| Match Details | Information |
| Competition | League One – (England) |
| Round | 30 |
| Date & Time | 2026-01-31, 16:00 – (Include timezone BST/GMT). |
| Stadium | Pirelli Stadium |
Prediction – Burton Albion 2 – 0 Cardiff City
Recent Form
Burton Albion enters the upcoming League One match with significant momentum, having secured victories in their last five matches. They have demonstrated a strong offensive capability, scoring a total of 12 goals while conceding only 3. Notably, their away performances against Bolton Wanderers and Lincoln City resulted in identical 2-1 victories, showcasing their resilience. At home, Burton Albion’s commanding 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town and a solid 3-0 victory at Plymouth Argyle further underline their attacking prowess and defensive stability. A 2-0 triumph over Reading solidifies their current form, indicating a team in excellent shape. In contrast, Cardiff City’s recent form has been mixed. They have achieved two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five league outings. A dominant 4-0 victory against Barnsley highlights their potential to perform well, especially at home. However, their 1-1 draws against Stockport County and Leyton Orient suggest inconsistency, particularly in maintaining leads. A 1-0 win against Wigan Athletic demonstrates their ability to secure narrow victories, yet their 2-1 loss at Bradford City reveals vulnerabilities on the road. The recent head-to-head encounter favors Burton Albion, who defeated Cardiff City 1-0 away from home earlier in the season. This result, combined with their current winning streak, positions them as the team with stronger momentum heading into the match at Pirelli Stadium. Cardiff City will need to address their inconsistencies to challenge Burton Albion’s impressive form.
Burton Albion Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Bolton Wanderers Vs Burton Albion | 1-2 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 1 | 5 – 4 | 11 – 7 | 57% – 43% | 0 – 0 |
| Lincoln City Vs Burton Albion | 1-2 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 0 | 2 – 5 | 9 – 18 | 45% – 55% | 1 – 1 |
| Burton Albion Vs Huddersfield Town | 3-1 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 4 | 3 – 8 | 13 – 13 | 33% – 67% | 3 – 1 |
| Plymouth Argyle Vs Burton Albion | 0-3 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 9 – 4 | 6 – 7 | 66% – 34% | 2 – 0 |
| Reading Vs Burton Albion | 0-2 | 0 – 0 | 0 – 0 | 5 – 3 | 10 – 12 | 52% – 48% | 2 – 0 |
Burton Albion has demonstrated impressive form in their recent League One matches, securing victories in each of their last five encounters. This winning streak highlights their resilience and capacity to perform under pressure, despite occasionally yielding possession to their opponents. Their recent results include notable wins against Bolton Wanderers and Lincoln City, each with a 2-1 scoreline, showcasing their ability to secure crucial points away from home. Analyzing the match statistics, Burton Albion has often played with less possession, particularly evident in their 3-1 victory over Huddersfield Town, where they managed only 33% possession. Despite this, they have capitalized on their chances efficiently, with consistent goal-scoring contributions from their attacking lineup. This indicates a tactical approach that prioritizes counter-attacking football and making the most of set pieces and transitional play. The team’s discipline has been commendable, with minimal yellow cards across these matches and no red cards, reflecting a controlled and strategic style of play. This discipline will be crucial as they aim to maintain their strong defensive record. However, the absence of William Kokolo due to an unknown injury could pose challenges, potentially impacting their defensive depth and versatility. The predicted lineup for their upcoming match shows continuity in key positions, with Brad Collins anchoring the goal, and a strong defensive trio of U. Godwin-Malife, T. Vancooten, and Toby Sibbick. The midfield, featuring K. Chauke and D. Williams, is likely to focus on disrupting the opposition’s flow and facilitating quick transitions to forwards Jake Beesley and Kain Adom. This combination of solid defense, disciplined play, and effective counter-attacks positions Burton Albion as a formidable opponent in their upcoming fixture at the Pirelli Stadium.
Cardiff City Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Cardiff City Vs Barnsley | 4-0 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 2 | 6 – 3 | 10 – 7 | 65% – 35% | 3 – 0 |
| Cardiff City Vs Stockport County | 1-1 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 2 | 9 – 1 | 17 – 11 | 61% – 39% | 1 – 0 |
| Bradford City Vs Cardiff City | 2-1 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 2 | 2 – 2 | 9 – 10 | 53% – 47% | 1 – 2 |
| Leyton Orient Vs Cardiff City | 1-1 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 1 | 4 – 3 | 11 – 12 | 39% – 61% | 0 – 0 |
| Cardiff City Vs Wigan Athletic | 1-0 | 0 – 0 | 0 – 0 | 18 – 1 | 4 – 7 | 82% – 18% | 1 – 0 |
Cardiff City has demonstrated a mixed run of form in their last five League One matches, showing both dominance and vulnerability. Their most commanding performance came against Barnsley, where they secured a resounding 4-0 victory. The team showcased their attacking prowess with a notable 65% possession and three assists, highlighting their capability to control the game and effectively penetrate the opposition’s defense. This match exemplified Cardiff’s potential when they effectively leverage their possession and convert it into tangible results. However, Cardiff City has also experienced challenges, as evidenced by their 2-1 loss to Bradford City. Despite a fairly balanced possession rate of 47%, they struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, suggesting issues with finishing and perhaps a lack of cutting edge in the final third. Similarly, their 1-1 draws against Stockport County and Leyton Orient indicate a recurring theme of failing to secure all three points, despite maintaining significant possession, particularly against Leyton Orient where they held 61%. The injury to Rubin Colwill could impact Cardiff’s attacking options, potentially limiting their creativity and depth in midfield. Nevertheless, their predicted lineup, featuring players like Chris Willock and Alex Robertson, suggests an emphasis on maintaining midfield control and providing service to Omari Kellyman in attack. With Nathan Trott in goal and a solid defensive lineup including Calum Chambers and Perry Ng, Cardiff has the foundation to build a reliable defense, although they must translate possession into goals more effectively. Overall, Cardiff City may approach their upcoming match with a focus on converting possession into scoring opportunities, leveraging their midfield strength to dominate the game. Their recent performances suggest a need to be more clinical in front of goal, and the absence of Colwill might necessitate tactical adjustments to ensure they maintain their offensive threat. The team’s resilience and ability to adapt will be crucial in determining their success in the upcoming fixture.
Team News & Injuries
Burton Albion Injuries & Suspensions
- William Kokolo (Unknown Injury)
Cardiff City Injuries & Suspensions
- Rubin Colwill (Torn Ankle Ligaments)
Head-to-Head (H2H) Record & Summary
H2H Last 5
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Cardiff City Vs Burton Albion (30 Sep 2025) | 0-1 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 8 – 3 | 12 – 12 | 77% – 23% | 0 – 0 |
H2H Detailed Analysis
In the recent head-to-head clash between Burton Albion and Cardiff City on September 30, 2025, Burton Albion secured a narrow 1-0 victory despite being significantly out-possessed, holding only 23% of the ball compared to Cardiff City’s dominant 77%. This match highlighted Burton’s ability to capitalize on limited opportunities and maintain defensive resilience against a possession-heavy opponent. The game saw a balanced number of free kicks (12 each), indicating a fairly even contest in terms of fouls, but the disparity in corners (8 for Cardiff to Burton’s 3) further underscores Cardiff’s attacking pressure, which Burton managed to withstand. Both teams received multiple yellow cards, suggesting a competitive and perhaps physically intense encounter, yet no red cards were issued, indicating discipline under pressure. Looking ahead to their next meeting at the Pirelli Stadium, the absences of William Kokolo for Burton and Rubin Colwill for Cardiff could influence the dynamics. Kokolo’s absence might affect Burton’s defensive depth, while Cardiff will miss Colwill’s creativity in midfield due to his torn ankle ligaments. Burton’s predicted lineup indicates a balanced approach with a focus on defensive solidity through players like Toby Sibbick and U. Godwin-Malife, while their attack will rely on the likes of Jake Beesley. Cardiff, on the other hand, seems to maintain a strong defensive line with Calum Chambers and Will Fish, aiming to convert their possession into tangible offensive threats. The key for Cardiff will be breaking down Burton’s defense, a task they struggled with in the previous encounter. Burton, meanwhile, will likely adopt a counter-attacking strategy, hoping to replicate their prior success by staying compact defensively and seizing any counter opportunities. The outcome of this match could hinge on Cardiff’s ability to convert possession into goals and Burton’s efficiency in capitalizing on their chances.
Predicted Lineups
- Formation: 3-4-1-2
- Players: Brad Collins (Goalkeeper), U. Godwin-Malife (Defender), T. Vancooten (Defender), Toby Sibbick (Defender), J. Armer (Midfielder),K. Chauke (Midfielder), K. Lofthouse (Midfielder),D. Williams (Midfielder), J. McKiernan (Attacker), Jake Beesley (Attacker), Kain Adom (Attacker)
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Players: Nathan Trott (Goalkeeper),Will Fish (Defender), Joel Bagan (Defender),Calum Chambers (Defender), Perry Ng (Defender), Ryan Wintle (Midfielder), Ollie Tanner (Midfielder), Chris Willock (Midfielder),Alex Robertson (Midfielder), Joel Colwill (Midfielder),Omari Kellyman (Attacker)