Digressive Celts

Matches › 2023/24

Motherwell 5–0 Ross County

Tuesday 6 February 2024, 19:45 · Fir Park · Round 25 · Half-time 3–0 · Referee Matthew McDermid · Attendance 3,829

Motherwell Halliday 8', Spittal 21', 87', Bair 38' (pen), Vale 90+1'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

MotherwellRoss County
Goals50
xG2.911.05
Non-penalty xG2.121.05
Expected Points2.560.31

Motherwell 81%Draw 13%Ross County 6%

Most likely score 3–1, 13%. Final score 5–0, 2%.

Ross County goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+3%4%2%8%6%2%7%2%6%8%4%1%2%3%2%11%10%13%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

012340153045607590HTMiller on for Halliday, 49'Nicholson on for O'Donnell and Devine on for Paton, 76'Blaney on for McGinn, 77'Vale on for Bair, 81'Reid on for Borthwick-Jackson, 46'Sheaf on for King and Efete on for Nightingale, 62'Sims on for Harmon and Khela on for White, 71'Halliday 8'Spittal 21'Bair 38' (pen)Spittal 87'Vale 90+1'Motherwell 2.91Ross County 1.05012340153045607590HTMiller on for Halliday, 49'Nicholson on for O'Donnell and Devine on for Paton, 76'Blaney on for McGinn, 77'Vale on for Bair, 81'Reid on for Borthwick-Jackson, 46'Sheaf on for King and Efete on for Nightingale, 62'Sims on for Harmon and Khela on for White, 71'Halliday 8'Spittal 21'Bair 38' (pen)Spittal 87'Vale 90+1'2.911.05MotherwellRoss County

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

MotherwellRoss County

2.91 +1.80xG1.05 +0.19
2.12Non-penalty xG1.05
3.75 +2.57xG on target0.39 −0.45
17 +6.6Shots12 +2.1
8 +4.4Shots on target2 −1.4
4 +2.2Big chances2 +0.6
29 +10Touches in the opposition box26 +9
41% −4Possession59% +15
322 −24Passes466 +128
66% +1Pass accuracy75% +10
47% +1Field tilt53% +9
35 +4Final-third entries54 +24
15 +5.5Box entries16 +6.8
13.9 −1Passes per defensive action13.2 −2
3 −1.4Corners6 +1.0
16 0Tackles11 −3
11 +3.3Interceptions5 −4.4
20 −2Clearances28 +4
2 −0.3Saves3 −0.7
10 −2Fouls11 −2
1 −0.3Offsides0 −1.8

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

Bair 13', 0.52 xGGent 79', 0.16 xGBair 54', 0.14 xGBair 74', 0.12 xGPaton 55', 0.09 xGBair 56', 0.06 xGSpittal 34', 0.05 xGBair 78', 0.05 xGMiller 55', 0.04 xGPaton 14', 0.02 xGHalliday 40', 0.02 xGSpittal 63', 0.02 xGVale 90+1', 0.64 xG, goalHalliday 8', 0.10 xG, goalSpittal 21', 0.07 xG, goalSpittal 87', 0.02 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals30%0.63 xGCentral box: 6 shots, 0.63 xG, 1 goal31%0.66 xGWide in the box: 4 shots, 0.66 xG, 1 goal38%0.81 xGEdge of the box: 5 shots, 0.81 xG, 2 goals1%0.02 xGFurther out: 1 shot, 0.02 xG, 0 goals

Ross County

Murray 68', 0.27 xGWhite 64', 0.21 xGMurray 44', 0.15 xGMurray 58', 0.07 xGMurray 17', 0.06 xGMurray 88', 0.06 xGDhanda 7', 0.05 xGDhanda 45', 0.05 xGJenks 58', 0.05 xGMurray 29', 0.04 xGHarmon 43', 0.03 xGWhite 1', 0.02 xG0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals58%0.61 xGCentral box: 6 shots, 0.61 xG, 0 goals32%0.34 xGWide in the box: 4 shots, 0.34 xG, 0 goals10%0.10 xGEdge of the box: 2 shots, 0.10 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

MotherwellRoss County

0.75 10 shots, 2 goalsOpen play1.00 11 shots, 0 goals
1.28 3 shots, 1 goalCounter-attacks0.00 0 shots, 0 goals
0.09 3 shots, 1 goalSet pieces0.05 1 shot, 0 goals
0.79 1 shot, 1 goalPenalties0.00 0 shots, 0 goals

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

Game state

Level
8 min (9%) · Motherwell 0.10, Ross County 0.07 xG
Motherwell ahead
84 min (91%) · Motherwell 2.81, Ross County 0.98 xG

Line-ups

15661621711312714KellyMugabiButcherMcGinnO'DonnellZdravkovskiHallidayGentPatonSpittalBairYellow cardGoalGoalGoalGoal77'76'49'76'81'Motherwell 3-4-2-1Stuart Kettlewell40283534211816101526WickensAyinaNightingaleBorthwick-JacksonBrownJenksKingHarmonDhandaMurrayWhiteYellow cardYellow card62'46'62'71'71'Ross County 3-4-1-2Derek Adams

Motherwell substitutes

  • 49' Miller for Halliday · yellow card 80'
  • 76' Devine for Paton
  • 76' Nicholson for O'Donnell
  • 77' Blaney for McGinn
  • 81' Vale for Bair · goal 90+1'

Ross County substitutes

  • 46' Reid for Borthwick-Jackson
  • 62' Efete for Nightingale
  • 62' Sheaf for King
  • 71' Khela for White
  • 71' Sims for Harmon

Players

Motherwell

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
KellyGK900.000.0000.0430
MugabiCB900.000.0000.0016
Butcher CB900.000.0000.0107
McGinnCB770.000.0300.0624
O'DonnellRWB760.000.0700.1596
ZdravkovskiCM900.000.0100.0227
HallidayCM49110.120.0110.0103
GentLWB9010.160.0630.16104
PatonAM760.110.0200.0622
SpittalAM90210.150.7350.22115
BairST81111.680.1610.2030
Miller MF410.040.050−0.0124
DevineDF140.000.0000.0112
NicholsonDF140.000.0000.0110
BlaneyDF130.000.0000.0001
ValeFW910.640.0000.0121

Ross County

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
WickensGK900.000.0000.0110
AyinaCB900.000.1100.1668
NightingaleCB620.000.0000.0208
Borthwick-JacksonCB460.000.0510.0975
BrownRWB900.000.0820.1994
Jenks CM900.050.0400.0323
KingCM620.000.0200.0869
Harmon LWB710.030.0310.0011
DhandaAM900.100.1010.1781
MurrayST900.650.0810.0612
WhiteST710.230.021−0.0203
ReidMF440.000.0310.1050
EfeteMF280.000.0000.0313
SheafFW280.000.1110.0710
KhelaMF190.000.0000.0101
SimsFW190.000.0010.0331

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

Kelly and Butcher: 3 passesMugabi and O'Donnell: 3 passesMcGinn and Halliday: 3 passesO'Donnell and Zdravkovski: 3 passesGent and Halliday: 3 passesGent and Bair: 3 passesHalliday and Spittal: 3 passesPaton and Bair: 3 passesKelly and Mugabi: 4 passesO'Donnell and Bair: 4 passesHalliday and Bair: 4 passesSpittal and Bair: 4 passesMcGinn and Gent: 5 passesO'Donnell and Paton: 5 passesO'Donnell and Spittal: 6 passesGent and Spittal: 6 passesPaton and Spittal: 6 passesMcGinn and Spittal: 7 passesKelly: 8 completed passesMugabi: 5 completed passesButcher: 5 completed passesMcGinn: 10 completed passesO'Donnell: 15 completed passesGent: 10 completed passesZdravkovski: 5 completed passesHalliday: 8 completed passesPaton: 11 completed passesSpittal: 19 completed passesBair: 6 completed passes15661623171112714KellyMugabiButcherMcGinnO'DonnellGentZdravkovskiHallidayPatonSpittalBairStarters until 49' · lines join pairs with 3+ passes

Ross County

Ayina and Harmon: 3 passesNightingale and Dhanda: 3 passesBorthwick-Jackson and Murray: 3 passesJenks and King: 3 passesJenks and Dhanda: 3 passesJenks and Murray: 3 passesKing and Dhanda: 3 passesHarmon and Murray: 3 passesBorthwick-Jackson and White: 4 passesBrown and King: 4 passesNightingale and King: 5 passesDhanda and Murray: 5 passesAyina and Nightingale: 6 passesBorthwick-Jackson and King: 6 passesHarmon and Dhanda: 6 passesAyina and Brown: 7 passesNightingale and Borthwick-Jackson: 7 passesBorthwick-Jackson and Harmon: 7 passesKing and White: 7 passesAyina and King: 8 passesAyina and Dhanda: 8 passesBorthwick-Jackson and Dhanda: 10 passesBrown and Dhanda: 10 passesBrown and Jenks: 11 passesKing and Harmon: 11 passesWickens: 4 completed passesAyina: 25 completed passesNightingale: 12 completed passesBorthwick-Jackson: 22 completed passesBrown: 15 completed passesJenks: 13 completed passesKing: 27 completed passesHarmon: 15 completed passesDhanda: 24 completed passesWhite: 8 completed passesMurray: 10 completed passes40283534211816102615WickensAyinaNightingaleBorthwick-JacksonBrownJenksKingHarmonDhandaWhiteMurrayStarters 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
SpittalBair8
GentSpittal8
SpittalPaton7
McGinnGent7
O'DonnellSpittal7

Ross County

FromToPasses
BrownDhanda12
AyinaBrown11
DhandaBrown9
HarmonKing8
JenksBrown8

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

Defensive actions

Motherwell

2−2.86−1.017+1.55−2.52−3.82−5.16−0.95−2.07−0.370.015+9.74−1.34+0.28+2.87−0.59+3.73−1.15+2.03−0.26+1.720.020.01−0.21−0.61−1.80−1.10−0.51+0.30−0.50−0.7FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 23 matches

Ross County

1−3.513+5.920+5.85−4.81−4.57−1.45−2.02−3.45−2.611+1.45−0.15−0.27+3.67+2.37+0.71−3.95+1.00−2.55+1.05−0.22−1.02+0.21+0.22+0.42−0.50−1.30−0.62+1.21+0.51+0.3FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 22 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

0.010.020.010.010.010.010.020.020.040.010.030.040.080.040.040.050.100.04−0.010.03−0.050.090.120.17LessMore

Ross County

0.010.010.040.020.030.050.030.020.040.030.070.010.040.080.010.03−0.020.07−0.020.020.100.100.120.11LessMore

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

0.51.01.52.02.5League average 1.28AttackMotherwell1.13 → 1.19Ross County0.95 → 0.94Defence (lower is better)Motherwell1.36 → 1.33Ross County1.52 → 1.57

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 six8%11%+3
11th12%7%−5
Bottom2%1%−1
Ross County
Top six1%<1%−1
11th42%47%+5
Bottom18%21%+3
Livingston
11th17%20%+3
Bottom75%73%−2
St. Johnstone
Top six7%7%0
11th16%14%−2
Bottom3%3%0

From the forecast before the match (6 February 2024): 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

MotherwellRoss County
Expected goals1.580.93
Win52%22%
Expected Points1.820.91
Clean sheet39%21%

Motherwell 52%Draw 26%Ross County 22%

Most likely score 1–1, 13%. Both sides score 49%.

Ross County goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+9%7%4%1%6%2%4%1%5%5%2%2%2%12%13%10%9%

From the forecast as it stood on 6 February 2024: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowMotherwell winDrawRoss County win
Motherwell
Top six8%11%5%3%
11th12%7%14%22%
Bottom2%1%3%5%
Ross County
Top six1%<1%1%2%
11th42%47%40%31%
Bottom18%21%17%9%
Livingston
11th17%20%17%13%
Bottom75%73%76%81%
St. Johnstone
Top six7%7%7%8%
11th16%14%16%18%
Bottom3%3%3%4%

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. D1–13 FebKilmarnock (H)xG 1.14–0.24
  2. D1–127 JanSt. Johnstone (A)xG 0.87–0.82
  3. D2–22 JanHibernian (A)xG 1.55–0.72
  4. W3–130 DecLivingston (H)xG 1.48–0.94
  5. L0–224 DecRangers (H)xG 0.34–1.37
  6. D0–016 DecSt. Mirren (A)xG 1.00–1.25

Ross County

  1. L0–13 FebSt. Johnstone (H)xG 0.58–0.54
  2. D2–230 JanLivingston (A)xG 0.73–1.34
  3. L0–127 JanCeltic (A)xG 1.08–2.02
  4. L0–32 JanAberdeen (H)xG 0.14–1.72
  5. D2–230 DecHearts (A)xG 1.54–1.87
  6. L0–116 DecDundee FC (H)xG 0.90–2.43

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

Season to date

MotherwellRoss County
Position10th11th
Played2322
Won, drawn, lost4–⁠10–⁠94–⁠7–⁠11
Points22 (0.96 per game)19 (0.86 per game)
Expected Points per game1.170.96
Goals27–⁠3619–⁠33
xG per game1.11–⁠1.430.86–⁠1.51
Home: points, xG per game1.08, 1.22–⁠1.321.00, 0.84–⁠1.25
Away: points, xG per game0.82, 1.00–⁠1.550.73, 0.88–⁠1.78
ManagerStuart Kettlewell (37)Derek Adams (10)

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 1.28AttackMotherwell1.13, 6thRoss County0.95, 12thDefence (lower is better)Motherwell1.36, 7thRoss County1.52, 12th

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMotherwell attack: 1.13Ross County attack: 0.951.130.95Ross CountyMotherwellDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMotherwell defence: 1.36Ross County defence: 1.521.521.36

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

MotherwellRoss County
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play−12%+9%−24%+18%
Counter-attacks−12%−22%−54%+38%
Set pieces−23%+6%−31%+2%
Penalties−32%+14%−100%−5%
Headers−11%+35%−19%−16%
Left side−22%+30%−18%+8%
Centre+2%+2%−37%+22%
Right side−41%−13%−20%+9%

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 createdRoss County concededLeft side−22%+9%Centre+2%+22%Right side−41%+8%Open play−12%+18%Counter-attacks−12%+38%Set pieces−23%+2%Headers−11%−16%

Ross County attacking

Ross County createdMotherwell concededLeft side−18%−13%Centre−37%+2%Right side−20%+30%Open play−24%+9%Counter-attacks−54%−22%Set pieces−31%+6%Headers−19%+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

MotherwellRoss County

1.11xG0.86
1.43xG against1.51
45%Possession44%
10.4Shots9.9
13.1Shots against14.9
3.6Shots on target3.4
1.8Big chances1.4
19.0Touches in the opposition box17.2
346Passes338
65%Pass accuracy65%
4.4Corners5.0
46%Field tilt44%
30.8Final-third entries30.5
9.5Box entries9.2
15.1Passes per defensive action14.7

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Motherwell

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level470.951.40
Ahead100.461.80
Behind321.561.35

Ross County

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level520.881.14
Ahead121.381.97
Behind270.582.05

xG by period

Motherwell

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.090.132–5
16–300.120.223–10
31–450.200.194–2
46–600.090.331–5
61–750.270.255–7
76–900.350.3112–7

Ross County

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.140.111–1
16–300.150.282–7
31–450.120.311–6
46–600.160.196–5
61–750.110.254–5
76–900.180.365–9

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

Most used players by position

Motherwell

GKCBCBCBRWBCMCMLWBRWSTLWKelly 23McGinn 13O'Donnell 5Mugabi 19Butcher 5Casey 16Blaney 11O'Donnell 16Spencer 5McGinn 1Paton 13Slattery 9Wilkinson 2Spittal 9Miller 5Zdravkovski 4Spencer 10Gent 4Paton 2Slattery 8Spittal 3Gent 3Bair 9Biereth 6Wilkinson 3Bair 7Spittal 7Biereth 43-4-3 in 6 of 23 starts

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

Ross County

GKCBCBCBRWBCMCMLWBAMSTSTLaidlaw 19Wickens 3Nightingale 13Dhanda 3Loturi 2Baldwin 19Ayina 3Leak 18Harmon 1Borthwick-Jacks… 1Borthwick-JacksonBrown 21Randall 1Randall 15Turner 4Jenks 3Allardice 10Loturi 7Dhanda 2Purrington 11Harmon 5Reid 3Dhanda 12Sims 4King 2White 17Brophy 2Murray 21Dhanda 3Sims 13-4-1-2 in 11 of 22 starts

Formations: 3-4-1-2 (11), 4-4-2 (5), 4-5-1 (2), 4-3-1-2 (2), 3-4-3 (1), 3-5-2 (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
5 December 2023Ross County3–0MotherwellxG 1.43–1.18
28 October 2023Motherwell3–3Ross CountyxG 2.34–1.92
20 May 2023Motherwell1–0Ross CountyxG 1.47–0.29
4 March 2023Ross County0–2MotherwellxG 1.19–1.42
14 January 2023Motherwell1–1Ross CountyxG 0.82–1.23
4 October 2022Ross County0–5MotherwellxG 0.52–2.58

14 league meetings since 2020/21: Motherwell won 7, Ross County won 5, and 2 were drawn. Goals 23–16 and xG 1.50–1.16 per game.

Key players

Motherwell

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Biereth111,022650.360.22
Spittal232,070370.170.23
Bair161,310720.290.08
Wilkinson7648310.160.12

Ross County

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Sims6579000.240.06
Murray211,639610.230.07
White171,387310.210.04
Dhanda211,622230.030.19

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