Digressive Celts

Matches › 2025/26

Motherwell 2–0 St. Mirren

Saturday 3 January 2026, 15:00 · Fir Park · Round 21 · Half-time 1–0 · Referee Calum Scott · Attendance 7,934

Motherwell Maswanhise 35', Watt 57'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

MotherwellSt. Mirren
Goals20
xG1.880.30
Expected Points2.560.28

Motherwell 80%Draw 17%St. Mirren 4%

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

St. Mirren goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+8%2%7%7%1%14%4%5%2%1%21%24%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

00.511.520153045607590HTPriestman on for Watt and Sparrow on for Maswanhise, 73'Ross on for Just and Osong on for Said, 89'McAllister on for Slattery, 90+3'Donnelly on for King and Mooney on for Nlundulu, 46'Dijksteel on for Richardson and Idowu on for Mandron, 67'Taylor on for McMenamin, 80'Maswanhise 35'Watt 57'Motherwell 1.88St. Mirren 0.3000.511.520153045607590HTPriestman on for Watt and Sparrow on for Maswanhise, 73'Ross on for Just and Osong on for Said, 89'McAllister on for Slattery, 90+3'Donnelly on for King and Mooney on for Nlundulu, 46'Dijksteel on for Richardson and Idowu on for Mandron, 67'Taylor on for McMenamin, 80'Maswanhise 35'Watt 57'1.880.30MotherwellSt. Mirren

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. Mirren

1.88 +0.44xG0.30 −0.92
3.17 +1.73xG on target0.40 −0.59
15 +3Shots9 −4
9 +4.8Shots on target2 −1.7
3 +0.7Big chances0 −1.8
40 +17Touches in the opposition box24 −1
55% −4Possession45% 0
502 −55Passes396 +53
83% −2Pass accuracy75% +2
62% +2Field tilt38% −9
51 +3Final-third entries37 −1
21 +7Box entries11 0
13.0 0Passes per defensive action11.5 −6
9 +5.7Corners8 +1.9
16 +1Tackles19 +7
11 +3.2Interceptions12 +5.3
42 +20Clearances21 −9
2 −1.1Saves6 +2.9
10 −1Fouls13 +1
4 +1.5Offsides1 −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

Maswanhise 17', 0.43 xGMaswanhise 57', 0.39 xGFadinger 65', 0.17 xGSlattery 26', 0.12 xGSaid 75', 0.08 xGLongelo 75', 0.06 xGFadinger 24', 0.04 xGSlattery 26', 0.04 xGSlattery 7', 0.03 xGJust 65', 0.03 xGWatt 53', 0.02 xGJust 45+1', 0.01 xGSlattery 76', 0.01 xGMaswanhise 35', 0.41 xG, goalWatt 57', 0.06 xG, goal0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals84%1.58 xGCentral box: 6 shots, 1.58 xG, 1 goal3%0.06 xGWide in the box: 1 shot, 0.06 xG, 0 goals11%0.20 xGEdge of the box: 6 shots, 0.20 xG, 1 goal2%0.04 xGFurther out: 2 shots, 0.04 xG, 0 goals

St. Mirren

Nlundulu 22', 0.05 xGMandron 35', 0.05 xGMooney 70', 0.05 xGMcMenamin 70', 0.04 xGNlundulu 5', 0.03 xGFreckleton 62', 0.03 xGDonnelly 59', 0.02 xGPhillips 70', 0.02 xGFreckleton 45+2', 0.01 xG0%0.00 xGSix-yard box: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals21%0.06 xGCentral box: 2 shots, 0.06 xG, 0 goals28%0.08 xGWide in the box: 2 shots, 0.08 xG, 0 goals48%0.14 xGEdge of the box: 4 shots, 0.14 xG, 0 goals3%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

MotherwellSt. Mirren

1.41 11 shots, 1 goalOpen play0.17 5 shots, 0 goals
0.41 1 shot, 1 goalCounter-attacks0.00 0 shots, 0 goals
0.06 3 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces0.12 4 shots, 0 goals

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

Game state

Level
35 min (37%) · Motherwell 1.07, St. Mirren 0.13 xG
Motherwell ahead
60 min (63%) · Motherwell 0.82, St. Mirren 0.17 xG

Line-ups

13216574520218121890WardO'DonnellMcGinnWelshLongeloWattJustSlatteryFadingerMaswanhiseSaidGoalGoal73'89'90+3'73'89'Motherwell 4-1-3-2Jens Berthel Askou122521213882410149GeorgeFraserKingFreckletonRichardsonGogicPhillipsJohnMcMenaminNlunduluMandronYellow cardYellow cardYellow cardYellow card46'67'80'46'67'St. Mirren 3-4-1-2Stephen Robinson

Motherwell substitutes

  • 73' Priestman for Watt
  • 73' Sparrow for Maswanhise
  • 89' Osong for Said
  • 89' Ross for Just
  • 90+3' McAllister for Slattery

St. Mirren substitutes

  • 46' Mooney for Nlundulu
  • 46' Donnelly for King
  • 67' Dijksteel for Richardson
  • 67' Idowu for Mandron
  • 80' Taylor for McMenamin

Players

Motherwell

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
WardGK900.000.0000.0551
O'DonnellRB900.000.0710.17139
McGinnCB900.000.0200.03315
WelshCB900.000.0000.02311
LongeloLB900.060.0400.09510
WattDM7310.080.0310.0246
JustCM8910.040.6330.2493
SlatteryAM900.200.3010.37125
FadingerCM900.200.0220.0126
MaswanhiseST73111.230.082−0.0612
SaidST890.080.7530.3762
PriestmanMF170.000.000−0.0102
SparrowMF170.000.0200.0010
OsongFW10.000.0000.0000
RossFW10.000.0000.0001
McAllisterMF00.000.000––0

St. Mirren

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPxTProgDef
GeorgeGK900.000.0100.0970
FraserCB900.000.0100.0259
King CB460.000.0100.0226
Freckleton CB900.040.0110.0999
RichardsonRWB670.000.0000.0103
Gogic CM900.000.021−0.1037
PhillipsCM900.020.0700.0044
JohnLWB900.000.2510.1377
McMenaminAM800.040.1210.0922
Nlundulu ST460.080.0100.0421
MandronST670.050.0310.0212
MooneyMF440.050.000−0.0510
DonnellyMF440.020.0110.0234
DijksteelMF230.000.020−0.0221
IdowuMF230.000.0200.0220
TaylorMF100.000.000−0.0201

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

Longelo and Just: 6 passesLongelo and Maswanhise: 6 passesWelsh and Fadinger: 7 passesWatt and Just: 7 passesJust and Said: 8 passesO'Donnell and Fadinger: 9 passesO'Donnell and Maswanhise: 9 passesMcGinn and Watt: 9 passesMcGinn and Slattery: 9 passesWatt and Said: 9 passesJust and Slattery: 9 passesWard and O'Donnell: 10 passesWard and Watt: 10 passesLongelo and Said: 10 passesJust and Maswanhise: 10 passesMcGinn and Welsh: 12 passesWelsh and Watt: 12 passesLongelo and Fadinger: 12 passesWatt and Slattery: 12 passesWard and Welsh: 13 passesO'Donnell and McGinn: 14 passesSlattery and Said: 14 passesLongelo and Watt: 16 passesWard and McGinn: 17 passesO'Donnell and Watt: 17 passesO'Donnell and Slattery: 19 passesWard: 29 completed passesO'Donnell: 48 completed passesMcGinn: 41 completed passesWelsh: 28 completed passesLongelo: 34 completed passesWatt: 54 completed passesFadinger: 23 completed passesJust: 26 completed passesSlattery: 38 completed passesSaid: 26 completed passesMaswanhise: 12 completed passes13216574520122189018WardO'DonnellMcGinnWelshLongeloWattFadingerJustSlatterySaidMaswanhiseStarters until 73' · lines join pairs with 6+ passes

St. Mirren

George and King: 3 passesGeorge and Nlundulu: 3 passesKing and Richardson: 3 passesFreckleton and Fraser: 3 passesPhillips and Mandron: 3 passesJohn and Nlundulu: 3 passesGeorge and Freckleton: 4 passesGeorge and Fraser: 4 passesGeorge and Mandron: 4 passesKing and Gogic: 4 passesKing and Phillips: 4 passesFreckleton and John: 4 passesJohn and Mandron: 4 passesMcMenamin and Mandron: 4 passesMandron and Nlundulu: 4 passesKing and Freckleton: 5 passesPhillips and McMenamin: 6 passesKing and Fraser: 7 passesFreckleton and Phillips: 7 passesGeorge: 13 completed passesKing: 18 completed passesFreckleton: 13 completed passesFraser: 10 completed passesRichardson: 4 completed passesGogic: 6 completed passesPhillips: 15 completed passesJohn: 10 completed passesMcMenamin: 12 completed passesMandron: 8 completed passesNlundulu: 5 completed passes152122213882410914GeorgeKingFreckletonFraserRichardsonGogicPhillipsJohnMcMenaminMandronNlunduluStarters 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
WelshWard11
LongeloFadinger11
O'DonnellSlattery11
SlatterySaid10
McGinnWard9

St. Mirren

FromToPasses
FreckletonGogic10
GogicFreckleton9
JohnFreckleton8
FreckletonJohn8
GogicFraser8

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

Defensive actions

Motherwell

3−0.67+0.324+12.15−1.05+1.06+0.29+1.720+13.410+2.23−3.36+0.16+1.67+3.79+4.77+1.62−2.55+0.54+1.95+2.53−1.01−2.01−0.92+1.11−0.43+1.20−1.10−0.61+0.30−0.30−0.6FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 20 matches

St. Mirren

7+2.76−1.819+1.78+1.53−1.72−4.18+0.410+4.17−0.13−2.30−4.66+2.05+2.17+3.44+0.33−0.70−3.26+3.29+6.65+1.90−2.63+1.02+0.45+3.44+1.20−0.90−0.41−0.21+0.90−0.6FewerMore than the season average

Against its average of 18 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

0.010.010.010.020.040.040.010.010.040.010.040.010.020.070.050.020.030.03−0.030.030.090.080.060.18−0.110.13−0.010.39LessMore

St. Mirren

0.020.030.010.020.010.020.010.030.040.030.010.040.030.010.010.04−0.02−0.14−0.030.060.050.060.05LessMore

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 1.32AttackMotherwell1.31 → 1.33St. Mirren1.19 → 1.15Defence (lower is better)Motherwell1.22 → 1.18St. Mirren1.33 → 1.36

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 six97%99%+2
St. Mirren
Top six12%8%−4
11th4%5%+1
Bottom1%1%0

From the forecast before the match (3 January 2026): 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. Mirren
Expected goals1.550.98
Win50%23%
Expected Points1.760.97
Clean sheet38%21%

Motherwell 50%Draw 27%St. Mirren 23%

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

St. Mirren goalsMotherwell goals0123456+0123456+9%7%4%1%6%2%5%2%5%5%2%2%2%12%13%10%9%

From the forecast as it stood on 3 January 2026: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

League probabilities by result

ChanceNowMotherwell winDrawSt. Mirren win
Motherwell
Top six97%99%97%94%
St. Mirren
Top six12%8%11%22%
11th4%5%3%2%
Bottom1%1%<1%<1%

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. W2–030 DecCeltic (H)xG 1.40–0.59
  2. L0–127 DecRangers (A)xG 1.07–4.14
  3. W1–020 DecDundee FC (H)xG 1.23–0.23
  4. D0–013 DecDundee United (A)xG 0.68–0.49
  5. W3–06 DecLivingston (H)xG 2.41–0.67
  6. D0–03 DecFalkirk (A)xG 0.47–0.57

St. Mirren

  1. L1–230 DecRangers (A)xG 1.71–1.89
  2. D0–027 DecKilmarnock (H)xG 1.36–0.75
  3. W1–020 DecLivingston (H)xG 2.23–0.24
  4. W2–06 DecDundee United (H)xG 1.24–1.01
  5. D3–33 DecAberdeen (A)xG 1.83–2.08
  6. L1–329 NovDundee FC (A)xG 1.39–0.68

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

Season to date

MotherwellSt. Mirren
Position4th10th
Played2018
Won, drawn, lost8–⁠9–⁠34–⁠6–⁠8
Points33 (1.65 per game)18 (1.00 per game)
Expected Points per game1.551.28
Goals28–⁠1616–⁠24
xG per game1.44–⁠1.231.22–⁠1.35
Home: points, xG per game2.10, 1.58–⁠0.751.30, 1.17–⁠1.08
Away: points, xG per game1.20, 1.30–⁠1.710.62, 1.29–⁠1.69
ManagerJens Berthel Askou (20)Stephen Robinson (89)

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 1.32AttackMotherwell1.31, 5thSt. Mirren1.19, 7thDefence (lower is better)Motherwell1.22, 5thSt. Mirren1.33, 6th

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecMotherwell attack: 1.31St. Mirren attack: 1.191.311.19St. MirrenMotherwellDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecMotherwell defence: 1.22St. Mirren defence: 1.331.331.22

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. Mirren
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play+15%−6%−24%−7%
Counter-attacks−24%−3%−45%+81%
Set pieces−42%−19%+35%−10%
Penalties+85%−38%−32%−66%
Headers−18%−31%+27%+13%
Left side−4%−16%−24%+2%
Centre−29%−1%−5%+12%
Right side+45%−18%−12%−15%

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. Mirren concededLeft side−4%−15%Centre−29%+12%Right side+45%+2%Open play+15%−7%Counter-attacks−24%+81%Set pieces−42%−10%Headers−18%+13%

St. Mirren attacking

St. Mirren createdMotherwell concededLeft side−24%−18%Centre−5%−1%Right side−12%−16%Open play−24%−6%Counter-attacks−45%−3%Set pieces+35%−19%Headers+27%−31%

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. Mirren

1.44xG1.22
1.23xG against1.35
59%Possession45%
12.2Shots12.6
11.1Shots against12.8
4.2Shots on target3.7
2.3Big chances1.8
23.3Touches in the opposition box25.4
557Passes343
85%Pass accuracy73%
3.3Corners6.1
60%Field tilt48%
48.0Final-third entries38.3
14.1Box entries11.5
13.2Passes per defensive action17.2

Per league match this season before kick-off.

Game state this season

Motherwell

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level561.061.17
Ahead251.871.43
Behind92.651.08

St. Mirren

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level601.241.29
Ahead160.891.62
Behind141.481.33

xG by period

Motherwell

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.070.091–1
16–300.210.207–3
31–450.220.194–0
46–600.330.175–3
61–750.290.284–5
76–900.320.317–4

St. Mirren

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.200.150–0
16–300.200.174–3
31–450.150.272–5
46–600.170.162–2
61–750.190.324–4
76–900.310.294–10

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

Most used players by position

Motherwell

GKRBCBCBLBDMDMRWAMLWSTWard 20Koutroumbis 10O'Donnell 7Sparrow 2McGinn 16Gordon 8O'Donnell 2Welsh 13Longelo 15Koutroumbis 4Charles-Cook 1Fadinger 18Just 3Priestman 3Watt 15Maswanhise 13Said 2Sparrow 1Just 7Slattery 5Watt 3Slattery 5Said 5Charles-Cook 5Stamatelopoulos 9Hendry 7Maswanhise 34-2-3-1 in 13 of 20 starts

Formations: 4-2-3-1 (13), 4-4-2 (2), 4-3-3 (2), 4-4-1-1 (1), 4-3-2-1 (1), 3-1-4-2 (1)

St. Mirren

GKCBCBCBRWBCMCMCMLWBSTSTGeorge 18Fraser 16Gogic 12King 9Freckleton 17Richards… 13RichardsonMcMena… 5McMenaminPhillips 18Baccus 11Gogic 4Taylor 3O'Hara 8Idowu 4McMena… 2McMenaminJohn 17Tanser 1Ayunga 11Nlundulu 7Idowu 3Mandron 153-5-2 in 14 of 18 starts

Formations: 3-5-2 (14), 5-3-2 (3), 3-1-4-2 (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
9 August 2025St. Mirren0–0MotherwellxG 1.31–0.53
15 March 2025Motherwell2–2St. MirrenxG 0.67–1.24
7 December 2024St. Mirren0–1MotherwellxG 0.55–1.74
28 September 2024Motherwell2–1St. MirrenxG 2.07–2.33
30 March 2024Motherwell1–1St. MirrenxG 1.84–1.32
16 December 2023St. Mirren0–0MotherwellxG 1.25–1.00

17 league meetings since 2020/21: Motherwell won 6, St. Mirren won 3, and 8 were drawn. Goals 18–14 and xG 1.29–1.22 per game.

Key players

Motherwell

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Stamatelopoulos9848620.910.06
Just141,239330.230.18
Slattery111,016220.180.22
Maswanhise171,356810.300.09

St. Mirren

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
McMenamin7719110.260.34
Nlundulu8774200.310.07
Ayunga11953200.340.03
Mandron151,273420.240.10

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