United ahead
79 min (80%) · Dundee United 1.21, Motherwell 0.74 xG

Line-ups

532435386632152427DoohanL. SmithK. SmithConnollySporlePawlettFuchsMeekisonChalmersShanklandAppereGoalGoal62'69'81'81'Dundee United 4-3-3Micky Mellon133340456371114944KellyO'DonnellMagloireLamieMcGinleyCampbellFoleyHastieLawlessLongColeYellow cardGoalYellow cardGoalYellow card6'79'64'Motherwell 4-2-3-1Graham Alexander

Dundee United substitutes

  • 62' Harkes for Pawlett
  • 69' Butcher for Meekison · yellow card 85'
  • 81' Robson for Appere
  • 81' McNulty for Chalmers

Motherwell substitutes

  • 6' Crawford for Campbell
  • 64' Watt for Lawless
  • 79' O'Hara for Foley

Players

Dundee United

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
DoohanGK900.000.0000.0331
L. SmithRB900.060.0310.1069
K. SmithCB900.000.0000.0226
ConnollyCB900.070.0000.03311
SporleLB900.000.0100.0467
PawlettCM620.000.020−0.0101
FuchsCM900.000.0100.02413
MeekisonCM6910.070.0700.0941
ChalmersRW8120.190.2030.26100
ShanklandST9011.120.0620.2135
AppereLW810.000.1310.0642
HarkesMF280.030.0210.0442
Butcher DF210.030.0010.0110
RobsonDF90.000.0000.0000
McNultyFW90.000.0400.0700

Motherwell

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
KellyGK900.000.0200.0962
O'DonnellRB900.000.0410.13112
MagloireCB900.000.0000.0447
Lamie CB9010.080.1010.0938
McGinleyLB900.000.0300.0677
CampbellDM60.060.0000.0201
FoleyDM790.000.0000.0016
HastieRW900.140.1610.2856
LawlessAM640.040.002−0.0111
Long LW9010.170.2410.1881
Cole ST90110.350.1530.1520
CrawfordMF840.000.0100.0245
WattFW260.000.0100.0200
O'HaraMF110.070.0000.0110

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

Dundee United

Doohan and Shankland: 3 passesConnolly and Fuchs: 3 passesConnolly and Meekison: 3 passesFuchs and Appere: 3 passesPawlett and Shankland: 3 passesMeekison and Chalmers: 3 passesDoohan and K. Smith: 4 passesL. Smith and Meekison: 4 passesSporle and Appere: 4 passesChalmers and Shankland: 4 passesL. Smith and K. Smith: 5 passesConnolly and Sporle: 5 passesFuchs and Meekison: 5 passesMeekison and Shankland: 5 passesL. Smith and Fuchs: 6 passesL. Smith and Pawlett: 6 passesL. Smith and Shankland: 6 passesConnolly and K. Smith: 6 passesK. Smith and Fuchs: 6 passesSporle and Shankland: 6 passesFuchs and Shankland: 6 passesMeekison and Appere: 7 passesShankland and Appere: 8 passesL. Smith and Chalmers: 9 passesSporle and Meekison: 12 passesPawlett and Chalmers: 15 passesDoohan: 6 completed passesL. Smith: 23 completed passesConnolly: 13 completed passesK. Smith: 18 completed passesSporle: 19 completed passesFuchs: 21 completed passesPawlett: 14 completed passesMeekison: 20 completed passesChalmers: 15 completed passesShankland: 18 completed passesAppere: 12 completed passes532543366832152427DoohanL. SmithConnollyK. SmithSporleFuchsPawlettMeekisonChalmersShanklandAppereStarters until 62' · 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

Dundee United

FromToPasses
PawlettChalmers10
L. SmithChalmers7
SporleMeekison7
SporleShankland6
ChalmersL. Smith5

Motherwell

FromToPasses
O'DonnellHastie11
LongHastie7
CrawfordO'Donnell7
O'DonnellCole6
O'DonnellKelly6

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

Defensive actions

Dundee United

4−1.011+4.57−0.64−3.88+1.19+1.84−3.09+0.810+0.72−3.64−1.06+1.65−0.68+2.56+1.73−0.62−0.77+4.12−2.03+0.72+0.74+3.11−0.73+0.90−0.60−0.20−0.50−0.40−0.612−5.0FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 36 matches

Motherwell

2−2.14−2.512−4.53−5.68+1.811+4.28+0.310+3.98+0.23−4.65−0.46+0.811+7.29+3.510+5.21−2.62−1.32−0.57+4.13−0.44+1.73+0.80−0.91−0.20−2.00−0.81+0.51+0.10−0.40−0.9FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 36 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

Dundee United

0.020.020.010.010.010.010.010.020.030.100.020.030.010.050.010.060.040.090.03−0.010.020.040.05−0.010.170.16LessMore

Motherwell

0.020.010.010.020.060.020.040.030.030.020.030.050.010.020.030.040.060.040.040.060.210.20LessMore

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 1.16AttackDundee United0.89 → 0.93Motherwell1.05 → 1.06Defence (lower is better)Dundee United1.39 → 1.41Motherwell1.35 → 1.39

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.

Pre-match

As things stood before kick-off.

Forecast

Dundee UnitedMotherwell
Expected goals1.131.21
Win33%37%
Expected Points1.301.41
Clean sheet30%32%

Dundee United 33%Draw 29%Motherwell 37%

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

Motherwell goalsDundee United goals0123456+0123456+7%3%8%3%1%6%7%5%2%2%3%2%10%11%10%14%

From the forecast as it stood on 12 May 2021: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

Form

Dundee United

  1. L0–21 MayRoss County (H)xG 0.16–2.18
  2. L0–321 AprKilmarnock (A)xG 1.15–2.29
  3. W1–010 AprHamilton Academical (A)xG 1.32–2.76
  4. W1–020 MarAberdeen (H)xG 0.46–0.47
  5. D0–07 MarCeltic (H)xG 0.51–1.77
  6. D1–127 FebKilmarnock (A)xG 1.02–1.25

Motherwell

  1. W2–01 MayKilmarnock (H)xG 1.00–0.93
  2. W1–021 AprHamilton Academical (A)xG 0.57–0.48
  3. W1–010 AprSt. Mirren (H)xG 1.95–1.45
  4. L1–420 MarKilmarnock (A)xG 1.33–1.86
  5. W3–16 MarLivingston (H)xG 1.80–1.14
  6. W2–027 FebHibernian (A)xG 1.00–1.70

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

Season to date

Dundee UnitedMotherwell
Position9th7th
Played3636
Won, drawn, lost10–⁠12–⁠1412–⁠8–⁠16
Points42 (1.17 per game)44 (1.22 per game)
Expected Points per game0.931.13
Goals30–⁠4836–⁠51
xG per game0.91–⁠1.601.13–⁠1.55
Home: points, xG per game1.28, 0.86–⁠1.561.17, 1.14–⁠1.59
Away: points, xG per game1.06, 0.96–⁠1.631.28, 1.11–⁠1.50
ManagerMicky Mellon (36)Graham Alexander (16)

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 1.16AttackDundee United0.89, 11thMotherwell1.05, 7thDefence (lower is better)Dundee United1.39, 10thMotherwell1.35, 9th

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayDundee United attack: 0.89Motherwell attack: 1.051.050.89MotherwellDundee UnitedDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayDundee United defence: 1.39Motherwell defence: 1.351.391.35

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

Dundee UnitedMotherwell
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play−20%+32%−11%+6%
Counter-attacks+72%+77%−74%+141%
Set pieces−45%+23%+1%+28%
Penalties−67%−18%−18%+64%
Headers−59%+35%−10%+36%
Left side+13%+49%−20%+6%
Centre−42%+15%−7%+22%
Right side−25%+40%−7%+20%

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

Dundee United attacking

Dundee United createdMotherwell concededLeft side+13%+20%Centre−42%+22%Right side−25%+6%Open play−20%+6%Counter-attacks+72%+141%Set pieces−45%+28%Headers−59%+36%

Motherwell attacking

Motherwell createdDundee United concededLeft side−20%+40%Centre−7%+15%Right side−7%+49%Open play−11%+32%Counter-attacks−74%+77%Set pieces+1%+23%Headers−10%+35%

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

Dundee UnitedMotherwell

0.91xG1.13
1.60xG against1.55
47%Possession46%
9.5Shots10.7
15.9Shots against13.8
2.9Shots on target3.2
1.1Big chances1.3
15.2Touches in the opposition box18.7
372Passes343
66%Pass accuracy67%
4.1Corners5.0
39%Field tilt38%
31.9Final-third entries30.1
9.1Box entries9.5
14.6Passes per defensive action14.4

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Dundee United

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level460.811.29
Ahead191.081.46
Behind250.982.27

Motherwell

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level371.301.42
Ahead260.971.52
Behind271.031.74

xG by period

Dundee United

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.150.145–3
16–300.180.205–11
31–450.110.384–12
46–600.140.235–4
61–750.070.362–9
76–900.250.299–9

Motherwell

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.190.277–10
16–300.250.178–5
31–450.140.245–6
46–600.170.265–9
61–750.260.249–7
76–900.120.362–14

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

Most used players by position

Dundee United

GKRBCBCBLBRMCMCMLMSTSTSiegrist 32Mehmet 4L. Smith 19Neilson 6Bolton 4Edwards 21Connolly 17Butcher 1Reynolds 31Robson 1Robson 24Butcher 3Powers 3Bolton 10L. Smith 7Fuchs 3Butcher 17Clark 7Powers 2Harkes 21Fuchs 11Pawlett 10Sporle 10Robson 8Bolton 4Clark 13McNulty 13Appere 7Shankland 27Butcher 5Harkes 34-4-2 in 11 of 36 starts

Formations: 4-4-2 (11), 3-5-2 (10), 4-1-4-1 (4), 4-3-3 (3), 5-3-2 (2), 4-1-2-1-2 (1), 4-2-3-1 (1), 4-4-1-1 (1), 5-4-1 (1), 3-4-1-2 (1), 4-5-1 (1)

Motherwell

GKRBCBCBLBCMCMCMRWSTLWKelly 16Carson 12Chapman 4O'Donnell 31Grimshaw 2Gallagher 1Gallagher 25Mugabi 18Magloire 5Lamie 20Carroll 14McGinley 10Grimshaw 8Campbell 33Long 1Seedorf 1Crawford 18O'Hara 15Lawless 2Polworth 18Maguire 14Turnbull 2Long 6Seedorf 5Hastie 4Cole 13Watt 13Long 7Watt 15Lang 7Cole 64-3-3 in 24 of 36 starts

Formations: 4-3-3 (24), 3-5-2 (4), 5-3-2 (4), 4-4-2 (3), 4-2-3-1 (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
3 February 2021Motherwell2–1Dundee UnitedxG 1.90–0.97
26 December 2020Dundee United1–1MotherwellxG 0.67–1.82
8 August 2020Motherwell0–1Dundee UnitedxG 1.13–0.89

3 league meetings since 2020/21: Dundee United won 1, Motherwell won 1, and 1 was a draw. Goals 3–3 and xG 0.84–1.62 per game.

Key players

Dundee United

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Shankland282,528730.280.11
Clark242,027810.260.12
Sporle141,184420.210.12
Pawlett141,319110.120.16

Motherwell

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Cole221,8451040.500.05
Lang121,038310.360.03
Roberts5454110.180.21
Watt282,333350.230.12

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