Digressive Celts

Matches › 2023/24

Motherwell 0–2 Rangers

Sunday 24 December 2023, 12:00 · Fir Park · Round 19 · Half-time 0–2 · Referee David Dickinson · Attendance 8,805

Rangers Dowell 3', Cantwell 16'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

MotherwellRangers
Goals02
xG0.341.37
Expected Points0.532.19

Motherwell 8%Draw 28%Rangers 63%

Most likely score 0–1, 25%. Final score 0–2, 18%.

Rangers goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+17%18%7%2%6%10%7%3%1%1%25%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

00.511.50153045607590HTMcGinn on for Mugabi, 46'Shaw on for Paton, 62'Bair on for Slattery, 85'Matondo on for Sima, 63'Lammers on for Cantwell and Wright on for McCausland, 72'King on for Dowell and Souttar on for Goldson, 86'Dowell 3'Cantwell 16'Rangers 1.37Motherwell 0.3400.511.50153045607590HTMcGinn on for Mugabi, 46'Shaw on for Paton, 62'Bair on for Slattery, 85'Matondo on for Sima, 63'Lammers on for Cantwell and Wright on for McCausland, 72'King on for Dowell and Souttar on for Goldson, 86'Dowell 3'Cantwell 16'1.370.34MotherwellRangers

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

MotherwellRangers

0.34 −0.79xG1.37 −1.12
0.00 −1.21xG on target1.48 −0.76
7 −4Shots14 −7
0 −3.8Shots on target6 −1.1
1 −0.8Big chances1 −2.9
21 +2Touches in the opposition box23 −14
48% +3Possession52% −13
366 +16Passes393 −173
63% −3Pass accuracy70% −13
48% +3Field tilt52% −23
34 +3Final-third entries32 −30
6 −3.7Box entries13 −6.0
9.5 −6Passes per defensive action13.8 +3
3 −1.4Corners5 −1.6
17 0Tackles16 +1
4 −4.3Interceptions11 +3.7
17 −7Clearances26 +12
4 +1.6Saves0 −2.0
16 +4Fouls10 −1
1 0.0Offsides3 +1.0

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

Biereth 35', 0.12 xGSpencer 51', 0.08 xGBiereth 41', 0.06 xGSlattery 21', 0.03 xGSpencer 75', 0.03 xGSpittal 84', 0.02 xGGent 75', 0.01 xG34%0.12 xGSix-yard box: 1 shot, 0.12 xG, 0 goals31%0.11 xGCentral box: 2 shots, 0.11 xG, 0 goals20%0.07 xGWide in the box: 2 shots, 0.07 xG, 0 goals0%0.00 xGEdge of the box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals14%0.05 xGFurther out: 2 shots, 0.05 xG, 0 goals

Rangers

Tavernier 45+1', 0.21 xGBalogun 6', 0.16 xGGoldson 25', 0.13 xGDessers 28', 0.12 xGGoldson 12', 0.10 xGCantwell 45+1', 0.06 xGDessers 90+3', 0.06 xGMcCausland 35', 0.05 xGCantwell 45+2', 0.05 xGCantwell 45', 0.04 xGSima 38', 0.02 xGMatondo 70', 0.01 xGDowell 3', 0.25 xG, goalCantwell 16', 0.12 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals82%1.12 xGCentral box: 9 shots, 1.12 xG, 2 goals5%0.07 xGWide in the box: 2 shots, 0.07 xG, 0 goals12%0.17 xGEdge of the box: 3 shots, 0.17 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

MotherwellRangers

0.31 5 shots, 0 goalsOpen play0.84 8 shots, 2 goals
0.00 0 shots, 0 goalsCounter-attacks0.05 1 shot, 0 goals
0.04 2 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces0.48 5 shots, 0 goals

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

Game state

Level
3 min (3%) · Motherwell 0.00, Rangers 0.25 xG
Rangers ahead
92 min (97%) · Motherwell 0.34, Rangers 1.12 xG

Line-ups

1252022817123724KellyO'DonnellMugabiBlaneySpencerSlatteryZdravkovskiPatonGentSpittalBierethYellow cardYellow cardYellow card46'85'62'Motherwell 3-5-1-1Stuart Kettlewell12627320211345919ButlandTavernierGoldsonBalogunYilmazDowellSterlingCantwellMcCauslandDessersSimaGoalYellow cardGoal86'86'72'72'63'Rangers 4-3-3Philippe Clement

Motherwell substitutes

  • 46' McGinn for Mugabi
  • 62' Shaw for Paton
  • 85' Bair for Slattery

Rangers substitutes

  • 63' Matondo for Sima
  • 72' Lammers for Cantwell
  • 72' Wright for McCausland
  • 86' Souttar for Goldson
  • 86' King for Dowell

Players

Motherwell

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
KellyGK900.000.0000.0330
O'Donnell CB900.000.0200.1197
MugabiCB460.000.0000.0103
Blaney CB900.000.0100.0227
Spencer RWB900.110.060−0.0344
SlatteryCM850.030.0200.0241
ZdravkovskiCM900.000.0520.0743
PatonCM620.000.0100.0211
GentLWB900.010.0810.2332
SpittalAM900.020.1510.0469
BierethST900.180.5710.1821
McGinnDF440.000.0200.0524
ShawFW280.000.0000.0010
BairFW50.000.000−0.0100

Rangers

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
ButlandGK900.000.0000.0112
TavernierRB900.210.0420.10128
GoldsonCB860.220.0100.0836
BalogunCB900.160.000−0.01010
YilmazLB900.000.1210.3177
DowellCM8610.250.0400.0536
Sterling CM900.000.0200.0332
CantwellCM7210.260.0540.0313
McCauslandRW720.050.1110.1761
DessersST9010.180.0710.1613
SimaLW6310.020.0110.0423
MatondoFW270.010.0000.0421
LammersFW180.000.0000.0002
WrightFW180.000.0000.0110
SouttarDF40.000.0000.0111
KingDF40.000.0000.0000

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

Blaney and Gent: 3 passesBlaney and Spittal: 3 passesO'Donnell and Spencer: 3 passesSpencer and Spittal: 3 passesZdravkovski and Spittal: 3 passesSlattery and Spittal: 3 passesSpittal and Biereth: 3 passesKelly and Blaney: 4 passesO'Donnell and Slattery: 4 passesO'Donnell and Spittal: 4 passesGent and Paton: 4 passesBlaney and Paton: 5 passesO'Donnell and Zdravkovski: 5 passesZdravkovski and Slattery: 5 passesKelly and O'Donnell: 7 passesSpencer and Slattery: 7 passesPaton and Slattery: 8 passesPaton and Spittal: 9 passesGent and Spittal: 10 passesKelly: 12 completed passesBlaney: 9 completed passesMugabi: 7 completed passesO'Donnell: 12 completed passesSpencer: 9 completed passesGent: 10 completed passesPaton: 15 completed passesZdravkovski: 13 completed passesSlattery: 15 completed passesSpittal: 20 completed passesBiereth: 4 completed passes1205222312178724KellyBlaneyMugabiO'DonnellSpencerGentPatonZdravkovskiSlatterySpittalBierethStarters until 46' · lines join pairs with 3+ passes

Rangers

Sterling and Cantwell: 4 passesCantwell and McCausland: 4 passesDessers and Sima: 4 passesButland and Yilmaz: 5 passesTavernier and Dessers: 5 passesDowell and Sterling: 5 passesDowell and Dessers: 5 passesButland and Balogun: 6 passesTavernier and Sterling: 6 passesYilmaz and Sterling: 6 passesYilmaz and Cantwell: 6 passesDowell and Cantwell: 6 passesDowell and McCausland: 7 passesCantwell and Dessers: 7 passesCantwell and Sima: 7 passesTavernier and Cantwell: 8 passesBalogun and Yilmaz: 8 passesGoldson and Dowell: 8 passesBalogun and Goldson: 9 passesTavernier and McCausland: 10 passesYilmaz and Sima: 10 passesButland and Tavernier: 11 passesButland and Goldson: 12 passesTavernier and Dowell: 15 passesTavernier and Goldson: 18 passesButland: 27 completed passesTavernier: 40 completed passesBalogun: 19 completed passesGoldson: 29 completed passesYilmaz: 22 completed passesDowell: 31 completed passesSterling: 21 completed passesCantwell: 18 completed passesMcCausland: 8 completed passesDessers: 11 completed passesSima: 7 completed passes12276320211345919ButlandTavernierBalogunGoldsonYilmazDowellSterlingCantwellMcCauslandDessersSimaStarters until 63' · lines join pairs with 4+ 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
KellyO'Donnell9
SpittalGent8
SpittalO'Donnell8
SpittalBiereth7
ZdravkovskiSpittal7

Rangers

FromToPasses
TavernierDowell12
GoldsonTavernier12
TavernierMcCausland11
ButlandTavernier10
TavernierGoldson10

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

Defensive actions

Motherwell

1−3.913−3.75−2.860.012+5.18+1.06−1.37−1.14−2.66+0.69+3.62−1.94−1.36−1.24−1.77+2.96+2.96+2.66+2.04+1.94+1.90−1.26+4.78+5.72+0.91+0.50−0.70−0.72+1.23−4.9FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 18 matches

Rangers

2−1.43−1.014+5.98+3.17+2.98+2.55+0.36+1.714+6.28−0.34−1.16+2.36−0.33−4.23−2.22−2.95+1.66+2.17+2.52−0.41−1.50−2.14+1.74+1.810.00−0.60−1.00−0.50−1.42−5.1FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 17 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

0.010.010.010.030.010.010.010.040.080.010.010.020.010.020.040.010.100.02−0.020.040.01−0.110.160.17LessMore

Rangers

0.010.010.010.030.030.010.010.020.080.030.010.030.020.090.040.010.090.010.030.110.070.050.050.19LessMore

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

0.51.01.52.02.5League average 1.27AttackMotherwell1.07 → 1.05Rangers2.28 → 2.27Defence (lower is better)Motherwell1.43 → 1.44Rangers0.67 → 0.67

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 six6%4%−2
11th20%20%0
Bottom14%16%+2
Rangers
Title51%54%+3
Celtic
Title49%46%−3

From the forecast before the match (24 December 2023): 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

MotherwellRangers
Expected goals0.682.29
Win9%73%
Expected Points0.452.38
Clean sheet10%50%

Motherwell 9%Draw 18%Rangers 73%

Most likely score 0–2, 13%. Both sides score 45%.

Rangers goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+5%6%3%2%3%8%9%7%4%2%1%1%3%3%2%1%11%13%10%

From the forecast as it stood on 24 December 2023: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowMotherwell winDrawRangers win
Motherwell
Top six6%13%6%4%
11th20%13%20%20%
Bottom14%6%12%16%
Rangers
Title51%35%45%54%
Celtic
Title49%65%55%46%

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. D0–016 DecSt. Mirren (A)xG 1.00–1.25
  2. D1–19 DecSt. Johnstone (H)xG 1.21–1.33
  3. L0–35 DecRoss County (A)xG 1.18–1.43
  4. D3–32 DecDundee FC (H)xG 0.89–1.59
  5. D1–125 NovCeltic (A)xG 0.48–3.25
  6. L1–211 NovHearts (H)xG 1.10–2.08

Rangers

  1. W2–020 DecSt. Johnstone (H)xG 3.14–0.09
  2. W3–19 DecDundee FC (H)xG 2.08–1.11
  3. W1–06 DecHearts (A)xG 2.53–1.03
  4. W2–03 DecSt. Mirren (H)xG 1.75–0.14
  5. D1–126 NovAberdeen (A)xG 2.64–0.60
  6. W2–012 NovLivingston (A)xG 2.68–0.13

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

Season to date

MotherwellRangers
Position11th2nd
Played1817
Won, drawn, lost3–⁠7–⁠813–⁠1–⁠3
Points16 (0.89 per game)40 (2.35 per game)
Expected Points per game1.062.50
Goals20–⁠2935–⁠8
xG per game1.13–⁠1.602.49–⁠0.55
Home: points, xG per game1.00, 1.30–⁠1.482.33, 2.39–⁠0.61
Away: points, xG per game0.78, 0.95–⁠1.722.38, 2.62–⁠0.48
ManagerStuart Kettlewell (32)Philippe Clement (9)

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 1.27AttackMotherwell1.07, 8thRangers2.28, 2ndDefence (lower is better)Motherwell1.43, 11thRangers0.67, 1st

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.02.5SepOctNovDecMotherwell attack: 1.07Rangers attack: 2.282.281.07RangersMotherwellDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.02.5SepOctNovDecMotherwell defence: 1.43Rangers defence: 0.671.430.67

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

MotherwellRangers
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play−14%+18%+87%−61%
Counter-attacks−42%+1%+50%−57%
Set pieces−25%+3%+31%−41%
Penalties−4%+61%+206%−100%
Headers−16%+37%+52%−57%
Left side−17%+42%+59%−38%
Centre−4%+5%+67%−65%
Right side−50%−3%+84%−52%

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 createdRangers concededLeft side−17%−52%Centre−4%−65%Right side−50%−38%Open play−14%−61%Counter-attacks−42%−57%Set pieces−25%−41%Headers−16%−57%

Rangers attacking

Rangers createdMotherwell concededLeft side+59%−3%Centre+67%+5%Right side+84%+42%Open play+87%+18%Counter-attacks+50%+1%Set pieces+31%+3%Headers+52%+37%

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

MotherwellRangers

1.13xG2.49
1.60xG against0.55
45%Possession65%
10.7Shots21.4
14.2Shots against6.8
3.8Shots on target7.1
1.8Big chances3.9
18.5Touches in the opposition box36.8
350Passes566
66%Pass accuracy83%
4.4Corners6.6
45%Field tilt75%
31.1Final-third entries62.1
9.7Box entries19.0
15.8Passes per defensive action11.1

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Motherwell

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level490.821.55
Ahead70.412.41
Behind341.731.50

Rangers

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level252.210.80
Ahead472.460.40
Behind183.000.59

xG by period

Motherwell

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.050.111–2
16–300.120.231–7
31–450.150.211–2
46–600.090.381–5
61–750.280.304–7
76–900.430.3712–6

Rangers

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.220.122–3
16–300.420.0810–0
31–450.410.054–2
46–600.360.101–0
61–750.440.096–2
76–900.640.1012–1

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

Most used players by position

Motherwell

GKCBCBCBRWBCMCMLWBRWSTLWKelly 18Blaney 9McGinn 9O'Donnell 2Mugabi 15Butcher 3Casey 16O'Donnell 14Spencer 3McGinn 1Paton 11Slattery 7Wilkinson 2Spittal 9Miller 5Spencer 1Spencer 10Gent 2Souaré 2Slattery 8Miller 3Spittal 2Biereth 5Bair 5Wilkinson 3Bair 7Spittal 5Biereth 33-4-3 in 6 of 18 starts

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

Rangers

GKRBCBCBLBDMDMRWAMLWSTButland 17Tavernier 17Goldson 15Souttar 8Balogun 7Davies 4Barisic 10Yilmaz 6Sterling 1Lundstram 12Cifuentes 6Raskin 6Cantwell 3Lammers 4McCausland 4Matondo 2Lammers 6Cantwell 4Lundstram 2Sima 12Roofe 1Matondo 1Dessers 11Danilo 4Roofe 24-2-3-1 in 11 of 17 starts

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

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
24 September 2023Rangers1–0MotherwellxG 1.00–0.72
18 March 2023Motherwell2–4RangersxG 0.88–4.09
28 December 2022Rangers3–0MotherwellxG 2.55–0.41
16 October 2022Motherwell1–2RangersxG 0.17–1.16
23 April 2022Motherwell1–3RangersxG 0.43–1.92
27 February 2022Rangers2–2MotherwellxG 3.26–1.39

11 league meetings since 2020/21: Motherwell won 0, Rangers won 8, and 3 were drawn. Goals 11–31 and xG 0.66–2.45 per game.

Key players

Motherwell

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Biereth8759620.390.16
Spittal181,620240.180.22
Bair12945210.250.05
Wilkinson7648310.160.12

Rangers

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Danilo5529410.980.09
Dessers11871600.700.11
Tavernier171,521950.480.32
Sima121,163910.500.17

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