Bluebirds Aim to Overcome Lactics in 2026 Home Opener

Cardiff City open their 2026 home campaign against Wigan Athletic on Sunday, aiming for an eighth consecutive league win at the Cardiff City Stadium against a struggling Ryan Lowe side.

Lowe’s side are fighting a battle at the bottom end of the table, just three points above the relegation zone in 14th place in a congested section of the division.

Meanwhile, Brian Barry-Murphy's side will bid to dominate on home soil once more and look to forge a bigger gap at the top of the Sky Bet League One table.

Team News

Cardiff may well be without left-back Joel Bagan after he picked up a knock ahead of their last fixture on New Year’s Day, while Rubin Colwill and Eli King remain absentees.

Matthew Smith will miss the game as the final match of a three-game suspension for the visitors, while loanees Isaac Mabaya and Ryan Trevitt are still out long-term.

Form

The Bluebirds enter this one in strong form, having picked up three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five league games.

On New Year’s Day, they were held to a 1-1 draw at Adams Park, with missed chances the tale of the tape. However, their three-point lead at the top of the table remains intact as all five teams below them also failed to win.

Despite dropping points away from home, they boast an impressive run of seven consecutive home league victories, with their last defeat at the Cardiff City Stadium coming back in September against high-flyers Bradford City.

By contrast, The Lactics have picked up just one victory in their last five league encounters alongside two draws and two defeats.

To start 2026, they played out a 1-1 draw with Barnsley as they continue to battle their way above that congested lower end of the table.

Tactical Battle

Key Stats Comparison (via FotMob)

* Numbers in brackets indicate league ranking for that category

Stat	Cardiff City	Wigan Athletic	Advantage
Goals Per Match	1.80 (2nd)	1.10 (18th)	Cardiff
Goals Conceded Per Match	1.00 (4th)	1.10 (7th)	Cardiff
Average Possession	61.9% (1st)	44.6% (20th)	Cardiff
Clean Sheets	9 (2nd)	6 (12th)	Cardiff
xG for	38.2 (1st)	33.0 (6th)	Cardiff
xG Against	28.7 (12th)	23.8 (4th)	Wigan
Big Chances Created	70 (1st)	51 (9th)	Cardiff
Possession Won in Final 3rd Per Match	3.90 (5th)	2.80 (22nd)	Cardiff
Goals from Open Play	34 (1st)	17 (15th)	Cardiff
Set Piece Goals	4 (23rd)	8 (12th)	Wigan

The Bluebirds hold a clear statistical edge as seen in the above key metrics such as goals per match, big chances created, open play goals, possession, and clean sheets.

Wigan, however, rank towards the bottom for average possession and possession won in the final 3rd but show promise in their underlying xG numbers and defensively are strong.

In terms of their xG numbers, it would have them eight more points and nine places higher in 5th in the league, suggesting that they are a side underperforming their numbers relative to their quality in the squad.

Meanwhile, Cardiff’s individual quality is allowing them to hit close to their underlying numbers and outperform them at times, hence their position at the top of the league.

The tactical battle in this contest will likely see Cardiff dominate possession throughout and look to be patient on the ball and move that Wigan back 3/5 around to create openings.

Wigan will be content to sit deep, counterattack through quality wing-back play, capitalise on the set-piece battle, and improve their efficiency in front of goal to pull off a shock result.

Last Meeting:

Wigan Athletic 0-2 Cardiff City (September 2025)

In the reverse fixture, just over three months ago, City ran out comfortable winners at the Brick Community Stadium.

Perry Ng opened his account for the season with a well-taken first-half finish, before Yousef Salech came off the bench to convert a stoppage-time penalty, awarded after Welshman Morgan Fox’s foul saw him dismissed late on.

The Lactics last came out on top at the Cardiff City Stadium back in October 2016 with a late winner from former Swansea midfielder Jordi Gomez enough to secure a 1-0 victory.

Verdict

Cardiff City 3-0 Wigan Athletic

Cardiff were comfortable winners in the reverse fixture, and I expect to see a similarly dominant performance here from the league leaders.

The expected return of Cian Ashford in the starting line-up will be crucial as an outlet on that right-hand side, and allows Omari Kellyman to step into a natural No.10 role, which fits his best qualities.

Therefore, I am predicting an eighth consecutive league home victory for the Bluebirds to continue their impressive form at the top of Sky Bet League One.