Digressive Celts

Matches › 2024/25

Motherwell 3–2 St. Johnstone

Saturday 26 April 2025, 15:00 · Fir Park · Round 34 · Half-time 2–1 · Referee Steven McLean · Attendance 4,412

Motherwell Slattery 39', Sprangler 40' (og), Sparrow 48'

St. Johnstone Kirk 6', Watt 66'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

MotherwellSt. Johnstone
Goals32
xG2.031.84
Expected Points1.491.25

Motherwell 41%Draw 26%St. Johnstone 33%

Most likely score 2–2, 12%. Final score 3–2, 7%.

St. Johnstone goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+3%3%2%2%5%1%3%6%2%2%6%7%4%1%3%3%2%9%9%9%12%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

01230153045607590HTArmstrong on for Paton, 70'Ebiye on for Watt and Zdravkovski on for Halliday, 81'Andrews on for Slattery, 90+2'Ikpeazu on for Sidibeh and Watt on for Duke-McKenna, 58'Kimpioka on for Holt, 84'Slattery 39'Sprangler 40' (og)Sparrow 48'Kirk 6'Watt 66'Motherwell 2.03St. Johnstone 1.8401230153045607590HTArmstrong on for Paton, 70'Ebiye on for Watt and Zdravkovski on for Halliday, 81'Andrews on for Slattery, 90+2'Ikpeazu on for Sidibeh and Watt on for Duke-McKenna, 58'Kimpioka on for Holt, 84'Slattery 39'Sprangler 40' (og)Sparrow 48'Kirk 6'Watt 66'2.031.84MotherwellSt. Johnstone

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

MotherwellSt. Johnstone

2.03 +1.01xG1.84 +0.86
1.52 +0.43xG on target1.89 +0.90
17 +7.6Shots15 +5.2
5 +1.9Shots on target4 +1.0
6 +4.4Big chances2 +0.7
27 +9Touches in the opposition box31 +16
45% +5Possession55% +2
361 +51Passes430 −3
78% +9Pass accuracy85% +8
44% +10Field tilt56% +11
34 +8Final-third entries43 +8
10 +2.6Box entries13 +4.6
11.6 −8Passes per defensive action9.1 −7
5 +0.6Corners9 +5.0
14 −2Tackles14 −1
10 +2.0Interceptions6 −2.0
33 0Clearances28 −5
3 −0.7Saves3 0.0
15 +4Fouls17 +7
1 −0.8Offsides0 −1.6

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

Watt 78', 0.29 xGKoutroumbis 40', 0.27 xGSparrow 65', 0.27 xGWatt 78', 0.24 xGCasey 38', 0.10 xGMiller 52', 0.07 xGMiller 90+4', 0.07 xGSlattery 52', 0.04 xGPaton 20', 0.03 xGSlattery 29', 0.03 xGMiller 52', 0.03 xGSlattery 82', 0.03 xGMiller 11', 0.02 xGSlattery 28', 0.02 xGCasey 82', 0.02 xGSparrow 48', 0.43 xG, goalSlattery 39', 0.07 xG, goal62%1.26 xGSix-yard box: 4 shots, 1.26 xG, 1 goal24%0.48 xGCentral box: 4 shots, 0.48 xG, 1 goal2%0.04 xGWide in the box: 1 shot, 0.04 xG, 0 goals12%0.24 xGEdge of the box: 7 shots, 0.24 xG, 0 goals1%0.02 xGFurther out: 1 shot, 0.02 xG, 0 goals

St. Johnstone

Ikpeazu 59', 0.64 xGSteven 59', 0.48 xGDuke-McKenna 34', 0.11 xGMcPake 45+1', 0.07 xGIkpeazu 90+6', 0.06 xGCarey 44', 0.04 xGMcPake 59', 0.04 xGIkpeazu 73', 0.04 xGSteven 50', 0.03 xGSteven 90+5', 0.03 xGSteven 23', 0.02 xGCarey 79', 0.02 xGMcPake 77', 0.01 xGKirk 6', 0.20 xG, goalWatt 66', 0.05 xG, goal60%1.11 xGSix-yard box: 2 shots, 1.11 xG, 0 goals22%0.40 xGCentral box: 5 shots, 0.40 xG, 1 goal11%0.20 xGWide in the box: 4 shots, 0.20 xG, 0 goals4%0.08 xGEdge of the box: 2 shots, 0.08 xG, 1 goal3%0.05 xGFurther out: 2 shots, 0.05 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

MotherwellSt. Johnstone

1.81 13 shots, 2 goalsOpen play0.51 8 shots, 2 goals
0.07 1 shot, 0 goalsCounter-attacks0.04 1 shot, 0 goals
0.15 3 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces1.29 6 shots, 0 goals

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

Game state

Level
7 min (7%) · Motherwell 0.00, St. Johnstone 0.20 xG
Motherwell ahead
57 min (59%) · Motherwell 1.75, St. Johnstone 1.51 xG
St. Johnstone ahead
33 min (34%) · Motherwell 0.28, St. Johnstone 0.13 xG

Line-ups

8822215567113812852BalcombeKoutroumbisO'DonnellCaseyThompsonSparrowHallidayMillerPatonSlatteryWattYellow cardGoalYellow cardYellow cardGoalYellow card81'70'90+2'81'Motherwell 4-4-1-1Michael Wimmer1374232171119272416FisherCurtisBalodisSpranglerDuke-McKennaHoltCareyStevenKirkMcPakeSidibehOwn goalGoal58'84'58'St. Johnstone 3-4-2-1Simo Valakari

Motherwell substitutes

  • 70' Armstrong for Paton
  • 81' Zdravkovski for Halliday
  • 81' Ebiye for Watt
  • 90+2' Andrews for Slattery

St. Johnstone substitutes

  • 58' Watt for Duke-McKenna · goal 66'
  • 58' Ikpeazu for Sidibeh · yellow card 84'
  • 84' Kimpioka for Holt

Players

Motherwell

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
BalcombeGK900.000.0100.0432
KoutroumbisRB900.270.0100.02210
O'Donnell CB900.000.0100.07710
CaseyCB900.120.0710.01412
ThompsonLB9010.000.4010.1933
Sparrow RM9010.700.0620.1262
Halliday CM810.000.271−0.0753
MillerCM900.200.0910.1288
PatonLM700.030.010−0.0120
Slattery AM9010.180.0400.0452
WattST8110.530.8830.4571
ArmstrongFW200.000.0100.0003
ZdravkovskiMF90.000.0010.0002
EbiyeMF90.000.0000.0001
AndrewsMF00.000.0000.0211

St. Johnstone

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
FisherGK900.000.0000.0221
CurtisCB900.000.0210.0446
BalodisCB900.000.0100.05410
SpranglerCB900.000.0100.0739
Duke-McKennaRWB580.110.0200.0143
HoltCM840.000.0410.0565
CareyCM900.050.2030.17195
StevenLWB900.550.0800.1197
KirkAM9010.200.0610.0751
McPakeAM9020.130.1930.2965
SidibehST580.000.000−0.0200
WattMF3210.050.1620.1480
Ikpeazu FW320.740.000−0.0500
KimpiokaFW60.000.0000.0100

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

Motherwell

Balcombe and Casey: 5 passesKoutroumbis and Slattery: 5 passesCasey and Slattery: 5 passesHalliday and Paton: 5 passesMiller and Watt: 5 passesKoutroumbis and Sparrow: 6 passesKoutroumbis and Miller: 6 passesBalcombe and O'Donnell: 7 passesO'Donnell and Miller: 7 passesThompson and Paton: 7 passesHalliday and Miller: 7 passesHalliday and Slattery: 7 passesCasey and Miller: 8 passesHalliday and Watt: 8 passesMiller and Slattery: 8 passesPaton and Slattery: 8 passesSlattery and Watt: 8 passesCasey and Thompson: 10 passesO'Donnell and Halliday: 10 passesO'Donnell and Slattery: 10 passesSparrow and Slattery: 10 passesKoutroumbis and Halliday: 11 passesKoutroumbis and O'Donnell: 13 passesCasey and O'Donnell: 21 passesBalcombe: 12 completed passesKoutroumbis: 27 completed passesCasey: 35 completed passesO'Donnell: 35 completed passesThompson: 21 completed passesSparrow: 15 completed passesHalliday: 28 completed passesMiller: 28 completed passesPaton: 16 completed passesSlattery: 31 completed passesWatt: 15 completed passes8822152567113812852BalcombeKoutroumbisCaseyO'DonnellThompsonSparrowHallidayMillerPatonSlatteryWattStarters until 70' · lines join pairs with 5+ passes

St. Johnstone

Fisher and Carey: 3 passesFisher and Holt: 3 passesSprangler and Curtis: 3 passesCurtis and Carey: 3 passesDuke-McKenna and Sidibeh: 3 passesSteven and Holt: 3 passesHolt and Sidibeh: 4 passesSprangler and McPake: 5 passesDuke-McKenna and Kirk: 5 passesCarey and Kirk: 5 passesFisher and Balodis: 7 passesSteven and McPake: 7 passesCarey and Holt: 7 passesFisher and Curtis: 8 passesDuke-McKenna and Carey: 8 passesCarey and McPake: 8 passesCurtis and Balodis: 10 passesSprangler and Holt: 11 passesBalodis and Holt: 11 passesSprangler and Carey: 12 passesCurtis and Duke-McKenna: 12 passesSteven and Carey: 12 passesSprangler and Steven: 13 passesCurtis and Holt: 13 passesSprangler and Balodis: 14 passesFisher and Sprangler: 16 passesFisher: 22 completed passesSprangler: 42 completed passesCurtis: 25 completed passesBalodis: 25 completed passesDuke-McKenna: 13 completed passesSteven: 17 completed passesCarey: 35 completed passesHolt: 28 completed passesMcPake: 10 completed passesKirk: 8 completed passesSidibeh: 5 completed passes1233742119117242716FisherSpranglerCurtisBalodisDuke-McKennaStevenCareyHoltMcPakeKirkSidibehStarters until 58' · 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
KoutroumbisO'Donnell12
CaseyO'Donnell11
O'DonnellCasey10
SparrowSlattery8
HallidaySlattery8

St. Johnstone

FromToPasses
BalodisSprangler16
SpranglerSteven13
CareySteven11
SpranglerFisher11
StevenMcPake11

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

Defensive actions

Motherwell

2−3.05−2.217−0.78+0.15−0.912+4.44−3.27+0.35−2.010+2.27+2.19+4.76+2.86+1.77+3.02−1.03+1.12−0.85+1.26+3.70−1.42+1.12+0.72+0.63+2.20−0.70−0.61+0.92+1.72−4.5FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 33 matches

St. Johnstone

3−2.53−4.414−4.212+4.97+1.55−2.58+0.49+2.313+6.17−0.62−3.23−1.50−3.46+1.52−3.730.06+3.34+2.35+2.47+3.56+3.90−1.41+0.11−0.33+1.32+1.42+1.70−0.40−0.30−0.7FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 33 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

0.010.040.030.030.010.020.040.080.040.030.030.040.020.010.040.080.010.04−0.12−0.060.090.49LessMore

St. Johnstone

0.020.010.020.020.020.030.040.020.020.030.010.060.080.020.020.030.010.090.030.09−0.060.080.030.120.13LessMore

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 1.35AttackMotherwell1.06 → 1.09St. Johnstone0.99 → 1.01Defence (lower is better)Motherwell1.56 → 1.56St. Johnstone1.55 → 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
11th5%1%−4
Bottom<1%–0
St. Johnstone
11th16%11%−5
Bottom76%85%+9
Dundee FC
11th36%41%+5
Bottom12%7%−5
Ross County
11th31%35%+4
Bottom9%6%−3

From the forecast before the match (26 April 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

MotherwellSt. Johnstone
Expected goals1.451.02
Win46%26%
Expected Points1.671.06
Clean sheet36%23%

Motherwell 46%Draw 28%St. Johnstone 26%

Most likely score 1–1, 13%. Both sides score 50%.

St. Johnstone goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+9%8%4%2%6%2%9%9%5%2%4%4%2%2%2%12%13%

From the forecast as it stood on 26 April 2025: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowMotherwell winDrawSt. Johnstone win
Motherwell
11th5%1%5%11%
Bottom<1%–<1%1%
St. Johnstone
11th16%11%16%25%
Bottom76%85%78%56%
Dundee FC
11th36%41%37%28%
Bottom12%7%12%22%
Ross County
11th31%35%30%25%
Bottom9%6%9%17%

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. D0–012 AprHearts (H)xG 0.27–1.12
  2. L0–25 AprKilmarnock (A)xG 0.18–1.22
  3. L1–429 MarAberdeen (A)xG 1.21–1.58
  4. D2–215 MarSt. Mirren (H)xG 0.67–1.24
  5. W2–11 MarRangers (A)xG 0.78–1.35
  6. W2–126 FebDundee FC (H)xG 1.10–1.42

St. Johnstone

  1. L0–112 AprDundee United (A)xG 0.95–1.17
  2. W1–06 AprCeltic (H)xG 0.52–2.32
  3. L0–329 MarHibernian (A)xG 0.02–2.12
  4. D0–015 MarAberdeen (H)xG 0.64–0.58
  5. D1–11 MarDundee FC (A)xG 0.59–1.59
  6. W1–026 FebRoss County (H)xG 1.26–0.26

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

Season to date

MotherwellSt. Johnstone
Position8th12th
Played3333
Won, drawn, lost11–⁠6–⁠168–⁠5–⁠20
Points39 (1.18 per game)29 (0.88 per game)
Expected Points per game1.031.07
Goals37–⁠5633–⁠58
xG per game1.02–⁠1.580.98–⁠1.51
Home: points, xG per game1.44, 1.08–⁠1.521.06, 1.12–⁠1.48
Away: points, xG per game0.94, 0.97–⁠1.630.71, 0.85–⁠1.54
ManagerMichael Wimmer (7)Simo Valakari (26)

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 1.35AttackMotherwell1.06, 10thSt. Johnstone0.99, 12thDefence (lower is better)Motherwell1.56, 10thSt. Johnstone1.55, 9th

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMotherwell attack: 1.06St. Johnstone attack: 0.991.060.99St. JohnstoneMotherwellDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMotherwell defence: 1.56St. Johnstone defence: 1.551.561.55

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

MotherwellSt. Johnstone
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play−34%+19%−34%+16%
Counter-attacks−41%−17%−61%−1%
Set pieces+1%+8%−24%+4%
Penalties−58%+4%+4%−38%
Headers+18%+17%−22%+14%
Left side−47%+32%−25%+26%
Centre−18%+2%−40%+8%
Right side−17%+16%−27%+2%

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 createdSt. Johnstone concededLeft side−47%+2%Centre−18%+8%Right side−17%+26%Open play−34%+16%Counter-attacks−41%−1%Set pieces+1%+4%Headers+18%+14%

St. Johnstone attacking

St. Johnstone createdMotherwell concededLeft side−25%+16%Centre−40%+2%Right side−27%+32%Open play−34%+19%Counter-attacks−61%−17%Set pieces−24%+8%Headers−22%+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

MotherwellSt. Johnstone

1.02xG0.98
1.58xG against1.51
40%Possession52%
9.4Shots9.8
14.5Shots against13.8
3.1Shots on target3.0
1.6Big chances1.3
17.6Touches in the opposition box15.5
310Passes433
69%Pass accuracy77%
4.4Corners4.0
34%Field tilt46%
25.8Final-third entries35.1
7.4Box entries8.4
19.1Passes per defensive action15.8

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Motherwell

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level381.181.55
Ahead230.801.52
Behind291.001.66

St. Johnstone

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level371.051.61
Ahead141.041.61
Behind390.901.38

xG by period

Motherwell

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.140.236–7
16–300.230.2410–9
31–450.140.318–8
46–600.130.302–12
61–750.130.163–7
76–900.250.348–13

St. Johnstone

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.100.183–7
16–300.090.292–14
31–450.190.226–8
46–600.180.247–12
61–750.140.186–6
76–900.280.409–11

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 10Mair 1Balmer 16O'Donnell 11McGinn 7Gordon 26Casey 27Blaney 10Seddon 2Kaleta 13O'Donnell 10Sparrow 7Halliday 28Zdravkovski 8Andrews 4Miller 10Wilson 6Paton 4Wilson 14Thompson 7Seddon 3Miller 14Sparrow 7Slattery 6Maswanhise 13Watt 5Paton 3Stamatelopoulos 10Armstrong 6Robinson 53-4-2-1 in 11 of 33 starts

Formations: 3-4-2-1 (11), 3-5-2 (9), 3-4-3 (4), 3-4-1-2 (3), 5-3-2 (2), 3-5-1-1 (2), 3-1-4-2 (1), 5-4-1 (1)

St. Johnstone

GKCBCBCBRWBCMCMCMLWBSTSTRae 13Fisher 10Sinclair 10Cameron 12Wright 11Neilson 10Sanders 21Mitchell 6Kucheriavyi 1Mikulic 13Douglas 7Curtis 9Wright 9Clark 7Smith 14Carey 10MacPhers… 3MacPhersonSprangler 24Clark 3Sidibeh 2Holt 19Griffith 4Essel 4Raymond 13Wright 9Douglas 3Sidibeh 16Kirk 16Kimpioka 18Clark 8Griffith 23-5-2 in 7 of 33 starts

Formations: 3-5-2 (7), 4-3-1-2 (7), 3-4-3 (5), 3-4-2-1 (3), 3-4-1-2 (2), 4-4-1-1 (2), 4-3-3 (2), 4-4-2 (2), 4-2-3-1 (1), 4-3-2-1 (1), 4-1-3-2 (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
25 January 2025St. Johnstone2–1MotherwellxG 1.50–1.22
9 November 2024Motherwell2–1St. JohnstonexG 1.44–1.18
31 August 2024St. Johnstone1–2MotherwellxG 0.74–0.89
19 May 2024Motherwell1–2St. JohnstonexG 2.48–1.82
27 January 2024St. Johnstone1–1MotherwellxG 0.82–0.87
9 December 2023Motherwell1–1St. JohnstonexG 1.21–1.33

17 league meetings since 2020/21: Motherwell won 5, St. Johnstone won 6, and 6 were drawn. Goals 20–22 and xG 1.02–1.19 per game.

Key players

Motherwell

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Ebiye3588200.420.04
Stamatelopoulos13897510.340.04
Armstrong7559200.320.01
Miller272,355260.120.19

St. Johnstone

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Carey131,435330.170.29
Clark181,536620.350.06
Sidibeh181,715320.250.09
Kimpioka191,790620.270.04

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