Digressive Celts

Matches › 2025/26

Falkirk 1–0 Motherwell

Saturday 2 May 2026, 15:00 · Falkirk Stadium · Round 35 · Half-time 0–0 · Referee Dan McFarlane · Attendance 7,566

Falkirk Cartwright 63'

Post-match

Result and Expected Points

FalkirkMotherwell
Goals10
xG2.421.33
Expected Points2.100.69

Falkirk 63%Draw 21%Motherwell 16%

Most likely score 2–1, 11%. Final score 1–0, 5%.

Motherwell goalsFalkirk goals0123456+0123456+1%2%1%5%8%5%2%7%3%6%6%3%3%5%3%1%1%2%1%11%8%9%Final score

Own goals have no xG.

xG race

01230153045607590HTCartwright on for Tait, 62'Wilson on for Broggio, 75'Parkinson on for Miller, 76'Donaldson on for McCann, 84'Adams on for Lissah, 85'Said on for Sparrow, 62'Charles-Cook on for Slattery and Hendry on for Maswanhise, 76'Nicholson on for Fadinger, 77'Cartwright 63'Falkirk 2.42Motherwell 1.3301230153045607590HTCartwright on for Tait, 62'Wilson on for Broggio, 75'Parkinson on for Miller, 76'Donaldson on for McCann, 84'Adams on for Lissah, 85'Said on for Sparrow, 62'Charles-Cook on for Slattery and Hendry on for Maswanhise, 76'Nicholson on for Fadinger, 77'Cartwright 63'2.421.33FalkirkMotherwell

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

FalkirkMotherwell

2.42 +1.09xG1.33 −0.19
1.69 +0.40xG on target0.56 −1.02
18 +6Shots15 +2
5 +1.1Shots on target4 −1.0
6 +3.9Big chances1 −1.4
28 +8Touches in the opposition box36 +10
49% −2Possession51% −8
426 +25Passes437 −108
82% +5Pass accuracy80% −5
2 −2.8Corners5 +1.1
20 +1Tackles15 0
14 +4.8Interceptions7 −0.3
33 +4Clearances17 −6
3 −0.1Saves4 +1.2
12 0Fouls13 +1
0 −2.1Offsides4 +1.8

The small figure beside each value is its difference from the side's average per league match this season before this one.

Chance locations

Falkirk

Stewart 45', 0.64 xGStewart 52', 0.30 xGStewart 27', 0.21 xGMiller 43', 0.13 xGMiller 66', 0.13 xGYeats 61', 0.11 xGStewart 26', 0.09 xGStewart 43', 0.08 xGStewart 88', 0.06 xGBroggio 37', 0.05 xGTait 25', 0.04 xGLissah 31', 0.04 xGLissah 61', 0.04 xGStewart 12', 0.03 xGWilson 81', 0.03 xGLissah 82', 0.02 xGMiller 1', 0.01 xGCartwright 63', 0.41 xG, goal26%0.64 xGSix-yard box: 1 shot, 0.64 xG, 0 goals57%1.39 xGCentral box: 8 shots, 1.39 xG, 1 goal10%0.24 xGWide in the box: 5 shots, 0.24 xG, 0 goals6%0.15 xGEdge of the box: 4 shots, 0.15 xG, 0 goals0%0.00 xGFurther out: 0 shots, 0.00 xG, 0 goals

Motherwell

McGinn 90+4', 0.28 xGLongelo 54', 0.22 xGSparrow 15', 0.15 xGMaswanhise 49', 0.11 xGO'Donnell 86', 0.11 xGJust 22', 0.07 xGLongelo 33', 0.07 xGHendry 85', 0.07 xGJust 14', 0.06 xGMaswanhise 54', 0.06 xGSlattery 20', 0.05 xGWatt 33', 0.03 xGWelsh 90+4', 0.03 xGO'Donnell 32', 0.02 xGO'Donnell 17', 0.01 xG23%0.30 xGSix-yard box: 2 shots, 0.30 xG, 0 goals55%0.72 xGCentral box: 6 shots, 0.72 xG, 0 goals12%0.16 xGWide in the box: 3 shots, 0.16 xG, 0 goals10%0.13 xGEdge of the box: 3 shots, 0.13 xG, 0 goals1%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

FalkirkMotherwell

1.53 12 shots, 0 goalsOpen play0.67 9 shots, 0 goals
0.81 4 shots, 1 goalCounter-attacks0.00 0 shots, 0 goals
0.08 2 shots, 0 goalsSet pieces0.65 6 shots, 0 goals

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

Game state

Level
63 min (67%) · Falkirk 2.18, Motherwell 0.84 xG
Falkirk ahead
31 min (33%) · Falkirk 0.25, Motherwell 0.48 xG

Line-ups

1281520382111142916HogarthLissahNeilsonAllanMcCannSpencerTaitBroggioYeatsMillerStewartYellow cardYellow cardYellow cardYellow card85'84'62'75'76'Falkirk 4-2-3-1John McGlynn1371657212201884521WardSparrowMcGinnWelshO'DonnellFadingerWattMaswanhiseSlatteryLongeloJustYellow cardYellow cardYellow cardYellow card62'77'76'76'Motherwell 4-2-3-1Jens Berthel Askou

Falkirk substitutes

  • 62' Cartwright for Tait · goal 63'
  • 75' Wilson for Broggio
  • 76' Parkinson for Miller
  • 84' Donaldson for McCann
  • 85' Adams for Lissah

Motherwell substitutes

  • 62' Said for Sparrow
  • 76' Hendry for Maswanhise · yellow card 90+1'
  • 76' Charles-Cook for Slattery
  • 77' Nicholson for Fadinger

Players

Falkirk

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPDef
HogarthGK900.000.0002
LissahRB850.100.0008
NeilsonCB900.000.00012
AllanCB900.000.00010
McCannLB840.000.1723
Spencer DM900.000.09110
Tait DM620.040.1100
Broggio RW7510.050.4763
Yeats AM900.110.0116
MillerLW760.280.0712
StewartST901.400.0303
CartwrightMF2810.410.0016
WilsonFW150.030.0002
ParkinsonFW140.000.0310
DonaldsonDF60.000.0002
AdamsDF50.000.0002

Motherwell

PlayerPosMinGAxGxAKPDef
WardGK900.000.0000
Sparrow RB620.150.2015
McGinnCB900.280.0104
WelshCB900.030.0419
O'DonnellLB900.140.2211
FadingerDM770.000.0202
WattDM900.030.0929
MaswanhiseRW760.180.0210
Slattery AM760.050.0912
Longelo LW900.280.2452
Just ST900.130.1013
SaidFW280.000.0101
Hendry FW140.070.0001
Charles-CookFW140.000.0102
NicholsonDF130.000.0101

Starters, then substitutes in the order they came on. KP is chances created and Def defensive actions (tackles, blocks, clearances, and interceptions).

Ratings

0.51.01.52.0League average 1.35AttackFalkirk1.29 → 1.32Motherwell1.40 → 1.36Defence (lower is better)Falkirk1.31 → 1.28Motherwell1.21 → 1.24

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.

Pre-match

As things stood before kick-off.

Forecast

FalkirkMotherwell
Expected goals1.371.21
Win40%32%
Expected Points1.481.25
Clean sheet30%25%

Falkirk 40%Draw 28%Motherwell 32%

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

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

From the forecast as it stood on 2 May 2026: each side's attack and defence ratings in a Dixon–Coles score model, as on the Forecasts page.

Form

Falkirk

  1. L1–325 AprCeltic (A)xG 0.92–1.11
  2. L3–612 AprRangers (H)xG 1.70–3.94
  3. W3–24 AprMotherwell (A)xG 2.06–1.46
  4. L1–221 MarSt. Mirren (H)xG 1.43–0.90
  5. D1–114 MarAberdeen (A)xG 0.76–1.54
  6. W5–128 FebKilmarnock (H)xG 3.14–0.39

Motherwell

  1. W3–226 AprRangers (A)xG 0.76–2.70
  2. L1–311 AprHearts (A)xG 2.21–1.74
  3. L2–34 AprFalkirk (H)xG 1.46–2.06
  4. D0–021 MarHibernian (H)xG 0.44–0.60
  5. L1–314 MarCeltic (A)xG 0.64–2.12
  6. L1–27 MarDundee FC (A)xG 1.85–1.47

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

Season to date

FalkirkMotherwell
Position6th4th
Played3434
Won, drawn, lost13–⁠7–⁠1415–⁠12–⁠7
Points46 (1.35 per game)57 (1.68 per game)
Expected Points per game1.411.61
Goals46–⁠5155–⁠31
xG per game1.33–⁠1.311.52–⁠1.21
Home: points, xG per game1.35, 1.59–⁠1.202.06, 1.67–⁠0.80
Away: points, xG per game1.35, 1.07–⁠1.421.29, 1.37–⁠1.63
ManagerJohn McGlynn (34)Jens Berthel Askou (34)

League matches this season before kick-off. The manager's number is league matches in charge since 2020/21.

Ratings

0.51.01.52.0League average 1.35AttackFalkirk1.29, 6thMotherwell1.40, 5thDefence (lower is better)Falkirk1.31, 6thMotherwell1.21, 5th

This season

Attack0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayFalkirk attack: 1.29Motherwell attack: 1.401.401.29MotherwellFalkirkDefence (lower is better)0.51.01.52.0SepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayFalkirk defence: 1.31Motherwell defence: 1.211.311.21

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

FalkirkMotherwell
CreatedConcededCreatedConceded
Open play+3%−10%+25%−10%
Counter-attacks+1%+3%−13%−23%
Set pieces−18%−9%−40%−27%
Penalties−41%−1%+58%−1%
Headers−25%+1%−26%−20%
Left side−48%−11%+28%−20%
Centre−1%−9%−28%−10%
Right side+36%−6%+45%−25%

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 createdMotherwell concededLeft side−48%−25%Centre−1%−10%Right side+36%−20%Open play+3%−10%Counter-attacks+1%−23%Set pieces−18%−27%Headers−25%−20%

Motherwell attacking

Motherwell createdFalkirk concededLeft side+28%−6%Centre−28%−9%Right side+45%−11%Open play+25%−10%Counter-attacks−13%+3%Set pieces−40%−9%Headers−26%+1%

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

FalkirkMotherwell

1.33xG1.52
1.31xG against1.21
51%Possession59%
12.1Shots13.3
12.4Shots against10.7
3.9Shots on target5.0
2.1Big chances2.4
20.2Touches in the opposition box25.7
401Passes545
77%Pass accuracy85%
4.8Corners3.9
48%Field tilt63%
36.6Final-third entries50.3
10.6Box entries16.0
12.6Passes per defensive action13.0

Per league match this season before kick-off. Field tilt, entries, and passes per defensive action cover 33 and 33 of those matches.

Game state this season

Falkirk

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level421.281.37
Ahead231.581.03
Behind251.171.46

Motherwell

StateMinutes per gamexG per 90xG against per 90
Level491.241.17
Ahead291.791.22
Behind122.021.38

xG by period

Falkirk

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.190.147–1
16–300.260.258–9
31–450.240.295–16
46–600.210.1910–8
61–750.240.2010–8
76–900.180.256–9

Motherwell

MinutesxG per gamexG againstGoals
1–150.120.103–3
16–300.250.1713–3
31–450.260.199–3
46–600.320.1512–4
61–750.260.325–10
76–900.320.2913–8

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

Most used players by position

Falkirk

GKRBCBCBLBDMDMRWAMLWSTBain 33Hogarth 1Adams 22Lissah 10Yeats 1Allan 17Neilson 10Donaldson 5Henderson 31McCann 22Lissah 9Hart 2Spencer 32Stewart 1Tait 24Cartwright 9Yeats 2Wilson 16Broggio 6Miller 5Miller 10Yeats 7Tait 5Miller 17Williams 6Ross 4Stewart 14MacIver 9Graham 74-2-3-1 in 33 of 34 starts

Formations: 4-2-3-1 (33), 4-4-1-1 (1)

Motherwell

GKRBCBCBLBDMDMRWAMLWSTWard 34O'Donnell 14Koutroumbis 10Sparrow 8McGinn 30Gordon 8O'Donnell 6Welsh 23Longelo 25Koutroumbis 5O'Donnell 2Fadinger 29Priestman 9Just 3Watt 24Slattery 2Maswanhise 14Said 11Just 3Just 14Slattery 9Watt 5Slattery 10Said 8Just 6Maswanhise 15Stamatelopoulos 9Hendry 74-2-3-1 in 22 of 34 starts

Formations: 4-2-3-1 (22), 4-3-3 (5), 4-1-3-2 (2), 4-4-2 (2), 4-4-1-1 (1), 4-3-2-1 (1), 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
4 April 2026Motherwell2–3FalkirkxG 1.46–2.06
3 December 2025Falkirk0–0MotherwellxG 0.57–0.47
18 October 2025Motherwell1–2FalkirkxG 1.01–1.35

3 league meetings since 2020/21: Falkirk won 2, Motherwell won 0, and 1 was a draw. Goals 5–3 and xG 1.33–0.98 per game.

Key players

Falkirk

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Stewart151,239820.470.08
MacIver9661310.410.12
Graham7776400.460.07
Miller322,590690.270.24

Motherwell

PlayerStartsMinGAxG per 90xA per 90
Stamatelopoulos9868620.890.08
Maswanhise312,5381720.480.08
Just282,365770.230.24
Slattery222,015380.170.23

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