Digressive Celts

Matches › 2025/26

Falkirk 0–2 Hearts

Saturday 13 December 2025, 20:00 · Falkirk Stadium · Round 20 · Half-time 0–1 · Referee Calum Scott · Attendance 7,538

Hearts Braga 2', Kingsley 77'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

FalkirkHearts
Goals02
xG1.031.51
Expected Points0.941.72

Falkirk 20%Draw 34%Hearts 46%

Most likely score 1–1, 24%. Final score 0–2, 7%.

Hearts goalsFalkirk goals0123456+0123456+3%8%7%2%7%17%6%1%3%8%7%2%1%24%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

00.511.520153045607590HTGraham on for Agyeman, Tait on for Cartwright, and Williams on for Ross, 68'Arfield on for Miller, 76'Edwards on for Lissah, 82'Kingsley on for Milne, 74'Spittal on for Kyziridis and Kabangu on for Braga, 81'Kerjota on for Shankland, 82'McCart on for Devlin, 87'Braga 2'Kingsley 77'Hearts 1.51Falkirk 1.0300.511.520153045607590HTGraham on for Agyeman, Tait on for Cartwright, and Williams on for Ross, 68'Arfield on for Miller, 76'Edwards on for Lissah, 82'Kingsley on for Milne, 74'Spittal on for Kyziridis and Kabangu on for Braga, 81'Kerjota on for Shankland, 82'McCart on for Devlin, 87'Braga 2'Kingsley 77'1.511.03FalkirkHearts

Each side's xG added up shot by shot through the match. Triangles along the foot mark each side's substitutions.

Match stats

FalkirkHearts

1.03 −0.08xG1.51 −0.18
0.00 −1.20xG on target2.16 +0.11
6 −5Shots13 −2
1 −3.1Shots on target5 −0.2
2 +0.1Big chances2 −0.3
11 −8Touches in the opposition box21 −9
47% −3Possession53% 0
383 −7Passes439 +3
73% −2Pass accuracy74% −2
22% −26Field tilt78% +19
28 −5Final-third entries46 +3
5 −5Box entries12 −2
11.5 −2Passes per defensive action13.0 +2
3 −1.6Corners7 +1.3
22 +4Tackles18 −1
13 +4.8Interceptions15 +6.6
28 −3Clearances31 0
3 −0.8Saves0 −2.4
11 −2Fouls9 −3
1 −1.2Offsides0 −1.5

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

Falkirk

Wilson 43', 0.69 xGMiller 68', 0.12 xGHart 31', 0.11 xGHenderson 29', 0.05 xGLissah 42', 0.04 xGMiller 17', 0.02 xG0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals83%0.85 xGCentral box: 3 shots, 0.85 xG, 0 goals2%0.02 xGWide in the box: 1 shot, 0.02 xG, 0 goals16%0.16 xGEdge of the box: 2 shots, 0.16 xG, 0 goals0%0.00 xGFurther out: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals

Hearts

Shankland 80', 0.23 xGSteinwender 13', 0.10 xGShankland 21', 0.07 xGMagnússon 52', 0.07 xGBraga 70', 0.07 xGBraga 57', 0.06 xGShankland 31', 0.05 xGMagnússon 81', 0.05 xGKyziridis 56', 0.04 xGMagnússon 40', 0.03 xGShankland 2', 0.01 xGBraga 2', 0.67 xG, goalKingsley 77', 0.07 xG, goal44%0.67 xGSix-yard box: 1 shot, 0.67 xG, 1 goal25%0.38 xGCentral box: 6 shots, 0.38 xG, 0 goals25%0.38 xGWide in the box: 4 shots, 0.38 xG, 0 goals5%0.08 xGEdge of the box: 2 shots, 0.08 xG, 1 goal0%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

FalkirkHearts

0.87 4 shots, 0 goalsOpen play1.04 8 shots, 2 goals
0.00 0 shots, 0 goalsCounter-attacks0.23 1 shot, 0 goals
0.17 2 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces0.24 4 shots, 0 goals

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

Game state

Level
2 min (2%) · Falkirk 0.00, Hearts 0.68 xG
Hearts ahead
88 min (98%) · Falkirk 1.03, Hearts 0.82 xG

Line-ups

19282054281722292311BainLissahAllanHendersonHartSpencerCartwrightWilsonMillerRossAgyemanYellow cardYellow card82'68'76'68'68'Falkirk 4-2-3-1John McGlynn25154191831148922109SchwolowSteinwenderHalkettFindlayMilneMcEnteeDevlinKyziridisMagnússonBragaShanklandYellow cardYellow cardGoal74'87'81'81'82'Hearts 4-2-3-1Derek McInnes

Falkirk substitutes

  • 68' Tait for Cartwright
  • 68' Graham for Agyeman
  • 68' Williams for Ross
  • 76' Arfield for Miller
  • 82' Edwards for Lissah

Hearts substitutes

  • 74' Kingsley for Milne · goal 77'
  • 81' Spittal for Kyziridis
  • 81' Kabangu for Braga
  • 82' Kerjota for Shankland
  • 87' McCart for Devlin

Players

Falkirk

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
BainGK900.000.0000.0111
Lissah RB820.040.1310.341618
AllanCB900.000.0000.0235
HendersonCB900.050.0000.0337
Hart LB900.110.0000.01013
SpencerDM900.000.0100.0147
CartwrightDM680.000.0000.0113
WilsonRW900.690.0100.0524
MillerAM760.140.0710.0332
RossLW680.000.0110.0203
AgyemanST680.000.2110.0631
TaitMF220.000.0100.0670
GrahamFW220.000.0000.0000
WilliamsFW220.000.0100.0100
ArfieldMF140.000.0000.0120
EdwardsDF80.000.0000.0102

Hearts

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
SchwolowGK900.000.0000.0231
SteinwenderRB900.100.0200.091016
Halkett CB900.000.0000.0559
FindlayCB900.000.010−0.04811
MilneLB740.000.1500.06116
McEnteeDM9010.000.0210.0335
DevlinDM870.000.0100.0026
KyziridisRW810.040.5360.34112
Magnússon AM900.140.0300.0724
BragaLW8110.800.1330.0224
ShanklandST820.360.031−0.0221
KingsleyDF1610.070.0610.0411
SpittalMF90.000.0000.0000
KabanguFW90.000.0000.0000
KerjotaFW80.000.0000.0001
McCartDF30.000.0000.0110

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

Falkirk

Bain and Cartwright: 3 passesLissah and Ross: 3 passesHart and Agyeman: 3 passesSpencer and Cartwright: 3 passesSpencer and Wilson: 3 passesSpencer and Miller: 3 passesMiller and Agyeman: 3 passesBain and Lissah: 4 passesBain and Spencer: 4 passesAllan and Wilson: 4 passesCartwright and Wilson: 4 passesWilson and Agyeman: 4 passesLissah and Spencer: 6 passesHenderson and Allan: 6 passesHart and Spencer: 6 passesHart and Ross: 6 passesLissah and Allan: 7 passesLissah and Wilson: 7 passesHenderson and Spencer: 7 passesLissah and Agyeman: 8 passesBain and Allan: 9 passesHenderson and Ross: 9 passesLissah and Cartwright: 11 passesHenderson and Hart: 11 passesAllan and Spencer: 11 passesBain and Henderson: 12 passesBain: 21 completed passesLissah: 30 completed passesHenderson: 27 completed passesAllan: 21 completed passesHart: 17 completed passesSpencer: 21 completed passesCartwright: 13 completed passesWilson: 11 completed passesMiller: 9 completed passesRoss: 10 completed passesAgyeman: 4 completed passes19285204281722292311BainLissahHendersonAllanHartSpencerCartwrightWilsonMillerRossAgyemanStarters until 68' · lines join pairs with 3+ passes

Hearts

Schwolow and Findlay: 6 passesHalkett and Magnússon: 6 passesDevlin and Kyziridis: 6 passesDevlin and Magnússon: 6 passesKyziridis and Braga: 6 passesSteinwender and Braga: 7 passesHalkett and McEntee: 7 passesFindlay and McEntee: 7 passesDevlin and Shankland: 7 passesMcEntee and Kyziridis: 7 passesMilne and Devlin: 8 passesSchwolow and Halkett: 9 passesKyziridis and Shankland: 9 passesSteinwender and Devlin: 10 passesSteinwender and Halkett: 11 passesMilne and Shankland: 12 passesSteinwender and Kyziridis: 15 passesFindlay and Milne: 16 passesHalkett and Devlin: 18 passesMilne and Magnússon: 19 passesHalkett and Findlay: 20 passesMilne and Braga: 20 passesSchwolow: 16 completed passesSteinwender: 29 completed passesHalkett: 43 completed passesFindlay: 31 completed passesMilne: 48 completed passesDevlin: 37 completed passesMcEntee: 24 completed passesKyziridis: 26 completed passesMagnússon: 25 completed passesBraga: 20 completed passesShankland: 20 completed passes25154191814318922109SchwolowSteinwenderHalkettFindlayMilneDevlinMcEnteeKyziridisMagnússonBragaShanklandStarters until 74' · lines join pairs with 6+ 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

Falkirk

FromToPasses
SpencerAllan11
BainHenderson9
HendersonBain8
HendersonSpencer8
HartHenderson7

Hearts

FromToPasses
DevlinHalkett13
FindlayHalkett12
MilneBraga12
SteinwenderKyziridis11
MilneFindlay11

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

Defensive actions

Falkirk

15+7.54−3.111−3.63−4.54−1.321+12.012+5.63−4.14−3.19+0.75−2.37+2.130.06+1.94−2.94−0.36+2.21−0.95+2.27+2.93−1.24+2.41−0.220.02−0.75+4.11+0.80−0.60−0.31+0.1FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 16 matches

Hearts

4−0.14−2.313+2.26−0.14+0.610+2.89+1.26−0.89−0.110+3.34−2.260.08+2.511+3.87+1.82−3.82−2.62−0.85+0.77+2.61−1.92−0.52+0.20−1.88+5.210.03+2.60−0.21+0.50−1.1FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 16 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

Falkirk

0.010.010.010.010.020.010.010.020.020.050.010.030.090.110.02−0.010.080.020.01−0.010.010.16LessMore

Hearts

0.010.010.030.030.010.020.030.020.030.03−0.010.060.020.030.020.050.070.05−0.020.010.07−0.160.050.020.18LessMore

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 1.34AttackFalkirk1.08 → 1.07Hearts1.52 → 1.53Defence (lower is better)Falkirk1.48 → 1.49Hearts1.08 → 1.07

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
Falkirk
Top six31%25%−6
11th5%7%+2
Bottom1%2%+1
Hearts
Title7%10%+3
Aberdeen
Top six51%53%+2
Celtic
Title88%86%−2

From the forecast before the match (13 December 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

FalkirkHearts
Expected goals1.031.49
Win26%47%
Expected Points1.041.69
Clean sheet23%36%

Falkirk 26%Draw 27%Hearts 47%

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

Hearts goalsFalkirk goals0123456+0123456+9%9%4%2%8%9%5%2%4%6%5%2%1%2%2%11%13%

From the forecast as it stood on 13 December 2025: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowFalkirk winDrawHearts win
Falkirk
Top six31%44%30%25%
11th5%2%4%7%
Bottom1%<1%1%2%
Hearts
Title7%3%7%10%
Aberdeen
Top six51%45%52%53%
Celtic
Title88%92%89%86%

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

Falkirk

  1. L0–36 DecHibernian (A)xG 0.49–2.02
  2. D0–03 DecMotherwell (H)xG 0.57–0.47
  3. D0–030 NovRangers (A)xG 0.12–2.24
  4. W3–022 NovDundee United (A)xG 1.78–0.74
  5. D1–18 NovLivingston (H)xG 1.82–0.62
  6. W3–11 NovKilmarnock (H)xG 2.08–0.43

Hearts

  1. W2–17 DecCeltic (A)xG 0.52–1.87
  2. D1–13 DecKilmarnock (H)xG 2.19–1.80
  3. D0–029 NovMotherwell (A)xG 0.41–0.58
  4. L0–123 NovAberdeen (A)xG 2.30–0.56
  5. D1–19 NovDundee United (H)xG 0.45–0.34
  6. W4–01 NovDundee FC (H)xG 3.43–0.10

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

Season to date

FalkirkHearts
Position7th1st
Played1616
Won, drawn, lost5–⁠6–⁠510–⁠5–⁠1
Points21 (1.31 per game)35 (2.19 per game)
Expected Points per game1.211.88
Goals19–⁠2432–⁠13
xG per game1.11–⁠1.491.69–⁠0.87
Home: points, xG per game1.38, 1.36–⁠1.132.25, 1.70–⁠0.89
Away: points, xG per game1.25, 0.87–⁠1.852.12, 1.67–⁠0.85
ManagerJohn McGlynn (16)Derek McInnes (16)

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 1.34AttackFalkirk1.08, 10thHearts1.52, 4thDefence (lower is better)Falkirk1.48, 8thHearts1.08, 3rd

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecFalkirk attack: 1.08Hearts attack: 1.521.521.08HeartsFalkirkDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecFalkirk defence: 1.48Hearts defence: 1.081.481.08

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

FalkirkHearts
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play−13%+13%+13%−12%
Counter-attacks+3%+50%+4%−80%
Set pieces−16%−12%+70%−40%
Penalties−65%+5%+5%−100%
Headers−34%+12%+42%−37%
Left side−52%−13%+22%−39%
Centre−20%+13%+48%−32%
Right side+48%+32%−13%−7%

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

Falkirk attacking

Falkirk createdHearts concededLeft side−52%−7%Centre−20%−32%Right side+48%−39%Open play−13%−12%Counter-attacks+3%−80%Set pieces−16%−40%Headers−34%−37%

Hearts attacking

Hearts createdFalkirk concededLeft side+22%+32%Centre+48%+13%Right side−13%−13%Open play+13%+13%Counter-attacks+4%+50%Set pieces+70%−12%Headers+42%+12%

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

FalkirkHearts

1.11xG1.69
1.49xG against0.87
50%Possession53%
11.3Shots14.7
13.1Shots against9.2
4.1Shots on target5.2
1.9Big chances2.3
19.5Touches in the opposition box29.8
390Passes436
76%Pass accuracy77%
4.6Corners5.7
48%Field tilt60%
32.7Final-third entries43.0
10.4Box entries13.7
13.0Passes per defensive action11.5

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Falkirk

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level471.121.62
Ahead171.070.67
Behind261.131.77

Hearts

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level481.260.68
Ahead312.221.11
Behind112.050.96

xG by period

Falkirk

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.210.142–0
16–300.230.323–6
31–450.170.382–8
46–600.170.213–2
61–750.190.256–4
76–900.130.193–4

Hearts

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.140.132–1
16–300.220.075–4
31–450.280.175–3
46–600.350.128–2
61–750.190.116–1
76–900.500.276–2

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

Most used players by position

Falkirk

GKRBCBCBLBDMDMRWAMLWSTBain 16Adams 14Allan 1Yeats 1Allan 7Neilson 6Lissah 2Henderson 16McCann 8Lissah 6Neilson 1Spencer 16Cartwright 5Tait 11Wilson 7Miller 4Williams 2Miller 5Tait 4Williams 3Miller 6Williams 5Ross 3MacIver 9Graham 5Samuel-Ogunsuyi 24-2-3-1 in every start

Hearts

GKRBCBCBLBRMCMCMLMSTSTSchwolow 12Clark 4McEntee 10Kent 3Steinwender 2Halkett 13Steinwender 2Kent 1Findlay 15Shankland 1Kingsley 7Milne 6Devlin 2Milne 6Braga 4Kyziridis 2Baningime 7McEntee 3Magnússon 3Devlin 14Spittal 4Kyziridis 10Milne 3Braga 1Shankland 14Kaboré 4Findlay 1Braga 8McEntee 1Milne 14-4-2 in 10 of 16 starts

Formations: 4-4-2 (10), 3-5-2 (3), 4-2-3-1 (1), 5-4-1 (1), 4-3-3 (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
27 September 2025Hearts3–0FalkirkxG 1.94–0.67

1 league meeting since 2020/21: Falkirk won 0, Hearts won 1, and 0 were drawn. Goals 0–3 and xG 0.67–1.94 per game.

Key players

Falkirk

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
MacIver9661310.410.12
Graham5510300.460.04
Miller151,172330.230.19
Williams10862130.180.14

Hearts

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Braga131,161710.530.15
Kyziridis121,106340.140.35
Shankland151,338810.370.10
Milne161,376140.080.15

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