Cardiff City FC vs Bolton Wanderers FC, League One 2025-26 REGULAR SEASON
Overview
Match Preview
Cardiff City FC vs Bolton Wanderers FC — League One at Cardiff City Stadium.
- Cardiff City FC 46 games · 91 pts (2026/27)
- Bolton Wanderers FC 46 games · 75 pts (2026/27)
Match Details
- Referee Elliot Bell (England)
- Assistant 1 David Harrison (England)
- Assistant 2 Rob Hyde (England)
3 games this season
🟨 5.3/game
⚽ 17.3 goals/game
Standings
| # | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huddersfield Town AFC | 14 | 29 |
| 2 | Stockport County FC | 15 | 29 |
| 3 | Oxford United FC | 13 | 26 |
| 4 | Luton Town FC | 14 | 24 |
| 5 | Sheffield Wednesday FC | 14 | 23 |
| 6 | Plymouth Argyle FC | 15 | 23 |
| 7 | Reading FC | 15 | 22 |
| 8 | Bradford City AFC | 13 | 22 |
| 9 | Milton Keynes Dons FC | 14 | 21 |
| 10 | Cambridge United FC | 14 | 21 |
| 11 | Leicester City FC | 13 | 19 |
| 12 | Mansfield Town FC | 13 | 19 |
| 13 | Wycombe Wanderers FC | 13 | 18 |
| 14 | Leyton Orient FC | 13 | 17 |
| 15 | Burton Albion FC | 15 | 17 |
| 16 | Stevenage FC | 12 | 16 |
| 17 | AFC Wimbledon | 14 | 16 |
| 18 | Notts County FC | 12 | 14 |
| 19 | Wigan Athletic FC | 15 | 14 |
| 20 | Blackpool FC | 13 | 12 |
| 21 | Doncaster Rovers FC | 13 | 12 |
| 22 | Peterborough United FC | 13 | 10 |
| 23 | Barnsley FC | 13 | 9 |
| 24 | Bromley FC | 13 | 9 |
Head-to-Head
Recent Form
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Apr | Bolton Wanderers FC | H | 2–0 | W |
| 06 Apr | Peterborough United FC | A | 1–1 | D |
| 21 Mar | Blackpool FC | H | 0–0 | D |
| 17 Mar | Wycombe Wanderers FC | H | 0–2 | L |
| 14 Mar | Exeter City FC | A | 4–0 | W |
| 10 Mar | Barnsley FC | A | 1–1 | D |
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Apr | Cardiff City FC | A | 0–2 | L |
| 06 Apr | Stockport County FC | H | 2–2 | D |
| 03 Apr | Plymouth Argyle FC | A | 2–1 | W |
| 21 Mar | Port Vale FC | A | 0–1 | L |
| 17 Mar | Doncaster Rovers FC | H | 0–0 | D |
| 14 Mar | Rotherham United FC | A | 2–2 | D |
Key Stats
0%
Both Teams to Score
H2H (3 games)
H2H (3 games)
0%
Over 2.5 Goals
H2H history
H2H history
Events
Match Events
- 0' We are underway at Cardiff City Stadium. The crowd does wile while the referee lows the starting whistle.
- 5' Bolton Wanderers FC has dominated the recent head-to-head record, winning 1 of the last 1 meetings.
- 10' A tactical chess match is unfolding here. The question is which manager blinks first.
- 15' It is a cagey affair so far. Cardiff City FC in their 4-2-3-1 trying to find a way past Bolton Wanderers FC's compact 4-2-3-1.
- 20' Matchday of the Array and both teams know exactly what is at stake tonight.
- 25' Cardiff City FC are enjoying more possession but struggling to find a way through a disciplined Bolton Wanderers FC backline.
- 30' named a 4-2-3-1 earlier, and opted for a 4-2-3-1 in response. A fascinating tactical duel is developing.
- 35' It looks surprising Cardiff City FC does not make any changes. Perry Ng has some obvious troubles when approaching to the goal.
- 40' Cardiff City FC is defending very well tonight not leaving a chance for their rivals to get through for a goal.
- 45' The tempo has dropped considerably in the last few minutes. Steven Schumacher will be considering his options from the bench.
- 50' Against the run of play, Omari Kellyman has scored! This game has turned on its head.
- 52' What a moment for Chris Willock! That strike on 52 puts his side firmly in control.
- 57' The 26-year-old Sam Dalby has been sensational this season — 4 goals and 0 assists is a remarkable return.
- 60' Thierry Gale makes way for Robert Apter at the 60 minute mark. A tactical switch from Bolton Wanderers FC.
- 65' Spectators are craving for more action. Both teams play very cautiously. They need to put some more energy.
- 70' It’s gonna be a card for Joel Bagan.
- 75' Cardiff City FC currently sit 2 in the Array table. A result here could be decisive in the race for the top positions.
- 77' The crowd applauds Chris Willock as he leaves the pitch. Calum Scanlon steps in for Cardiff City FC.
- 78' The Cardiff City FC manager makes a substitution. Rubin Colwill departs to be replaced by Joel Colwill.
- 83' The Bolton Wanderers FC bench stirs into life. Mason Burstow is withdrawn and Toby Ritchie gets his opportunity.
- 88' It is a substitution in Cardiff City FC team. Omari Kellyman is replaced by Yousef Salech on 88 minute.
- With this win, Cardiff City FC is likely to improve its situation in the overall team standings.
Lineups
Cardiff City FC Lineups
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 38
- 6
- 13
-
16
Chris Willock ↓ Calum Scanlon 77'
- 3
-
10
Rubin Colwill ↓ Joel Colwill 78'
-
18
Alex Robertson ↓ David Turnbull 77'
- 11
-
8
Omari Kellyman ↓ Yousef Salech 88'
- 2
- 48
Bench
- 47
-
14
David Turnbull ↑ 77'
-
22
Yousef Salech ↑ 88'
-
27
Joel Colwill ↑ 78'
- 41
-
23
Calum Scanlon ↑ 77'
- 44
Coach
Brian Barry-Murphy
Bolton Wanderers FC Lineups
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 8
- 29
- 1
-
22
Kyle Dempsey ↓ Ruben Rodrigues 60'
- 18
- 14
- 6
-
11
Thierry Gale ↓ Robert Apter 60'
- 25
-
48
Mason Burstow ↓ Toby Ritchie 83'
- 10
Bench
- 23
-
27
Ruben Rodrigues ↑ 60'
-
15
Robert Apter ↑ 60'
- 3
-
19
Amario Cozier-Duberry ↑ 60'
- 36
-
54
Toby Ritchie ↑ 83'
Coach
Steven Schumacher
H2H
H2H Top Scorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Chris Willock | 1 |
| Omari Kellyman | 1 |
| Thierry Gale | 1 |
Head to Head
Cardiff City FC Form
2026-04-11
Cardiff City FC
2–0
Bolton Wanderers FC
W
2026-04-06
Peterborough United FC
1–1
Cardiff City FC
D
2026-03-21
Cardiff City FC
0–0
Blackpool FC
D
2026-03-17
Cardiff City FC
0–2
Wycombe Wanderers FC
L
2026-03-14
Exeter City FC
0–4
Cardiff City FC
W
2026-03-10
Barnsley FC
1–1
Cardiff City FC
D
Bolton Wanderers FC Form
2026-04-11
Cardiff City FC
2–0
Bolton Wanderers FC
L
2026-04-06
Bolton Wanderers FC
2–2
Stockport County FC
D
2026-04-03
Plymouth Argyle FC
1–2
Bolton Wanderers FC
W
2026-03-21
Port Vale FC
1–0
Bolton Wanderers FC
L
2026-03-17
Bolton Wanderers FC
0–0
Doncaster Rovers FC
D
2026-03-14
Rotherham United FC
2–2
Bolton Wanderers FC
D
Predictions
Prediction accuracy
4 / 4
1.23
Cardiff City FC xG
Expected Goals
Dixon-Coles · Bivariate Poisson · Neg. Binomial · Elo
0.85
Bolton Wanderers FC xG
I would bet for:
Under 2.5 goals 66% + Under — clean sheet likely 58%
Match Result
✓ CorrectActual: Cardiff City FC win
Both Teams to Score
✓ Correct
Avg goals/match: 2.08
Actual: No — clean sheet
Over / Under Goals
✓ O/U 2.5| Line | Over | Under | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ± 0.5 | 85% |
|
15% |
| ± 1.5 | 62% |
|
38% |
| ± 2.5 | 34% |
|
66% |
| ± 3.5 | 16% |
|
84% |
| ± 4.5 | 7% |
|
93% |
Double Chance
Cardiff City FC or Draw
76%
Draw or Bolton Wanderers FC
54%
Cardiff City FC or Bolton Wanderers FC
70%
Half-Time Result
✓ CorrectActual: Draw at HT
Correct Score
✓ In top 12
0 – 0
14.9%
1 – 0
14.1%
1 – 1
14%
0 – 1
9.4%
2 – 0
Actual
2 – 1
7.8%
1 – 2
5.4%
0 – 2
4.3%
3 – 0
3.6%
2 – 2
3.4%
3 – 1
3.3%
1 – 3
1.5%
Asian Handicap — Cardiff City FC
| Handicap | Cardiff City FC covers | Push | Bolton Wanderers FC covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| -2.5 | 7% | — | 93% |
| -2 | 7% | 13% | 80% |
| -1.5 | 20% | — | 80% |
| -1 | 20% | 24% | 57% |
| -0.5 | 43% | — | 57% |
| +0.5 | 76% | — | 24% |
| +1 | 76% | 16% | 8% |
| +1.5 | 92% | — | 8% |
| +2 | 92% | 6% | 2% |
| +2.5 | 98% | — | 2% |
Clean Sheet
Cardiff City FC keeps clean sheet
43%
✗
Bolton Wanderers FC keeps clean sheet
30%
✓
Predictions are statistical estimates based on season form, H2H history, and a Poisson model. Not financial advice.