Match overview
Cardiff City welcome Stockport County to the Cardiff City Stadium on 24 January 2026 in what looks set to be a high-stakes League One fixture. The table tells the immediate story: Cardiff sit top with 55 points from 26 matches, while Stockport chase in fourth with 45 points. Home advantage and recent consistency give Cardiff the edge on paper — they have won 17 of their 26 league outings and boast ten clean sheets at home. Stockport arrive in good nick too, on a run that includes several wins in January, but this trip to Wales represents a genuine test of their title credentials.
Form, recent meetings and key numbers
Recent form pages read well for both sides. Cardiff’s run shows a string of wins interspersed with draws, and their January results include three victories and two draws from the last five, a sequence that keeps pressure on the chasing pack. Stockport have been lively up front — their reports through mid-January include 3-2 and 2-1 victories and a 1-0 win, reflecting a team capable of breaking opponents down. The head-to-head earlier in the season produced a 1-1 draw (13 September 2025), underlining that while Cardiff are favourites, Stockport are no strangers to getting points here.
Tactical indicators back an attacking game. Cardiff have generated more shots overall (378) and more shots on target (135) than Stockport, and they have found the net 45 times this season. Stockport are no slouches either with 37 goals, and both teams have seen the over 2.5 goals market hit in 14 of their matches apiece (about 54% of games). BTTS sits around 50% for Cardiff and slightly lower for Stockport away, suggesting goals at both ends are a realistic expectation. Referee Paul Howard will take charge, and the stadium’s 33,280 capacity promises a lively home crowd that could lift the hosts.
Prediction and betting tip
On balance the sensible 1X2 call is to side with the home victory. Bookmakers make Cardiff the favourite at 1.88 (implied probability roughly 53%), and that reflects a combination of superior home form, a higher goal return and defensive solidity through ten clean sheets. Stockport’s momentum and attacking quality make them dangerous, so this is not a guaranteed outcome — the draw remains a live alternative — but value leans to Cardiff to collect three points.
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Betting suggestion: Back Cardiff City to win (1X2) at 1.88 — stake conservatively given Stockport’s recent form and the realistic chance of goals.
