Digressive Celts

Matches › 2024/25

Motherwell 0–3 Ross County

Saturday 15 February 2025, 15:00 · Fir Park · Round 26 · Half-time 0–1 · Referee Iain Snedden · Attendance 3,973

Ross County Hale 32', 59', Randall 89'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

MotherwellRoss County
Goals03
xG0.751.16
Expected Points0.981.69

Motherwell 22%Draw 33%Ross County 45%

Most likely score 0–1, 18%. Final score 0–3, 3%.

Ross County goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+11%3%9%9%3%3%5%3%1%13%18%16%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

00.511.50153045607590HTPlange on for Halliday and Wilson on for Thompson, 63'Maswanhise on for Sparrow, 71'Nicholson on for Slattery, 78'White on for Phillips, 65'Ashworth on for Harmon and Robesten on for Hale, 73'Grieves on for Chilvers and Nisbet on for Kenneh, 85'Hale 32'Hale 59'Randall 89'Ross County 1.16Motherwell 0.7500.511.50153045607590HTPlange on for Halliday and Wilson on for Thompson, 63'Maswanhise on for Sparrow, 71'Nicholson on for Slattery, 78'White on for Phillips, 65'Ashworth on for Harmon and Robesten on for Hale, 73'Grieves on for Chilvers and Nisbet on for Kenneh, 85'Hale 32'Hale 59'Randall 89'1.160.75MotherwellRoss 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

0.75 −0.36xG1.16 +0.17
0.57 −0.59xG on target2.07 +1.14
18 +8.5Shots13 +2.9
3 −0.3Shots on target8 +5.0
1 −0.7Big chances2 +0.8
24 +6Touches in the opposition box17 +2
69% +31Possession31% −8
525 +232Passes236 −52
81% +14Pass accuracy59% −6
74% +42Field tilt26% −10
60 +35Final-third entries30 +1
11 +3.4Box entries8 +0.9
7.7 −12Passes per defensive action17.9 0
6 +1.4Corners3 −1.6
20 +4Tackles23 +6
10 +1.8Interceptions10 −0.2
16 −15Clearances42 +5
5 +1.2Saves2 −1.2
8 −3Fouls16 +6
1 −1.0Offsides0 −1.1

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

Armstrong 40', 0.08 xGGordon 56', 0.08 xGWatt 65', 0.08 xGWatt 6', 0.07 xGGordon 17', 0.05 xGArmstrong 60', 0.05 xGPlange 67', 0.05 xGSlattery 37', 0.04 xGGordon 67', 0.04 xGNicholson 87', 0.04 xGArmstrong 10', 0.03 xGSlattery 78', 0.03 xGPlange 90+1', 0.03 xGArmstrong 28', 0.02 xGSlattery 63', 0.02 xGMaswanhise 90+1', 0.02 xGMiller 38', 0.01 xGMiller 43', 0.01 xG28%0.21 xGSix-yard box: 3 shots, 0.21 xG, 0 goals24%0.18 xGCentral box: 4 shots, 0.18 xG, 0 goals26%0.20 xGWide in the box: 4 shots, 0.20 xG, 0 goals16%0.12 xGEdge of the box: 5 shots, 0.12 xG, 0 goals7%0.05 xGFurther out: 2 shots, 0.05 xG, 0 goals

Ross County

Phillips 12', 0.33 xGWhite 70', 0.09 xGTomkinson 3', 0.04 xGHale 40', 0.04 xGKenneh 13', 0.03 xGRandall 33', 0.02 xGChilvers 44', 0.02 xGHarmon 69', 0.02 xGHale 7', 0.01 xGHale 31', 0.01 xGHale 32', 0.34 xG, goalHale 59', 0.15 xG, goalRandall 89', 0.05 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals84%0.98 xGCentral box: 7 shots, 0.98 xG, 2 goals0%0.00 xGWide in the box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals15%0.17 xGEdge of the box: 5 shots, 0.17 xG, 1 goal1%0.01 xGFurther out: 1 shot, 0.01 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

0.55 14 shots, 0 goalsOpen play0.62 9 shots, 2 goals
0.00 0 shots, 0 goalsCounter-attacks0.48 2 shots, 1 goal
0.20 4 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces0.06 2 shots, 0 goals

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

Game state

Level
32 min (35%) · Motherwell 0.17, Ross County 0.76 xG
Ross County ahead
59 min (65%) · Motherwell 0.59, Ross County 0.40 xG

Line-ups

88245781138565952BalcombeO'DonnellGordonBalmerSparrowSlatteryHallidayMillerThompsonArmstrongWattYellow card71'78'63'63'Motherwell 3-5-2Stephen Frail1812201944281016119AmissahTomkinsonLopataCampbellWrightKennehRandallChilversHarmonPhillipsHaleYellow cardGoalYellow cardGoalGoal85'85'73'65'73'Ross County 3-5-2Don Cowie

Motherwell substitutes

  • 63' Wilson for Thompson
  • 63' Plange for Halliday
  • 71' Maswanhise for Sparrow
  • 78' Nicholson for Slattery

Ross County substitutes

  • 65' White for Phillips
  • 73' Ashworth for Harmon · yellow card 88'
  • 73' Robesten for Hale
  • 85' Grieves for Chilvers
  • 85' Nisbet for Kenneh · 1 assist

Players

Motherwell

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
BalcombeGK900.000.0100.0651
O'DonnellCB900.000.0810.23205
GordonCB900.170.0210.26168
Balmer CB900.000.1720.23158
SparrowRWB710.000.0510.14104
SlatteryCM780.090.0410.0254
HallidayCM630.000.0500.0251
MillerCM900.030.1670.0762
ThompsonLWB630.000.0610.0114
ArmstrongST900.180.0200.0921
WattST900.150.1120.0013
WilsonDF270.000.0000.0222
PlangeFW270.070.000−0.0200
MaswanhiseFW190.020.0000.0101
NicholsonDF120.040.0000.0013

Ross County

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
AmissahGK900.000.0000.0230
Tomkinson CB900.040.041−0.0239
LopataCB900.000.0000.02218
CampbellCB900.000.0100.0128
WrightRWB900.000.0100.02213
KennehCM850.030.0100.02210
RandallCM9010.070.1610.2739
Chilvers CM8510.020.2930.23111
HarmonLWB730.020.0010.0026
PhillipsST650.330.0200.0121
HaleST7320.550.1220.0210
WhiteFW250.090.0310.0012
Ashworth DF170.000.0000.0004
RobestenFW170.000.0000.0330
GrievesMF50.000.0000.0000
NisbetMF510.000.0110.0211

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 Miller: 6 passesThompson and Slattery: 6 passesThompson and Halliday: 6 passesSlattery and Watt: 6 passesBalcombe and Gordon: 7 passesBalcombe and Balmer: 7 passesGordon and Halliday: 7 passesSparrow and Watt: 7 passesHalliday and Watt: 7 passesMiller and Armstrong: 7 passesBalmer and Halliday: 8 passesBalmer and Miller: 8 passesO'Donnell and Sparrow: 10 passesGordon and Balmer: 10 passesO'Donnell and Halliday: 11 passesGordon and Miller: 11 passesSparrow and Slattery: 11 passesThompson and Miller: 11 passesSlattery and Miller: 11 passesHalliday and Miller: 13 passesBalmer and Thompson: 14 passesO'Donnell and Slattery: 15 passesO'Donnell and Gordon: 16 passesSlattery and Halliday: 19 passesBalcombe: 18 completed passesO'Donnell: 42 completed passesGordon: 34 completed passesBalmer: 36 completed passesSparrow: 20 completed passesThompson: 24 completed passesSlattery: 36 completed passesHalliday: 41 completed passesMiller: 38 completed passesArmstrong: 6 completed passesWatt: 21 completed passes88245756811385952BalcombeO'DonnellGordonBalmerSparrowThompsonSlatteryHallidayMillerArmstrongWattStarters until 63' · lines join pairs with 6+ passes

Ross County

Amissah and Tomkinson: 3 passesTomkinson and Campbell: 3 passesWright and Kenneh: 3 passesWright and Randall: 3 passesWright and Hale: 3 passesHarmon and Hale: 3 passesKenneh and Chilvers: 3 passesKenneh and Hale: 3 passesHale and Phillips: 3 passesTomkinson and Wright: 4 passesCampbell and Harmon: 4 passesHarmon and Kenneh: 4 passesChilvers and Hale: 4 passesChilvers and Phillips: 4 passesTomkinson and Chilvers: 5 passesWright and Phillips: 5 passesHarmon and Chilvers: 5 passesAmissah and Wright: 6 passesLopata and Tomkinson: 6 passesWright and Chilvers: 7 passesLopata and Campbell: 9 passesAmissah: 10 completed passesLopata: 12 completed passesTomkinson: 14 completed passesCampbell: 14 completed passesWright: 16 completed passesHarmon: 8 completed passesKenneh: 12 completed passesRandall: 7 completed passesChilvers: 16 completed passesHale: 6 completed passesPhillips: 6 completed passes1820121941642810911AmissahLopataTomkinsonCampbellWrightHarmonKennehRandallChilversHalePhillipsStarters until 65' · 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
GordonO'Donnell15
MillerGordon13
GordonMiller12
SlatteryHalliday11
O'DonnellSlattery11

Ross County

FromToPasses
CampbellLopata6
CampbellAmissah4
ChilversHale4
AmissahWright4
ChilversWright4

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

Defensive actions

Motherwell

5+0.25−1.93−5.16−0.23−3.48+1.16−0.36−0.26−1.51−3.98+4.03−0.46+1.67+0.73−1.05+1.91−1.06+2.940.03+0.60−1.610.01−0.42+0.63+2.11+0.21+0.40−0.10−0.48−10.3FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 25 matches

Ross County

5−0.12−5.214−5.618+8.85−1.311+3.510+2.911+4.212+4.011+2.87+1.67+2.76+2.611+6.84−1.52−1.75+2.40−1.74+1.31−2.31−1.70−1.71−0.11+0.22−0.11+0.21+0.80−0.400.01+0.4FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 25 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

0.010.010.020.060.060.020.020.040.060.020.05−0.010.110.090.070.040.010.09−0.040.09−0.01−0.020.020.140.17LessMore

Ross County

0.010.020.010.010.020.010.020.010.060.010.040.050.06−0.01−0.02−0.160.060.130.160.17LessMore

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 1.34AttackMotherwell1.11 → 1.09Ross County1.04 → 1.06Defence (lower is better)Motherwell1.53 → 1.55Ross County1.55 → 1.52

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 six38%21%−17
11th6%12%+6
Bottom2%4%+2
Ross County
Top six7%14%+7
11th24%16%−8
Bottom12%5%−7
Hearts
Top six52%54%+2
Aberdeen
Top six78%79%+1

From the forecast before the match (15 February 2025): 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 goals1.521.07
Win47%26%
Expected Points1.681.05
Clean sheet34%22%

Motherwell 47%Draw 27%Ross County 26%

Most likely score 1–1, 13%. Both sides score 52%.

Ross County goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+8%7%4%2%7%2%9%5%2%4%5%3%2%2%1%11%13%9%

From the forecast as it stood on 15 February 2025: 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 six38%51%31%21%
11th6%3%8%12%
Bottom2%1%2%4%
Ross County
Top six7%3%6%14%
11th24%29%22%16%
Bottom12%16%11%5%
Hearts
Top six52%50%54%54%
Aberdeen
Top six78%76%80%79%

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. L1–32 FebCeltic (H)xG 0.52–3.26
  2. L1–225 JanSt. Johnstone (A)xG 1.22–1.50
  3. L1–311 JanHibernian (A)xG 0.22–2.22
  4. D0–08 JanKilmarnock (A)xG 0.39–1.72
  5. W2–05 JanAberdeen (H)xG 1.36–0.89
  6. L0–12 JanHearts (A)xG 1.25–1.97

Ross County

  1. L0–42 FebRangers (A)xG 0.12–3.47
  2. D1–125 JanHibernian (H)xG 1.78–0.69
  3. L1–411 JanCeltic (H)xG 0.97–4.20
  4. W1–05 JanKilmarnock (A)xG 1.15–0.56
  5. W2–12 JanAberdeen (A)xG 0.80–1.55
  6. D2–229 DecHearts (H)xG 1.40–1.06

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

Season to date

MotherwellRoss County
Position6th11th
Played2525
Won, drawn, lost9–⁠4–⁠126–⁠8–⁠11
Points31 (1.24 per game)26 (1.04 per game)
Expected Points per game1.081.14
Goals30–⁠4224–⁠47
xG per game1.11–⁠1.670.99–⁠1.68
Home: points, xG per game1.50, 1.21–⁠1.611.08, 1.23–⁠1.15
Away: points, xG per game1.00, 1.02–⁠1.721.00, 0.72–⁠2.25
ManagerStephen Frail (1)Don Cowie (40)

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 1.34AttackMotherwell1.11, 8thRoss County1.04, 11thDefence (lower is better)Motherwell1.53, 9thRoss County1.55, 11th

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMotherwell attack: 1.11Ross County attack: 1.041.111.04Ross CountyMotherwellDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMotherwell defence: 1.53Ross County defence: 1.551.551.53

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−26%+22%−55%+36%
Counter-attacks−53%−7%−51%−2%
Set pieces+6%+12%−15%−16%
Penalties−55%+13%+81%+13%
Headers+24%+17%−43%+4%
Left side−39%+36%−24%+3%
Centre−10%+6%−49%+24%
Right side−21%+19%−48%+19%

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−39%+19%Centre−10%+24%Right side−21%+3%Open play−26%+36%Counter-attacks−53%−2%Set pieces+6%−16%Headers+24%+4%

Ross County attacking

Ross County createdMotherwell concededLeft side−24%+19%Centre−49%+6%Right side−48%+36%Open play−55%+22%Counter-attacks−51%−7%Set pieces−15%+12%Headers−43%+17%

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

1.11xG0.99
1.67xG against1.68
38%Possession39%
9.5Shots10.1
14.9Shots against15.1
3.3Shots on target3.0
1.7Big chances1.2
18.0Touches in the opposition box15.4
293Passes288
67%Pass accuracy65%
4.6Corners4.6
32%Field tilt36%
24.7Final-third entries29.1
7.6Box entries7.1
19.6Passes per defensive action17.8

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Motherwell

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level401.301.63
Ahead240.861.43
Behind271.041.93

Ross County

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level451.021.43
Ahead160.961.13
Behind280.952.39

xG by period

Motherwell

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.130.243–6
16–300.280.269–7
31–450.120.347–4
46–600.140.342–9
61–750.150.182–7
76–900.290.317–9

Ross County

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.120.182–3
16–300.130.223–6
31–450.210.373–13
46–600.130.255–5
61–750.130.252–4
76–900.270.429–16

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

Most used players by position

Motherwell

GKCBCBCBRWBCMCMLWBAMAMSTOxborough 22Balcombe 2Mair 1Casey 20McGinn 7O'Donnell 4Gordon 20Balmer 12Blaney 10Seddon 2Kaleta 13O'Donnell 10Wilson 1Halliday 20Miller 6Paton 4Zdravkovski 8Wilson 6Seddon 2Wilson 13Seddon 3Sparrow 2Miller 11Sparrow 6Zdravkovski 4Maswanhise 11Watt 4Stamatelopoulos 3Stamatelopoulos 10Robinson 5Watt 43-4-2-1 in 8 of 25 starts

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

Ross County

GKCBCBCBRWBCMCMLWBAMSTSTLaidlaw 15Amissah 7Hamilton 3Wright 24Tomkinson 2Grieves 1Lopata 19Allardice 2Leak 14Campbell 8Nightingale 3Brown 15Efete 9Randall 1Randall 9Chilvers 5Kenneh 2Nisbet 12Harmon 9Campbell 3Randall 7Nisbet 4Harmon 4Chilvers 11Randall 4Nisbet 3White 13Brophy 3Chilvers 2Hale 19Randall 2Kenneh 23-4-1-2 in 7 of 25 starts

Formations: 3-4-1-2 (7), 3-5-1-1 (6), 3-5-2 (6), 3-4-3 (2), 4-4-2 (2), 3-4-2-1 (1), 5-3-2 (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
23 November 2024Ross County2–1MotherwellxG 1.59–0.63
3 August 2024Motherwell0–0Ross CountyxG 1.20–0.31
11 May 2024Ross County1–5MotherwellxG 1.21–1.65
6 February 2024Motherwell5–0Ross CountyxG 2.91–1.05
5 December 2023Ross County3–0MotherwellxG 1.43–1.18
28 October 2023Motherwell3–3Ross CountyxG 2.34–1.92

18 league meetings since 2020/21: Motherwell won 9, Ross County won 6, and 3 were drawn. Goals 34–19 and xG 1.52–1.13 per game.

Key players

Motherwell

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Ebiye3522200.420.05
Miller191,671260.150.24
Stamatelopoulos13897510.340.04
Watt91,079100.230.07

Ross County

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Hale191,574600.380.04
White151,534500.340.05
Chilvers191,551240.110.15
Grieves7512020.040.17

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