Digressive Celts

Matches › 2025/26

Motherwell 2–0 Aberdeen

Saturday 27 September 2025, 17:45 · Fir Park · Round 6 · Half-time 0–0 · Referee Ryan Lee · Attendance 7,195

Motherwell Koutroumbis 90+2', Stamatelopoulos 90+7' (pen)

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

MotherwellAberdeen
Goals20
xG2.031.00
Non-penalty xG1.241.00
Expected Points2.170.60

Motherwell 65%Draw 23%Aberdeen 12%

Most likely score 2–1, 16%. Final score 2–0, 13%.

Aberdeen goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+2%2%9%11%5%1%9%2%7%9%4%1%2%2%1%13%16%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

01230153045607590HTKoutroumbis on for O'Donnell, 74'Osong on for Charles-Cook, 85'Balmer on for Welsh and Halliday on for Said, 90+4'Dorrington on for Knoester and Keskinen on for Gyamfi, 46'Jensen on for Tobers and Clarkson on for Shinnie, 61'Lazetic on for Nisbet, 80'Koutroumbis 90+2'Stamatelopoulos 90+7' (pen)Motherwell 2.03Aberdeen 1.0001230153045607590HTKoutroumbis on for O'Donnell, 74'Osong on for Charles-Cook, 85'Balmer on for Welsh and Halliday on for Said, 90+4'Dorrington on for Knoester and Keskinen on for Gyamfi, 46'Jensen on for Tobers and Clarkson on for Shinnie, 61'Lazetic on for Nisbet, 80'Koutroumbis 90+2'Stamatelopoulos 90+7' (pen)2.031.00MotherwellAberdeen

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

MotherwellAberdeen

2.03 +0.38xG1.00 −0.09
1.24Non-penalty xG1.00
1.30 −0.12xG on target0.40 +0.09
11 −2Shots10 −2
3 −1.0Shots on target4 +1.8
3 +1.0Big chances1 −0.4
24 −3Touches in the opposition box18 −3
63% +4Possession37% −9
618 +78Passes361 −14
91% +6Pass accuracy80% +6
68% +8Field tilt32% −12
48 −2Final-third entries35 +6
12 −4.2Box entries11 +1.6
17.2 +6Passes per defensive action21.0 +4
3 −1.6Corners4 +0.4
11 −3Tackles15 0
4 −3.6Interceptions7 +1.4
14 −7Clearances29 +2
4 0.0Saves1 −2.2
10 −3Fouls18 +3
2 −1.0Offsides2 −0.6

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

Stamatelopoulos 63', 0.58 xGStamatelopoulos 79', 0.23 xGMaswanhise 78', 0.08 xGCharles-Cook 81', 0.08 xGSaid 31', 0.06 xGLongelo 79', 0.05 xGStamatelopoulos 29', 0.04 xGCharles-Cook 14', 0.03 xGMaswanhise 71', 0.03 xGKoutroumbis 90+2', 0.08 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals86%1.07 xGCentral box: 6 shots, 1.07 xG, 1 goal6%0.08 xGWide in the box: 2 shots, 0.08 xG, 0 goals7%0.09 xGEdge of the box: 2 shots, 0.09 xG, 0 goals0%0.00 xGFurther out: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals

Aberdeen

Devlin 43', 0.21 xGNisbet 45+2', 0.19 xGKeskinen 90', 0.19 xGLazetic 90+1', 0.13 xGNisbet 1', 0.09 xGNisbet 3', 0.07 xGKarlsson 11', 0.06 xGGyamfi 12', 0.04 xGAouchiche 37', 0.02 xGKarlsson 69', 0.02 xG0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals49%0.49 xGCentral box: 3 shots, 0.49 xG, 0 goals29%0.29 xGWide in the box: 3 shots, 0.29 xG, 0 goals22%0.22 xGEdge of the box: 4 shots, 0.22 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

MotherwellAberdeen

1.24 10 shots, 1 goalOpen play0.67 7 shots, 0 goals
0.00 0 shots, 0 goalsCounter-attacks0.31 2 shots, 0 goals
0.00 0 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces0.02 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
94 min (94%) · Motherwell 1.24, Aberdeen 1.00 xG
Motherwell ahead
6 min (6%) · Motherwell 0.79, Aberdeen 0.00 xG

Line-ups

1324574512201890779WardO'DonnellGordonWelshLongeloFadingerWattMaswanhiseSaidCharles-CookStamatelopoulosGoal74'90+4'90+4'85'Motherwell 4-2-3-1Jens Berthel Askou12422521847771715MitovTobersMilneKnoesterDevlinPalaversaShinnieGyamfiAouchicheKarlssonNisbetYellow cardYellow cardYellow card61'46'61'46'80'Aberdeen 3-4-2-1Jimmy Thelin

Motherwell substitutes

  • 74' Koutroumbis for O'Donnell · goal 90+2'
  • 85' Osong for Charles-Cook
  • 90+4' Balmer for Welsh
  • 90+4' Halliday for Said

Aberdeen substitutes

  • 46' Dorrington for Knoester
  • 46' Keskinen for Gyamfi
  • 61' Jensen for Tobers
  • 61' Clarkson for Shinnie
  • 80' Lazetic for Nisbet

Players

Motherwell

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
WardGK900.000.0000.0741
O'DonnellRB740.000.0310.0782
GordonCB900.000.0100.09126
WelshCB900.000.0100.0755
LongeloLB900.050.0110.0462
FadingerDM900.000.0220.0242
WattDM900.000.1400.15174
MaswanhiseRW900.100.0200.1032
SaidAM900.060.1420.2271
Charles-CookLW850.100.0200.0562
StamatelopoulosST90111.630.0210.0001
KoutroumbisDF1610.080.0310.0632
OsongFW50.000.0000.0120
BalmerDF00.000.0000.0001
HallidayMF00.000.000––0

Aberdeen

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
MitovGK900.000.0000.0110
Tobers CB610.000.0000.0316
MilneCB900.000.0000.0326
Knoester CB460.000.0100.0775
DevlinRWB900.210.0910.0617
Palaversa CM900.000.0200.05310
ShinnieCM610.000.0210.0845
GyamfiLWB460.040.1410.1710
AouchicheAM900.020.0200.0537
KarlssonAM900.080.1840.2680
NisbetST800.340.172−0.0121
DorringtonDF440.000.0000.0255
KeskinenFW440.190.0000.0221
JensenDF290.000.0100.0201
ClarksonMF290.000.0110.0422
LazeticFW100.130.0000.0210

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

Ward and Fadinger: 6 passesSaid and Charles-Cook: 7 passesO'Donnell and Said: 8 passesLongelo and Watt: 8 passesWatt and Maswanhise: 8 passesO'Donnell and Maswanhise: 9 passesGordon and Fadinger: 9 passesO'Donnell and Charles-Cook: 10 passesLongelo and Fadinger: 10 passesFadinger and Charles-Cook: 10 passesWatt and Said: 10 passesWard and O'Donnell: 11 passesLongelo and Charles-Cook: 11 passesWatt and Charles-Cook: 14 passesWard and Watt: 15 passesWard and Gordon: 17 passesWelsh and Longelo: 17 passesO'Donnell and Fadinger: 18 passesGordon and Welsh: 24 passesFadinger and Watt: 25 passesWelsh and Fadinger: 26 passesGordon and Watt: 28 passesWard and Welsh: 29 passesWelsh and Watt: 30 passesO'Donnell and Watt: 31 passesO'Donnell and Gordon: 33 passesWard: 45 completed passesO'Donnell: 69 completed passesGordon: 64 completed passesWelsh: 70 completed passesLongelo: 28 completed passesFadinger: 57 completed passesWatt: 86 completed passesMaswanhise: 8 completed passesSaid: 17 completed passesCharles-Cook: 29 completed passesStamatelopoulos: 6 completed passes1324574512201890779WardO'DonnellGordonWelshLongeloFadingerWattMaswanhiseSaidCharles-CookStamatelopoulosStarters until 74' · lines join pairs with 6+ passes

Aberdeen

Mitov and Tobers: 3 passesMitov and Aouchiche: 3 passesTobers and Palaversa: 3 passesKnoester and Karlsson: 3 passesMilne and Palaversa: 3 passesPalaversa and Karlsson: 3 passesShinnie and Nisbet: 3 passesKarlsson and Nisbet: 3 passesTobers and Knoester: 4 passesMilne and Shinnie: 4 passesGyamfi and Shinnie: 4 passesGyamfi and Karlsson: 4 passesPalaversa and Aouchiche: 4 passesMitov and Milne: 5 passesTobers and Aouchiche: 5 passesTobers and Devlin: 6 passesDevlin and Aouchiche: 6 passesShinnie and Karlsson: 6 passesKnoester and Shinnie: 7 passesKnoester and Gyamfi: 10 passesMitov and Knoester: 11 passesTobers and Milne: 14 passesKnoester and Milne: 16 passesMitov: 15 completed passesTobers: 18 completed passesKnoester: 29 completed passesMilne: 23 completed passesDevlin: 8 completed passesGyamfi: 9 completed passesPalaversa: 11 completed passesShinnie: 14 completed passesAouchiche: 10 completed passesKarlsson: 10 completed passesNisbet: 6 completed passes12452227718471715MitovTobersKnoesterMilneDevlinGyamfiPalaversaShinnieAouchicheKarlssonNisbetStarters 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
WelshWard26
WelshWatt24
WardWelsh21
WattWelsh18
WattGordon18

Aberdeen

FromToPasses
MitovMilne11
TobersMilne10
MilneTobers9
KnoesterMilne8
MilneKnoester8

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

Defensive actions

Motherwell

2−1.49+4.65−4.60−3.43−3.08+3.23−2.87−0.26−1.05+1.830.03−1.45+0.66+1.41−1.62−2.03−1.84+1.21−0.810.01−0.62−0.81+0.21+0.40−0.61+0.41+0.42−6.00−6.41−5.6FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 5 matches

Aberdeen

7+1.011+5.09−2.213+5.04−1.27−1.84−2.66+2.610−0.65−1.63−3.41−2.42−0.66+0.810+1.62−1.63−0.42−1.03−0.24−1.82−0.410.01+0.81−0.43+0.80−0.40−0.210.02+1.81+0.4FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 5 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

0.010.020.010.020.050.040.010.010.030.060.020.040.020.090.060.030.010.050.050.010.08−0.02−0.010.100.13LessMore

Aberdeen

0.010.010.010.020.020.010.010.020.010.020.050.050.010.060.080.050.01−0.020.030.060.070.140.21LessMore

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 1.37AttackMotherwell1.29 → 1.31Aberdeen1.21 → 1.18Defence (lower is better)Motherwell1.38 → 1.35Aberdeen1.43 → 1.44

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 six52%59%+7
11th4%2%−2
Bottom2%1%−1
Aberdeen
Top six16%12%−4
11th14%16%+2
Bottom8%10%+2

From the forecast before the match (27 September 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

MotherwellAberdeen
Expected goals1.571.10
Win47%26%
Expected Points1.691.05
Clean sheet33%21%

Motherwell 47%Draw 26%Aberdeen 26%

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

Aberdeen goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+8%7%4%2%7%2%8%5%2%4%5%3%1%2%2%1%10%13%9%

From the forecast as it stood on 27 September 2025: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowMotherwell winDrawAberdeen win
Motherwell
Top six52%59%49%40%
11th4%2%4%6%
Bottom2%1%2%2%
Aberdeen
Top six16%12%16%23%
11th14%16%14%10%
Bottom8%10%9%5%

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. D1–113 SepDundee FC (A)xG 2.28–0.82
  2. D2–230 AugKilmarnock (H)xG 1.76–1.20
  3. D3–323 AugHearts (A)xG 1.52–2.21
  4. D0–09 AugSt. Mirren (A)xG 0.53–1.31
  5. D1–12 AugRangers (H)xG 2.15–0.83
  6. D1–118 MayRoss County (A)xG 2.00–1.09

Aberdeen

  1. L0–223 SepDundee United (A)xG 1.33–1.33
  2. D0–013 SepLivingston (H)xG 1.22–0.56
  3. L0–131 AugFalkirk (H)xG 0.96–1.26
  4. L0–210 AugCeltic (H)xG 0.55–1.17
  5. L0–24 AugHearts (A)xG 1.40–1.03
  6. L1–217 MayDundee United (A)xG 1.70–1.93

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

Season to date

MotherwellAberdeen
Position8th12th
Played55
Won, drawn, lost0–⁠5–⁠00–⁠1–⁠4
Points5 (1.00 per game)1 (0.20 per game)
Expected Points per game1.591.37
Goals7–⁠70–⁠7
xG per game1.65–⁠1.271.09–⁠1.07
Home: points, xG per game1.00, 1.96–⁠1.010.33, 0.91–⁠1.00
Away: points, xG per game1.00, 1.44–⁠1.450.00, 1.36–⁠1.18
ManagerJens Berthel Askou (5)Jimmy Thelin (43)

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 1.37AttackMotherwell1.29, 5thAberdeen1.21, 8thDefence (lower is better)Motherwell1.38, 6thAberdeen1.43, 7th

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.0SepMotherwell attack: 1.29Aberdeen attack: 1.211.291.21AberdeenMotherwellDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.0SepMotherwell defence: 1.38Aberdeen defence: 1.431.431.38

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

MotherwellAberdeen
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play+49%−8%+2%−12%
Counter-attacks+75%−2%−68%−64%
Set pieces−21%+35%−7%+24%
Penalties−94%−84%−97%−84%
Headers−5%+10%−41%+19%
Left side+40%−14%−18%−14%
Centre−12%+23%−1%−7%
Right side+116%−14%−17%+6%

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. Until a side has played six matches its figures are blended with last season's, or with the league average where there is no last season to use.

Matchups

Motherwell attacking

Motherwell createdAberdeen concededLeft side+40%+6%Centre−12%−7%Right side+116%−14%Open play+49%−12%Counter-attacks+75%−64%Set pieces−21%+24%Headers−5%+19%

Aberdeen attacking

Aberdeen createdMotherwell concededLeft side−18%−14%Centre−1%+23%Right side−17%−14%Open play+2%−8%Counter-attacks−68%−2%Set pieces−7%+35%Headers−41%+10%

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

MotherwellAberdeen

1.65xG1.09
1.27xG against1.07
59%Possession46%
13.4Shots12.2
11.4Shots against13.2
4.0Shots on target2.2
2.0Big chances1.4
27.2Touches in the opposition box20.6
540Passes375
84%Pass accuracy74%
4.6Corners3.6
61%Field tilt44%
50.4Final-third entries28.8
16.2Box entries9.4
11.5Passes per defensive action17.0

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Motherwell

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level511.171.27
Ahead191.622.20
Behind202.900.40

Aberdeen

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level500.970.97
Ahead0––
Behind401.251.19

xG by period

Motherwell

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.010.150–1
16–300.240.091–1
31–450.330.052–0
46–600.420.201–1
61–750.370.212–2
76–900.280.581–2

Aberdeen

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.100.100–1
16–300.140.230–1
31–450.190.150–1
46–600.230.280–1
61–750.140.260–3
76–900.280.050–0

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

Most used players by position

Motherwell

GKRBCBCBLBDMDMRWAMLWSTWard 5Koutroumbis 3O'Donnell 2Gordon 3O'Donnell 1Balmer 1McGinn 4Welsh 1Longelo 5Fadinger 5Just 2Watt 3Maswanhise 4Said 1Watt 2Slattery 2Said 1Just 2Said 1Charles-Cook 1Stamatelopoulos 4Maswanhise 14-2-3-1 in 3 of 5 starts

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

Aberdeen

GKRBCBCBLBDMDMRWAMLWSTMitov 5Jensen 5Milne 3Dorrington 2Devlin 1Knoester 4Gyamfi 2Shinnie 2Devlin 1Nilsen 4Dorrington 1Armstrong 1Clarkson 2Shinnie 1Palaversa 1Milanovic 4Keskinen 1Aouchiche 3Polvara 2Keskinen 3Karlsson 2Yengi 3Nisbet 24-2-3-1 in every start

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
29 March 2025Aberdeen4–1MotherwellxG 1.58–1.21
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

16 league meetings since 2020/21: Motherwell won 5, Aberdeen won 8, and 3 were drawn. Goals 22–25 and xG 1.29–1.53 per game.

Key players

Motherwell

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Stamatelopoulos171,215510.420.05
Longelo5450310.270.14
Maswanhise222,000930.250.07
Slattery151,281710.140.13

Aberdeen

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Nisbet242,0971150.300.07
Polvara3481000.240.12
Morris111,365360.170.17
Sokler121,009210.270.04

Up to four players a side with the most xG plus xA per 90 minutes, from those with at least 450 league minutes. Until a side has played six matches, last season's minutes at the club count too.