Bradford City vs Cardiff City: match statistics
Bradford City displays impressive home form with a 75% win rate and a +10 goal difference, yet Cardiff City, as the league leader, demonstrates better overall form (2.2 points per match in the last 5 games compared to Bradford's 1.8). Cardiff dominates possession (63% vs 48%) and remains unbeaten in their last five matches (3W-2D). A key factor is the solid defense of both squads – both teams share an identical 42% clean sheet record and concede an average of 0.83 goals per match. Bradford has the home advantage, but Cardiff possesses greater quality and stability as the leader, evident in their unbeaten streak. Considering the hosts' strength at home and the quality of the table toppers, a tight contest with a slight advantage for the visitors or a draw seems most likely.
Bradford City vs Cardiff City: form, goals and key statistics
Key match information
Bradford City played Cardiff City in EFL League One (England). The match was played on 17 January 2026. Final score: 1:2.
Current form
Bradford City: 3-0-2, 1.80 points/match. Cardiff City: 3-2-0, 2.20 points/match.
Goal statistics
Bradford City scores 1.42 and concedes 1.04 goals per match. Cardiff City scores 1.72 and concedes 1.00. League average: 2.53 goals.
BTTS / Over / Under
BTTS: Bradford City 63%, Cardiff City 52%. Over 2.5: Bradford City 58%, Cardiff City 52%. League level: BTTS 50%, Over 2.5 48%.
xG, shots and style
Cardiff City has higher xG: 1.72 vs 1.48. Bradford City: 13.1 shots per match, Cardiff City: 14.7.
Match halves
Bradford City: half-time lead 33%, second-half goals 0.71. Cardiff City: half-time lead 28%, second-half goals 1.20.
Goals by minute
Bradford City: 46-60 (8 goals). Cardiff City: 76-90+ (12 goals). This is historical distribution, not a predicted goal minute.
League context
League One: 2.53 goals per match, BTTS 50%, Over 2.5 48%.
Head-to-head
Before this fixture, 1 previous H2H matches were available: 1-0-0. Average goals 4.00, BTTS 100%.
Archived pre-match analysis
This analysis was prepared before kick-off. The conclusions use only information available before the match and do not include the final result or post-match statistics.
General match analysis
Bradford City displays impressive home form with a 75% win rate and a +10 goal difference, yet Cardiff City, as the league leader, demonstrates better overall form (2.2 points per match in the last 5 games compared to Bradford's 1.8). Cardiff dominates possession (63% vs 48%) and remains unbeaten in their last five matches (3W-2D). A key factor is the solid defense of both squads – both teams share an identical 42% clean sheet record and concede an average of 0.83 goals per match. Bradford has the home advantage, but Cardiff possesses greater quality and stability as the leader, evident in their unbeaten streak. Considering the hosts' strength at home and the quality of the table toppers, a tight contest with a slight advantage for the visitors or a draw seems most likely.
View the statistical overviewHalf-by-half
Match statistics
Pre-match profile— what do the season numbers say?
This is a team profile based on season data and form. Match-flow statistics are shown only after the fixture is played.
Team stats— who is more efficient?
Attack and defence comparison for both teams in the current season.
Shooting quality
| Bradford City | Cardiff City | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy (shots on target) | 31% | 35% |
| Chance quality (xG per shot) | 0.11 | 0.12 |
| Finishing (goals per shot on target) | 0.35 | 0.33 |
xG per shot around 0.08 usually means long-range attempts; 0.15+ usually means box chances. The style label comes from possession, shot volume and conversion.
* xG (expected goals) says how many goals a team should score from its chances. If actual goals are above xG, finishing is above average; if below xG, chances are being missed.
Team form— who is in better shape?
Last five matches and season record, overall and split by home and away matches.
Cardiff City is 22% better for: last-5 form.
1.8 pts / match - Bradford City · 2.2 pts / match - Cardiff City
Goals— how do both teams score and concede?
How many goals both teams score and concede, plus how often they keep a clean sheet or fail to score.
Cardiff City is 21% better for: goals scored per match.
1.42 goals / match - Bradford City · 1.72 goals / match - Cardiff City
Bradford City scores in 83% of matches (20 of 24 matches), while Cardiff City keeps a clean sheet in 40% (10 of 25 matches).
Cardiff City scores in 88% of matches (22 of 25 matches), while Bradford City keeps a clean sheet in 33% (8 of 24 matches).
How often they score at least...
How often they concede at least...
* Statistics include both teams' home and away matches in the current season.
Both teams scored (BTTS)— how often do both teams score?
How often both teams' matches have goals on both sides, compared with the league average.
Goal patterns
BTTS and goal count
Goal count (Over/Under)— how often do these matches cross the goal lines?
How often matches involving these teams clear goal thresholds, in the full match and in each half.
Full match - team comparison (Over)
Over / Under - Bradford City
Over / Under - Cardiff City
1st half
2nd half
Match halves— when do the teams score more often?
How teams split performance between first and second half: goals, points, clean sheets and half-time state.
Bradford City is 7% better for: first-half form (half-time points).
1.46 pts / match - Bradford City · 1.36 pts / match - Cardiff City
Before half-time (1st half)
After half-time (2nd half)
Bradford City - second-half results
Leads at half-time in 33% of matches and wins 54%. Also wins matches without a half-time lead.
Defence stays stable across the full match.
Cardiff City - second-half results
Leads at half-time in 28% of matches and wins 64%. Also wins matches without a half-time lead.
Concedes 0.1 more goals per match after half-time - defensive level drops in the second half.
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per match | 1.60 | 1.00 |
| Goals scored / match | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Goals conceded / match | 0.6 | 0.8 |
| Average goals in match | 1.2 | 1.4 |
| 1 goal | 80% | 100% |
| 2 goals | 40% | 40% |
| 3 goals | 0% | 0% |
| Clean sheet | 60% | 20% |
| No goal | 40% | 40% |
| Goal difference | 0 | -1 |
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per match | 1.40 | 1.80 |
| Goals scored / match | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Goals conceded / match | 0.4 | 0.2 |
| Average goals in match | 1.0 | 0.8 |
| 1 goal | 60% | 40% |
| 2 goals | 40% | 20% |
| 3 goals | 0% | 20% |
| Clean sheet | 60% | 80% |
| No goal | 40% | 60% |
| Goal difference | +1 | +2 |
* Colours in tables show event frequency: green is common, yellow is moderate, red is rare. It is frequency, not a team rating.
Goals by minute— when do goals arrive?
Match phases in which both teams most often score and concede.
Most dangerous in minutes 46-60 (8 goals). Concedes most in 16-30 (7). Late-goal balance (76-90): +1 - wins late phases.
Most dangerous in minutes 76-90 (12 goals). Concedes most in 46-60 (6). Late-goal balance (76-90): +8 - wins late phases.
* Buckets 31-45 and 76-90 include added-time goals.
Additional team indicators— what do xG, efficiency and form show?
A comparison of chance quality, results and trends based on completed matches from the current season.
Match profile
Bradford City
Cardiff City
* The estimated goal total and split, BTTS estimate, 0:0 risk and goal range are calculated from public season averages and frequencies for both teams. This is a statistical match profile, not a private model prediction or betting pick. The remaining indicators describe completed matches from the season.
League context— is this a high-scoring league?
How both teams compare with league-wide averages (League One).
Teams vs league
| Bradford City | Liga | Cardiff City | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average goals in match | • 2.46 | 2.53 | ▲ 2.72 |
| Both teams scored | ▲ 63% | 50% | ▲ 52% |
| Min. 3 goals (Over 2.5) | ▲ 58% | 48% | ▲ 52% |
| Clean sheets | ▲ 33% | 28% | ▲ 40% |
| Goal before half-time | • 67% | 68% | ▼ 64% |
| Goal after half-time | ▼ 75% | 81% | ▲ 84% |
^ green = above league average, ˇ red = below league average. This shows direction of the gap, not a team rating.
Lineups and player events
Verified starters, substitutes and recorded player events for this match.
Home team
Starting lineup
Away team
Starting lineup
Match timeline
Goals, cards and substitutions arranged in chronological order.
Referee and managers
Open their season profiles to compare match records, goals and disciplinary trends.
Referee context
See how often this referee shows cards, awards penalties and how their matches tend to finish.
Head-to-head
Previous meeting: Bradford City 1 - 0 - 0 Cardiff City. Average goals 4.00, both teams scored in 100% matches.
FAQ
What was the result of Bradford City vs Cardiff City?
The EFL League One match finished Bradford City 1:2 Cardiff City. Full match statistics, the half-by-half breakdown and head-to-head are on this page.
What do the goal statistics show before Bradford City vs Cardiff City?
Bradford City score 1.42 goals per game on average and Cardiff City 1.72. The EFL League One average is 2.53 goals, with Over 2.5 landing in 48% of games. Both teams score in 63% of Bradford City's matches and 52% of Cardiff City's.
What form are Bradford City and Cardiff City in?
Over the last 5 games Bradford City have a 3-0-2 record (1.80 points per game) and Cardiff City 3-2-0 (2.20 points per game).
Where can I find a betting tip and analysis for Bradford City vs Cardiff City?
The statistical background for Bradford City vs Cardiff City — form, head-to-head, goals, BTTS and Over/Under — is on this page. The tip with full reasoning and a value assessment is in the NoFluffPicks app.