Digressive Celts

Matches › 2024/25

Aberdeen 4–1 Motherwell

Saturday 29 March 2025, 15:00 · Pittodrie Stadium · Round 31 · Half-time 2–1 · Referee Ross Hardie · Attendance 19,274

Aberdeen Dorrington 13', Clarkson 37', Nisbet 77', 90+2'

Motherwell Slattery 5'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

AberdeenMotherwell
Goals41
xG1.581.21
Expected Points1.631.07

Aberdeen 44%Draw 30%Motherwell 26%

Most likely score 1–1, 16%. Final score 4–1, 2%.

Motherwell goalsAberdeen goals0123456+0123456+4%6%4%1%8%9%2%7%9%2%3%6%4%1%2%1%16%13%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

00.511.520153045607590HTSokler on for Gueye, 68'Morris on for Keskinen, 69'Milne on for Dorrington, 90'Dabbagh on for Okkels, 90+1'Balmer on for Gordon, 23'Watt on for Armstrong, 63'Dickson on for Sparrow and Maswanhise on for Paton, 78'Dorrington 13'Clarkson 37'Nisbet 77'Nisbet 90+2'Slattery 5'Aberdeen 1.58Motherwell 1.2100.511.520153045607590HTSokler on for Gueye, 68'Morris on for Keskinen, 69'Milne on for Dorrington, 90'Dabbagh on for Okkels, 90+1'Balmer on for Gordon, 23'Watt on for Armstrong, 63'Dickson on for Sparrow and Maswanhise on for Paton, 78'Dorrington 13'Clarkson 37'Nisbet 77'Nisbet 90+2'Slattery 5'1.581.21AberdeenMotherwell

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

AberdeenMotherwell

1.58 +0.37xG1.21 +0.14
2.87 +1.61xG on target0.86 −0.30
15 +3.2Shots10 +0.3
8 +4.4Shots on target2 −1.3
2 +0.3Big chances2 +0.3
30 +4Touches in the opposition box13 −5
62% +8Possession38% −2
493 +53Passes308 0
85% +7Pass accuracy78% +10
77% +24Field tilt23% −11
52 +14Final-third entries25 −1
16 +2.6Box entries7 −0.5
14.4 +1Passes per defensive action29.5 +11
9 +3.2Corners4 −0.5
11 −6Tackles21 +5
3 −3.7Interceptions7 −1.0
23 −8Clearances40 +7
1 −1.7Saves4 +0.4
14 +3Fouls5 −6
3 +1.5Offsides0 −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

Aberdeen

Keskinen 11', 0.46 xGKeskinen 2', 0.18 xGClarkson 47', 0.10 xGGueye 55', 0.09 xGPalaversa 47', 0.05 xGNisbet 17', 0.04 xGNisbet 17', 0.04 xGPalaversa 15', 0.03 xGMorris 87', 0.03 xGOkkels 45+3', 0.02 xGPalaversa 90+4', 0.01 xGNisbet 77', 0.41 xG, goalDorrington 13', 0.06 xG, goalClarkson 37', 0.03 xG, goalNisbet 90+2', 0.02 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals83%1.31 xGCentral box: 6 shots, 1.31 xG, 2 goals1%0.02 xGWide in the box: 1 shot, 0.02 xG, 0 goals14%0.22 xGEdge of the box: 6 shots, 0.22 xG, 1 goal2%0.03 xGFurther out: 2 shots, 0.03 xG, 1 goal

Motherwell

Armstrong 60', 0.51 xGHalliday 43', 0.23 xGSlattery 15', 0.08 xGHalliday 40', 0.03 xGSparrow 52', 0.03 xGSlattery 90+5', 0.03 xGSlattery 83', 0.01 xGThompson 89', 0.01 xGMiller 90', 0.01 xGSlattery 5', 0.26 xG, goal22%0.26 xGSix-yard box: 1 shot, 0.26 xG, 1 goal64%0.77 xGCentral box: 3 shots, 0.77 xG, 0 goals1%0.01 xGWide in the box: 1 shot, 0.01 xG, 0 goals6%0.07 xGEdge of the box: 3 shots, 0.07 xG, 0 goals8%0.09 xGFurther out: 2 shots, 0.09 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

AberdeenMotherwell

1.49 13 shots, 2 goalsOpen play0.08 4 shots, 0 goals
0.00 0 shots, 0 goalsCounter-attacks0.82 3 shots, 0 goals
0.10 2 shots, 2 goalsSet pieces0.31 3 shots, 1 goal

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

Game state

Level
29 min (30%) · Aberdeen 0.33, Motherwell 0.34 xG
Aberdeen ahead
61 min (62%) · Aberdeen 0.73, Motherwell 0.87 xG
Motherwell ahead
8 min (8%) · Aberdeen 0.53, Motherwell 0.00 xG

Line-ups

3128265418108114169DoohanJensenDorringtonKnoesterShinniePalaversaClarksonKeskinenGueyeOkkelsNisbetGoalGoalYellow cardGoalGoal90'69'68'90+1'Aberdeen 4-2-3-1Jimmy Thelin882415711385681259BalcombeO'DonnellGordonCaseySparrowHallidayMillerThompsonSlatteryPatonArmstrongGoalYellow card23'78'78'63'Motherwell 3-4-2-1Michael Wimmer

Aberdeen substitutes

  • 68' Sokler for Gueye
  • 69' Morris for Keskinen
  • 90' Milne for Dorrington
  • 90+1' Dabbagh for Okkels · 1 assist

Motherwell substitutes

  • 23' Balmer for Gordon
  • 63' Watt for Armstrong
  • 78' Maswanhise for Paton · yellow card 81'
  • 78' Dickson for Sparrow

Players

Aberdeen

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
DoohanGK900.000.0000.0111
JensenRB9010.000.5320.2544
DorringtonCB9010.060.0100.0228
KnoesterCB900.000.1300.11107
ShinnieLB900.000.0100.0565
PalaversaDM9010.080.0310.0563
ClarksonDM9010.130.1120.24143
KeskinenRW690.650.0100.0831
Gueye AM680.090.1600.1402
OkkelsLW9010.020.273−0.05101
NisbetST9020.510.052−0.0333
SoklerFW220.000.000−0.0102
MorrisFW210.030.0200.0951
MilneDF00.000.0010.0000
DabbaghFW010.000.0110.0000

Motherwell

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
BalcombeGK900.000.0000.0224
O'DonnellCB900.000.0310.0877
GordonCB230.000.0000.0005
CaseyCB900.000.0100.04314
SparrowRWB780.030.2510.1535
HallidayCM900.270.2200.0363
MillerCM900.010.0300.0367
ThompsonLWB900.010.0110.0347
Slattery AM9010.390.0310.0632
PatonAM7810.000.6220.2544
ArmstrongST630.510.000−0.0103
BalmerDF670.000.0000.0339
WattFW270.000.0110.0200
Maswanhise FW120.000.0000.0102
DicksonFW120.000.000−0.0100

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

Aberdeen

Gueye and Okkels: 5 passesKnoester and Palaversa: 6 passesKnoester and Gueye: 6 passesKnoester and Okkels: 6 passesShinnie and Gueye: 6 passesClarkson and Nisbet: 6 passesGueye and Nisbet: 6 passesJensen and Nisbet: 7 passesPalaversa and Okkels: 7 passesJensen and Clarkson: 9 passesClarkson and Okkels: 9 passesShinnie and Palaversa: 10 passesClarkson and Gueye: 10 passesPalaversa and Clarkson: 11 passesDorrington and Palaversa: 13 passesDorrington and Clarkson: 14 passesDoohan and Dorrington: 16 passesShinnie and Clarkson: 16 passesDoohan and Knoester: 18 passesJensen and Dorrington: 19 passesKnoester and Clarkson: 21 passesShinnie and Okkels: 21 passesKnoester and Shinnie: 22 passesJensen and Palaversa: 23 passesKnoester and Dorrington: 24 passesDoohan: 29 completed passesJensen: 37 completed passesKnoester: 55 completed passesDorrington: 47 completed passesShinnie: 42 completed passesPalaversa: 37 completed passesClarkson: 52 completed passesKeskinen: 5 completed passesGueye: 17 completed passesOkkels: 29 completed passesNisbet: 16 completed passes3128526418108114169DoohanJensenKnoesterDorringtonShinniePalaversaClarksonKeskinenGueyeOkkelsNisbetStarters until 68' · lines join pairs with 5+ passes

Motherwell

Balcombe and Casey: 3 passesCasey and Thompson: 3 passesSparrow and Slattery: 4 passesHalliday and Slattery: 4 passesBalcombe: 3 completed passesCasey: 5 completed passesGordon: 1 completed passesO'Donnell: 5 completed passesSparrow: 4 completed passesThompson: 3 completed passesMiller: 5 completed passesHalliday: 5 completed passesPaton: 6 completed passesSlattery: 4 completed passesArmstrong: 3 completed passes881542756381112859BalcombeCaseyGordonO'DonnellSparrowThompsonMillerHallidayPatonSlatteryArmstrongStarters until 23' · 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

Aberdeen

FromToPasses
DorringtonKnoester14
JensenDorrington14
KnoesterClarkson14
KnoesterShinnie14
JensenPalaversa14

Motherwell

FromToPasses
HallidaySlattery9
PatonHalliday7
HallidayCasey7
MillerO'Donnell7
CaseyThompson7

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

Defensive actions

Aberdeen

2−3.28+2.2170.03−2.93−3.94−1.82−3.15−2.55−2.44−1.52−1.73−0.54−1.56+0.23−0.84+1.06+3.34+0.79+4.61−0.81−0.52+0.61−0.57+3.60−0.80−0.30−0.40−0.41+0.52−5.8FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 30 matches

Motherwell

7+2.211+3.919+1.37−0.83−3.015+7.914+6.96−0.711+4.24−3.52−2.76+1.75+1.84−0.46−0.440.01−2.21−0.93+0.14+0.30−2.51−0.50−0.90−1.40−1.40−0.90−0.72+1.40−0.10−0.4FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 30 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

Aberdeen

0.010.020.020.020.040.050.020.030.020.040.040.050.050.030.040.030.020.080.10−0.02−0.10−0.020.070.200.15LessMore

Motherwell

0.010.010.010.010.010.020.010.020.020.020.020.010.020.030.040.010.010.020.06−0.010.060.010.010.010.120.17LessMore

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 1.35AttackAberdeen1.19 → 1.22Motherwell1.11 → 1.11Defence (lower is better)Aberdeen1.45 → 1.44Motherwell1.53 → 1.55

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
Aberdeen
Top six98%>99%+2
Motherwell
Top six26%14%−12
11th4%6%+2
Hearts
Top six72%77%+5
Dundee United
Top six90%93%+3

From the forecast before the match (29 March 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

AberdeenMotherwell
Expected goals1.571.08
Win48%26%
Expected Points1.711.03
Clean sheet34%21%

Aberdeen 48%Draw 26%Motherwell 26%

Most likely score 1–1, 13%. Both sides score 53%.

Motherwell goalsAberdeen goals0123456+0123456+8%7%4%1%6%2%9%5%2%5%5%3%1%2%2%1%10%13%9%

From the forecast as it stood on 29 March 2025: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowAberdeen winDrawMotherwell win
Aberdeen
Top six98%>99%>99%93%
Motherwell
Top six26%14%23%51%
11th4%6%2%1%
Hearts
Top six72%77%73%60%
Dundee United
Top six90%93%91%85%

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

Aberdeen

  1. D0–015 MarSt. Johnstone (A)xG 0.58–0.64
  2. D2–22 MarDundee United (H)xG 1.98–0.53
  3. L1–525 FebCeltic (A)xG 0.85–2.72
  4. W1–022 FebKilmarnock (H)xG 1.08–0.43
  5. W2–115 FebDundee FC (A)xG 1.80–1.81
  6. L0–21 FebHibernian (A)xG 0.48–1.60

Motherwell

  1. D2–215 MarSt. Mirren (H)xG 0.67–1.24
  2. W2–11 MarRangers (A)xG 0.78–1.35
  3. W2–126 FebDundee FC (H)xG 1.10–1.42
  4. L0–122 FebDundee United (A)xG 1.09–1.25
  5. L0–315 FebRoss County (H)xG 0.75–1.16
  6. L1–32 FebCeltic (H)xG 0.52–3.26

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

Season to date

AberdeenMotherwell
Position4th7th
Played3030
Won, drawn, lost12–⁠7–⁠1111–⁠5–⁠14
Points43 (1.43 per game)38 (1.27 per game)
Expected Points per game1.151.07
Goals38–⁠4636–⁠50
xG per game1.21–⁠1.611.07–⁠1.60
Home: points, xG per game1.80, 1.49–⁠1.271.47, 1.14–⁠1.54
Away: points, xG per game1.07, 0.92–⁠1.951.07, 1.01–⁠1.66
ManagerJimmy Thelin (30)Michael Wimmer (4)

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 1.35AttackAberdeen1.19, 6thMotherwell1.11, 10thDefence (lower is better)Aberdeen1.45, 7thMotherwell1.53, 10th

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMarAberdeen attack: 1.19Motherwell attack: 1.111.191.11MotherwellAberdeenDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMarAberdeen defence: 1.45Motherwell defence: 1.531.531.45

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

AberdeenMotherwell
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play−4%+18%−28%+19%
Counter-attacks−32%−20%−56%−9%
Set pieces−13%+25%+4%+10%
Penalties−78%−13%−56%+9%
Headers−11%+15%+24%+16%
Left side+2%+8%−40%+30%
Centre−11%+17%−17%+5%
Right side−13%+24%−14%+16%

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

Aberdeen attacking

Aberdeen createdMotherwell concededLeft side+2%+16%Centre−11%+5%Right side−13%+30%Open play−4%+19%Counter-attacks−32%−9%Set pieces−13%+10%Headers−11%+16%

Motherwell attacking

Motherwell createdAberdeen concededLeft side−40%+24%Centre−17%+17%Right side−14%+8%Open play−28%+18%Counter-attacks−56%−20%Set pieces+4%+25%Headers+24%+15%

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

AberdeenMotherwell

1.21xG1.07
1.61xG against1.60
54%Possession40%
11.8Shots9.7
13.7Shots against14.6
3.6Shots on target3.3
1.7Big chances1.7
25.6Touches in the opposition box17.7
440Passes308
78%Pass accuracy68%
5.8Corners4.5
53%Field tilt35%
38.4Final-third entries26.3
13.4Box entries7.5
13.2Passes per defensive action18.8

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Aberdeen

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level481.081.48
Ahead181.221.83
Behind241.431.71

Motherwell

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level371.271.60
Ahead250.811.47
Behind281.041.73

xG by period

Aberdeen

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.160.193–2
16–300.150.234–11
31–450.180.305–10
46–600.210.169–5
61–750.190.296–5
76–900.300.4511–13

Motherwell

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.140.225–6
16–300.250.2310–8
31–450.140.348–7
46–600.120.312–11
61–750.140.163–7
76–900.260.338–11

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

Most used players by position

Aberdeen

GKRBCBCBLBDMDMRWAMLWSTMitov 19Doohan 11Devlin 24Jensen 5Milne 1Rubezic 20Tobers 8MacDonald 4Molloy 19Knoester 5Dorrington 2MacKenzie 23McGarry 5Jensen 2Shinnie 23Palaversa 11Keskinen 2Nilsen 23Keskinen 17Morris 6Okkels 2Clarkson 13Gueye 6McGrath 4McGrath 13Keskinen 6Okkels 6Nisbet 14Sokler 11Gueye 24-2-3-1 in every start

Motherwell

GKCBCBCBRWBCMCMLWBAMAMSTOxborough 22Balcombe 7Mair 1Balmer 14O'Donnell 8McGinn 7Gordon 25Casey 24Blaney 10Seddon 2Kaleta 13O'Donnell 10Sparrow 4Halliday 25Zdravkovski 8Paton 4Miller 9Wilson 6Seddon 2Wilson 14Thompson 5Seddon 3Miller 12Sparrow 7Slattery 4Maswanhise 12Watt 5Stamatelopoulos 3Stamatelopoulos 10Robinson 5Armstrong 43-4-2-1 in 9 of 30 starts

Formations: 3-4-2-1 (9), 3-5-2 (9), 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)

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 January 2025Motherwell2–0AberdeenxG 1.36–0.89
14 September 2024Aberdeen2–1MotherwellxG 1.85–1.67
27 April 2024Aberdeen1–0MotherwellxG 2.32–0.41
16 March 2024Motherwell0–1AberdeenxG 1.32–1.17
14 February 2024Aberdeen3–3MotherwellxG 1.44–2.56
1 November 2023Motherwell2–4AberdeenxG 1.44–2.24

15 league meetings since 2020/21: Aberdeen won 7, Motherwell won 5, and 3 were drawn. Goals 21–21 and xG 1.53–1.30 per game.

Key players

Aberdeen

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Gueye9753510.420.05
McGrath191,567460.240.22
Duk8936020.250.20
Nisbet151,318740.350.08

Motherwell

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Ebiye3588200.420.04
Stamatelopoulos13897510.340.04
Miller242,085260.130.21
Watt101,219110.220.07

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