Cardiff meet Bolton in a crucial League One showdown in the race for automatic promotion.
Victory would move second-placed Cardiff 11 points clear of fourth-placed Bolton, whilst Bolton can climb to third and five points behind the Bluebirds with a win.
Team News
Calum Chambers is a doubt for Cardiff after he suffered a wrist injury in their 1-1 draw at Peterborough on Easter Monday.
Dylan Lawlor (ankle) faces a late fitness test but Gabriel Osho (suspension) is ruled out.
Bolton will welcome George Johnston back into contention after he missed their 2-2 draw against Stockport County due to illness.
Xavier Simons (knee), Ethan Erhahon (calf), John McAtee (suspension) and Corey Blackett-Taylor (thigh) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Cardiff host Bolton at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday 11 April at 12:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports+ in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Cardiff have won three of their last seven league meetings against Bolton (W3, L4).
- Bolton have claimed seven points in three of their last five visits to Cardiff (W2, D1, L2).
- Two of Cardiff’s last three meetings against Bolton ended in 2-0 results, of which both teams took one win apiece by that scoreline at home.
- Cardiff have failed to score in their last three league matches at home (D1, L2), of which their two defeats were both by 2-0 results against Lincoln City and Wycombe Wanderers respectively.
- Bolton have lost just one of their last nine away matches in League One (W4, D4, L1).
Prediction
With an eight-point gap over Bolton and a game in hand, I think that Cardiff will realistically all but mathematically seal automatic promotion with a win as can’t see Bradford catching them, but the Bluebirds need to be more clinical than in their last few games given their mini dip at an not ideal time.
They should therefore be thankful that they had that buffer in terms of points on the chasing pack but this is squeaky bum time, as they can’t afford to lose this or questions will begin swirling about their mental bottle to finish the job.
Bolton meanwhile will of been disappointed with their draw at home to Stockport because if they had won that game, they would of come into this match knowing that a win could of put them three points behind Cardiff yet they’re eight points behind so a win is now imperative if want to go up automatically.
Given what’s at stake for both teams, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a nervy start but given Cardiff’s recent dip, this is a chance that Bolton must take and I fancy them to just nick it if can capitalise on the hosts’ defensive issues.
Prediction: Cardiff 1-2 Bolton
Result: Cardiff 2-0 Bolton
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