Riverside Stadium · Referee Tom Nield · Analysis updated 13:36 UTC
Middlesbrough vs Cardiff Prediction, Odds & Statistics
Our Poisson-based model projects 2.18 expected goals for Middlesbrough and 1.17 for Cardiff, a combined total of 3.35. That distribution gives Middlesbrough the largest share of the 1X2 market at 60%, with the draw at 20%. Goals markets follow the same shape: 65% for over 2.5 goals and 61% for both teams to score, with 2–1 the single most likely scoreline at 10%. Probabilities are statistical estimates and carry meaningful uncertainty — a 60% favourite still loses or draws a large share of the time.
This match has finished. The figures below are the model's estimate for the fixture, kept on the page for reference and study — they are not a betting tip, and nothing here has been edited after the final whistle.
Model pick
Middlesbrough win
60.3% probability
Expected goals
2.18 – 1.17
Model version
poisson-market-v1
Probabilities are statistical estimates, not guarantees.
Why the model likes this
Each point below is derived from this fixture's own data — recent results, home and away splits, scoring and defensive rates and head-to-head history where it exists. Points only appear when the underlying data supports them.
Middlesbrough home form
11 points from their last 5 home matches in our dataset.
Cardiff away threat
Scored in 3 of their last 5 away fixtures.
Most likely outcome
The model rates Middlesbrough to win the strongest 1X2 selection at 60%, against 60% / 20% / 20% for home, draw and away.
Expected goals balance
Projected 2.18 goals for Middlesbrough and 1.17 for Cardiff, a combined 3.35 — an open game on paper.
Match result (1X2)
Double chance 1X
80%
Double chance 12
80%
Double chance X2
40%
Goals markets
Correct score
- 2–19.8%
- 1–18.9%
- 2–08.3%
- 1–07.6%
- 3–17.1%
Odds vs model — value finder
Bookmaker prices with the margin removed (1X2 overround 7.1%), compared with our model probability.
Best value: Both teams to score — No at 2.62 (model 38.9% vs market 35.5%, edge +3.4 pts).
| Market | Selection | Odds | Market % | Model % | Fair odds | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Both teams to score | NoValue | 2.62 | 35.5% | 38.9% | 2.57 | +3.4 |
| Double chance | Home/Away | 1.20 | 79.5% | 79.9% | 1.25 | +0.4 |
| Match result | Home | 1.55 | 60.2% | 60.3% | 1.66 | +0.1 |
| Match result | Away | 4.80 | 19.5% | 19.6% | 5.10 | +0.1 |
| Double chance | Draw/Away | 2.40 | 39.7% | 39.7% | 2.52 | -0.0 |
| Match result | Draw | 4.60 | 20.3% | 20.1% | 4.98 | -0.2 |
| Double chance | Home/Draw | 1.18 | 80.8% | 80.4% | 1.24 | -0.4 |
| Both teams to score | Yes | 1.44 | 64.5% | 61.1% | 1.64 | -3.4 |
Market % has the bookmaker margin removed so it is comparable with the model. Edge is model % minus market %; it is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Recent form
Middlesbrough
- 2026-10-17T11:30:00.000Z · H vs Cardiff · 2-2 (D)
- 2026-10-13T19:00:00.000Z · A vs Stoke City · 3-2 (W)
- 2026-10-10T14:00:00.000Z · H vs Wolves · 1-0 (W)
- 2026-09-19T14:00:00.000Z · A vs Birmingham · 2-2 (D)
- 2026-09-15T18:45:00.000Z · H vs Millwall · 2-2 (D)
Cardiff
- 2026-10-17T11:30:00.000Z · A vs Middlesbrough · 2-2 (D)
- 2026-10-13T18:45:00.000Z · H vs Watford · 5-1 (W)
- 2026-10-10T14:00:00.000Z · A vs Blackburn · 1-2 (L)
- 2026-09-19T11:30:00.000Z · H vs Charlton · 3-1 (W)
- 2026-09-12T11:30:00.000Z · A vs Bolton · 0-1 (L)
Head-to-head
Head-to-head history is temporarily unavailable. The prediction is unaffected — it is built from current form, home and away performance, goals data and competition statistics.
Championship table
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swansea | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 23 |
| 2 | West Ham | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 22 |
| 3 | Middlesbrough | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 22 |
| 4 | Birmingham | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 20 |
| 5 | West Brom | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
| 6 | Stoke City | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 19 |
| 7 | Southampton | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 17 |
| 8 | Wolves | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 17 |
| 9 | QPR | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 17 |
| 10 | Blackburn | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 15 |
| 11 | Sheffield Utd | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 15 |
| 12 | Millwall | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 15 |
| 13 | Portsmouth | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 14 |
| 14 | Wrexham | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | -1 | 14 |
| 15 | Bolton | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 14 |
| 16 | Bristol City | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 14 |
| 17 | Charlton | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | -5 | 14 |
| 18 | Lincoln | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -10 | 12 |
| 19 | Cardiff | 11 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 11 |
| 20 | Watford | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -9 | 11 |
| 21 | Norwich | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | -4 | 9 |
| 22 | Burnley | 11 | 1 | 5 | 5 | -5 | 8 |
| 23 | Derby | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | -11 | 6 |
| 24 | Preston | 11 | 1 | 1 | 9 | -15 | 4 |
Prediction conclusion
The model's leading selection is Middlesbrough win, at 60.3%. Its single most likely scoreline is 2–1.
It puts both teams scoring at 61% and over 2.5 goals at 65%.
A 60% selection is expected to miss in the remaining share of matches, and football regularly produces red cards, injuries and tactical changes the data cannot see. Treat this as a probability, not a forecast of the result.
Predictions are statistical estimates generated from historical and current team data. They are provided for information and entertainment only and are not betting advice. 18+ only.