TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH AT BOLTON

ccfcinsider
Oct 24
3 min read

Cardiff City are back on the road as they travel to face Steven Schumacher's Bolton Wanderers at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

The Opposition:

The Trotters were hugely inconsistent during the 24/25 season, leading to a change in manager as Ian Evatt was replaced by Steven Schumacher, who guided Bolton to an eighth placed finish.

As Bolton look to finally escape League One they have been active in the summer window, adding Marcus Forss from Middlesbrough, Amario Cozier-Duberry from Brighton and Hove Albion, Ibrahim Cissoko from Toulouse, Sam Dalby from Wrexham, Richard Taylor from St. Mirren, Mason Burstow from Hull City, Ethan Erhahon from Lincoln City, Thierry Gale from Rapid Vienna, Xavier Simons from Hull City, Nathan Broome from Swansea City, Tyler Miller from Notts County, Cyrus Christie from Swansea City, Charlie Warren from Felixstowe and Teddy Sharman-Lowe from Chelsea.

Schumacher has four non-negotiables as a manager: “Run forward and pass it forward. If you lose it, get it back, all recovery runs are sprints, and win all your one-v-ones." The 41 year-old is adaptable in the shape he uses in games. Schumacher asks for simple football from his players, and asks they retain possession, a common theme with the Bolton boss' teams are chances come from the flanks.

The Bluebirds:

City come into this one the back of a 2-1 win over Reading. After going behind in the first half, second half goals from Omari Kellyman and Yousef Salech were enough to clinch all three points and make Cardiff league leaders.

Brian Barry-Murphy's side could counter a Steven Schumacher side by using patient, possession-based play to draw out Schumacher’s compact mid-block and exploit the space behind with well-timed vertical passes.

Opposition Player to Watch:

In all honesty, any of Bolton's frontline could feature on this, with The Trotters also having league top scorer Mason Burstow on their books. However, Cozier-Duberry has certainly caught the eye since his summer move from Brighton. Cozier-Duberry is a dynamic winger who combines close control and quick acceleration with sharp dribbling and a tendency to cut inside to create or finish chances.

The winger began his career at Arsenal, before a move to Brighton in the summer of 2024. Cozier-Duberry spent last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, before completing another loan move to Bolton this season. The 20 year-old has four goals and four assists in all competitions so far this season.

Last Meeting:

Cardiff City 2-0 Bolton Wanderers (2018)

Cardiff City moved within a point of the Championship automatic promotion places with an efficient win over Bolton Wanderers.

First-half goals from Armand Traore and Sean Morrison was enough to secure Neil Warnock's side all three points in the Welsh Capital.

Team News:

Cardiff City - Brian Barry-Murphy hopeful of having Dylan Lawlor and Will Fish available. Eli King and Ollie Tanner remain out injured for The Bluebirds.

Bolton Wanderers - Chris Forino back available for the hosts. John McAtee, Will Forrester, Ethan Erhahon and Thierry Gale out for the hosts.

Preferred XI:

GK - Nathan Trott

RB - Ronan Kpakio

RCB - Dylan Lawlor

LCB - Will Fish

LB - Joel Bagan

CDM - Ryan Wintle

RCM - Joel Colwill

LCM - Rubin Colwill

RW - Omari Kellyman

LW - Chris Willock