Cardiff City v Stoke City: survival scrap meets momentum push | OneFootball

Cardiff City host Stoke City in the Championship at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, with the hosts trying to climb out of the relegation places and the visitors looking to extend a two-match upswing.

This fixture has been tight: 55% of recent meetings ended level, though Stoke City won the most recent game in Cardiff 1-0 in April 2025.

Cardiff City drew their first three league matches before back to back defeats at Queens Park Rangers and Portsmouth. Stoke City lost three on the bounce to start but responded with home wins over Norwich City and Charlton Athletic. They are yet to take a point away.

Cardiff City are without defenders Calum Chambers, William Thomas Fish, Dylan Lawlor and Noah Anyadike, plus forward Isaak Davies. Stoke City list Ben Gibson, Aaron Cresswell, Sam Gallagher, Svante Ingelsson, Million Manhoef and Junior Tchamadeu as injured.

On the pitch, Cardiff City have seen plenty of the ball with 65% possession and 85.83% passing accuracy, and they deliver high volumes of crosses from open play. But they are still seeking a first clean sheet after conceding nine goals. Cian Ashford leads their league scoring with two. Stoke City have kept two clean sheets, play with less of the ball at 45% possession, and could look to counter. Ethan Galbraith has three league goals, while Eric Junior Bocat has supplied two assists.

Cardiff City sit 22nd on three points and, with a win, would move to six and could climb out of the relegation zone. Stoke City are 13th on six points. Victory would take them to nine and could push them towards the top half.