League One Gameweek 34 Preview: Orient’s Survival Battle as Cardiff Bid to Extend Lead
Gameweek 34 Overview: Competition:Sky Bet League One Dates: Sat 21st Feb 2026 Number of Fixtures: 12 Leyton Orient: AWAY, Sixfields vs Northampton (Sat 21st Feb, 3:00pm)
Gameweek 34 sets up as a pivotal Saturday in League One, with Cardiff continuing to build their commanding lead at the top while, at the other end of the table, a beleaguered Leyton Orient travel to face a stubborn Northampton side in what could be a genuine six-pointer in the relegation battle. The standout early kick-off is Wycombe vs Stevenage at Adams Park – a potential promotion six-pointer with both sides eyeing a play-off place – while Lincoln City’s relentless march continues as they head to neighbours Mansfield in what promises to be one of the most feisty atmospheres of the season.
Gameweek 34 – Stats & Historical Data
All Fixtures – Head to Head, xG Form & Historical Positions
Playoff Race: Teams in 6th place at matchday 34 have averaged 58 points historically.
Relegation Battle: Teams in 21st at matchday 34 have averaged 32 points historically.
Leyton Orient at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 9th with 53 pts → Finished 6th
2023-24: 9th with 51 pts → Finished 12th
Rotherham vs Doncaster - Historical Insights
Rotherham at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 14th with 41 pts → Finished 13th
2021-22: 1st with 73 pts → Finished 2nd
2019-20: 1st with 58 pts → Finished 2nd
Doncaster at Matchday 34:
2021-22: 23rd with 25 pts → Finished 22nd
2020-21: 6th with 56 pts → Finished 14th
2019-20: 11th with 48 pts → Finished 9th
Head to Head (League One): Rotherham 2 wins, 0 draws, Doncaster 3 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Rotherham 1-2 Doncaster
2025-26: Doncaster 1-0 Rotherham
2021-22: Doncaster 0-5 Rotherham
Plymouth vs Cardiff - Historical Insights
Plymouth at Matchday 34:
2022-23: 1st with 73 pts → Finished 1st
2021-22: 3rd with 65 pts → Finished 7th
2020-21: 16th with 45 pts → Finished 18th
Head to Head (League One): Plymouth 1 wins, 0 draws, Cardiff 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Plymouth 5-2 Cardiff
2025-26: Cardiff 4-0 Plymouth
Wycombe vs Stevenage - Historical Insights
Wycombe at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 2nd with 67 pts → Finished 5th
2023-24: 14th with 44 pts → Finished 11th
2022-23: 7th with 59 pts → Finished 9th
2021-22: 5th with 61 pts → Finished 6th
2019-20: 5th with 56 pts → Finished 8th
Stevenage at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 12th with 44 pts → Finished 14th
2023-24: 6th with 59 pts → Finished 9th
Head to Head (League One): Wycombe 3 wins, 0 draws, Stevenage 3 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Wycombe 3-1 Stevenage
2025-26: Stevenage 1-0 Wycombe
2024-25: Wycombe 1-0 Stevenage
Huddersfield vs Barnsley - Historical Insights
Huddersfield at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 6th with 58 pts → Finished 10th
Barnsley at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 10th with 52 pts → Finished 12th
2023-24: 5th with 61 pts → Finished 6th
2022-23: 4th with 65 pts → Finished 4th
Head to Head (League One): Huddersfield 3 wins, 0 draws, Barnsley 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Huddersfield 2-1 Barnsley
2025-26: Barnsley 3-1 Huddersfield
2024-25: Barnsley 1-2 Huddersfield
Bolton vs Blackpool - Historical Insights
Bolton at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 8th with 54 pts → Finished 8th
2023-24: 2nd with 67 pts → Finished 3rd
2022-23: 5th with 61 pts → Finished 5th
2021-22: 11th with 49 pts → Finished 9th
2019-20: 22nd with 24 pts → Finished 22nd
Blackpool at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 11th with 47 pts → Finished 9th
2023-24: 10th with 50 pts → Finished 8th
2020-21: 5th with 56 pts → Finished 3rd
2019-20: 14th with 40 pts → Finished 13th
Head to Head (League One): Bolton 2 wins, 3 draws, Blackpool 3 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Bolton 2-2 Blackpool
2025-26: Blackpool 1-1 Bolton
2024-25: Blackpool 2-1 Bolton
AFC Wimbledon vs Bradford - Historical Insights
AFC Wimbledon at Matchday 34:
2021-22: 20th with 32 pts → Finished 23rd
2020-21: 20th with 35 pts → Finished 19th
2019-20: 20th with 30 pts → Finished 20th
Head to Head (League One): AFC Wimbledon 1 wins, 0 draws, Bradford 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: AFC Wimbledon 3-1 Bradford
2025-26: Bradford 3-2 AFC Wimbledon
Northampton vs Leyton Orient - Historical Insights
Northampton at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 20th with 37 pts → Finished 19th
2023-24: 13th with 45 pts → Finished 14th
2020-21: 19th with 35 pts → Finished 22nd
Leyton Orient at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 9th with 53 pts → Finished 6th
2023-24: 9th with 51 pts → Finished 12th
Head to Head (League One): Northampton 3 wins, 1 draws, Leyton Orient 2 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Northampton 1-2 Leyton Orient
2025-26: Leyton Orient 0-1 Northampton
2024-25: Leyton Orient 1-2 Northampton
Peterborough vs Exeter City - Historical Insights
Peterborough at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 19th with 37 pts → Finished 18th
2023-24: 4th with 62 pts → Finished 4th
2022-23: 8th with 57 pts → Finished 6th
2020-21: 1st with 63 pts → Finished 2nd
2019-20: 6th with 55 pts → Finished 6th
Exeter City at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 16th with 40 pts → Finished 16th
2023-24: 16th with 39 pts → Finished 13th
2022-23: 11th with 45 pts → Finished 14th
Head to Head (League One): Peterborough 3 wins, 2 draws, Exeter City 3 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Peterborough 3-3 Exeter City
2025-26: Exeter City 3-0 Peterborough
2024-25: Peterborough 1-1 Exeter City
Port Vale vs Reading - Historical Insights
Port Vale at Matchday 34:
2023-24: 22nd with 32 pts → Finished 23rd
2022-23: 16th with 40 pts → Finished 18th
Reading at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 7th with 56 pts → Finished 7th
2023-24: 15th with 42 pts → Finished 15th
Head to Head (League One): Port Vale 1 wins, 1 draws, Reading 2 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Port Vale 1-1 Reading
2025-26: Reading 1-0 Port Vale
2023-24: Reading 2-0 Port Vale
Luton vs Burton Albion - Historical Insights
Burton Albion at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 21st with 33 pts → Finished 20th
2023-24: 18th with 38 pts → Finished 20th
2022-23: 17th with 38 pts → Finished 15th
2021-22: 14th with 43 pts → Finished 16th
2020-21: 18th with 38 pts → Finished 16th
2019-20: 13th with 44 pts → Finished 12th
Head to Head (League One): Luton 1 wins, 1 draws, Burton Albion 0 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Luton 1-1 Burton Albion
2025-26: Burton Albion 0-3 Luton
Mansfield Town vs Lincoln - Historical Insights
Mansfield Town at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 17th with 39 pts → Finished 17th
Lincoln at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 13th with 43 pts → Finished 11th
2023-24: 11th with 50 pts → Finished 7th
2022-23: 14th with 42 pts → Finished 11th
2021-22: 18th with 38 pts → Finished 17th
2020-21: 2nd with 63 pts → Finished 5th
2019-20: 16th with 38 pts → Finished 15th
Head to Head (League One): Mansfield Town 0 wins, 1 draws, Lincoln 3 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Mansfield Town 0-2 Lincoln
2025-26: Lincoln 1-1 Mansfield Town
2024-25: Mansfield Town 0-3 Lincoln
Stockport County vs Wigan - Historical Insights
Stockport County at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 4th with 62 pts → Finished 3rd
Wigan at Matchday 34:
2024-25: 15th with 40 pts → Finished 15th
2023-24: 8th with 51 pts → Finished 10th
2021-22: 2nd with 72 pts → Finished 1st
2020-21: 22nd with 31 pts → Finished 20th
Head to Head (League One): Stockport County 2 wins, 2 draws, Wigan 0 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Stockport County 4-2 Wigan
2025-26: Wigan 1-1 Stockport County
2024-25: Wigan 0-2 Stockport County
Current League One Table
League One Table
League One
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Lincoln
42
28
9
5
79
36
43
93
2
Cardiff
41
24
9
8
76
42
34
81
3
Bradford
42
21
8
13
52
46
6
71
4
Bolton
42
18
16
8
59
44
15
70
5
Stockport County
42
18
16
8
59
44
15
70
6
Stevenage
41
19
10
12
43
38
5
67
7
Plymouth
42
19
6
17
66
58
8
63
8
Huddersfield
42
17
11
14
65
56
9
62
9
Reading
43
16
14
13
62
55
7
62
10
Luton
41
17
10
14
57
50
7
61
11
Wycombe
43
16
12
15
63
51
12
60
12
Barnsley
40
14
12
14
63
65
-2
54
13
Mansfield Town
40
13
14
13
50
43
7
53
14
Doncaster
42
15
8
19
43
64
-21
53
15
Wigan
42
13
13
16
46
56
-10
52
16
Peterborough
41
15
6
20
60
58
2
51
17
Burton Albion
43
13
12
18
46
56
-10
51
18
Blackpool
43
14
9
20
51
65
-14
51
19
Leyton Orient
42
14
8
20
57
66
-9
50
20
AFC Wimbledon
42
14
8
20
49
63
-14
50
21
Exeter City
43
12
11
20
47
55
-8
47
22
Rotherham
41
9
10
22
36
62
-26
37
23
Northampton
41
9
8
24
34
60
-26
35
24
Port Vale
39
8
10
21
30
54
-24
34
← scroll →
Updated: 14 Apr 2026, 10:45 PM
Leyton Orient Historical Comparison
Leyton Orient at Matchday 34 – Through The Years
Historical Position Comparison
Leyton Orient at League One Matchday 34
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
19th
50
-9
-4.6
WDDLL
-
2024-25
9th
53
+16
+0.0
WWLLL
6th
2023-24
9th
51
+0
+0.0
WLWLW
12th
Data from 6 League One seasons (2019-2025)
BTP Analysis & Verdicts
Key Storylines This Week
Cardiff’s Relentless March: The Bluebirds travel to Plymouth sitting four points clear at the top and on a three-game winning run. With the best away form in the division, stopping them is easier said than done – but a Plymouth side rediscovering their home groove will provide a genuine test.
Lincoln Mania Rolls Into Mansfield: Lincoln City arrive at One Call Stadium unbeaten in 15 league games and riding the wave of the most talked-about run in English football right now. The away end will be sold out, the atmosphere will be electric, and Michael Skubala’s side will be desperate to close any gap Cardiff let slip.
Orient’s Relegation Reckoning: Leyton Orient have won just one of their last ten games and sit in 22nd place, and their trip to Northampton looks anything but straightforward. Northampton are dour and difficult to beat – only one defeat in their last four – and if Orient can’t find a result here, the drop zone looms ever larger.
Match of the Week: Wycombe vs Stevenage
Two sides with genuine play-off ambitions go head to head at Adams Park in what could prove a defining early kick-off for both. Wycombe have nine of their eleven wins at home, making Adams Park a fortress – but Stevenage arrive in fine fettle, picking up two wins on the bounce since the Harry Cornick injury blow, and sitting just a point off the top six with two games in hand. It has all the ingredients of a tightly contested affair, and the stakes make it our clear pick of the round.
Wycombe vs Stevenage
Last 5 league meetings
Wycombe3Wins
0Draws
Stevenage2Wins
Total Goals: 7 - 3
Date
Home
Score
Away
xG
21 Feb 2026 2025-26
Wycombe
3 - 1
Stevenage
-
30 Aug 2025 2025-26
Stevenage
1 - 0
Wycombe
-
12 Apr 2025 2024-25
Wycombe
1 - 0
Stevenage
-
26 Dec 2024 2024-25
Stevenage
0 - 3
Wycombe
-
24 Feb 2024 2023-24
Stevenage
1 - 0
Wycombe
-
Form Comparison - Last 6 Games
#
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Form
1
Stevenage
6
4
1
1
4
1
+3
13
WLWDWW
2
Wycombe
6
2
1
3
10
10
0
7
WLWLLD
Wycombe - Recent Results
W2-0vs Cardiff (A)
L0-2vs Leyton Orient (A)
W4-0vs Port Vale (H)
L0-3vs Stockport County (A)
L1-2vs Bradford (H)
D3-3vs Huddersfield (A)
Stevenage - Recent Results
W1-0vs AFC Wimbledon (H)
L0-1vs Plymouth (A)
W1-0vs Reading (H)
D0-0vs Rotherham (A)
W1-0vs Blackpool (H)
W1-0vs Bradford (A)
Wycombe - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Stevenage - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Wycombe - Goals by Time Period 2025/2026
Best Scoring Period
76-90+ mins
Most Vulnerable Period
31-45 mins
Stevenage - Goals by Time Period 2025/2026
Best Scoring Period
46-60 mins
Most Vulnerable Period
61-75 mins
Historical Position Comparison
Wycombe - Saturday 21st February 2026
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
11th
60
+12
+0.4
LWLLD
-
2024-25
2nd
67
+27
+0.0
DWDLW
5th
2023-24
14th
44
+1
+0.0
WLDWW
11th
2022-23
7th
59
+17
+0.0
WWLWW
9th
2021-22
5th
61
+18
+0.0
DDDWW
6th
2019-20
5th
56
+5
+0.0
WLWLW
8th
Historical Position Comparison
Stevenage - Saturday 21st February 2026
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
6th
67
+5
-0.2
LWDWW
-
2024-25
12th
44
-4
+0.0
DLWLL
14th
2023-24
6th
59
+14
+0.0
DLLWW
9th
Player to Watch: Sam Bell
👀 Player to Watch: Sam Bell (Wycombe)
Sam Bell is Wycombe’s standout creative force and their highest-rated player this season. Operating as a number ten or wide forward, he’s been directly involved in the majority of Wycombe’s most dangerous attacks at Adams Park and will be the man Stevenage must keep quiet if they want to leave with anything. With Wycombe relying so heavily on their home dominance, Bell’s ability to unlock a well-organised Stevenage back line in the early exchanges could be the difference between three points and a frustrating stalemate.
Sam Bell
Wycombe • M • 2025-2026 Season
17 apps6 goals2 assists6.83 avg rating
BTP Verdict
Stevenage have only scored 34 league goals all season – the lowest of any side outside the bottom half – which tells you their threat is more about defensive resilience than attacking firepower. Wycombe at home, though, are a different proposition, and with Adams Park frequently rocking on a Saturday afternoon, we’re backing the Chairboys to nick it narrowly. A low-scoring win for the home side feels right given both teams’ cautious recent form.
Prediction
Wycombe 1-0 Stevenage
One to Watch
Sam Bell
Key Battle
Bell vs Stevenage’s Defensive Block
Leyton Orient Focus: Northampton vs Leyton Orient
The Opposition: Northampton Town under Kevin Nolan are a side built on shape, set pieces, and sheer hard work rather than flowing football. They sit 21st in the form table over their last ten games – hardly impressive – but they draw matches rather than lose them: one win, four draws and five defeats in that run. They are a team that does not give you an inch, and with 33% of Orient’s goals conceded coming from set pieces, Nolan will have his targets well-identified.
Key Battle: Orient’s defensive frailty at set pieces against Northampton’s physicality and organisation from dead balls is the critical matchup. If Leyton Orient concede from a corner in the first half, this could get very difficult very quickly.
What We Think: On paper, the form guide says Northampton are there for the taking – they have struggled to score all season. But Orient have looked unrecognisable from the team that flirted with the top ten earlier in the campaign, and away from Brisbane Road they look especially vulnerable. The podcast pundits were split – one fancied Orient 2-0, the other a draw – and we’ll err toward the draw given how little both sides are creating right now. Points shared, but for Orient every point matters.
Leyton Orient vs Northampton
Last 5 league meetings
Leyton Orient2Wins
0Draws
Northampton3Wins
Total Goals: 7 - 8
Date
Home
Score
Away
xG
21 Feb 2026 2025-26
Northampton
1 - 2
Leyton Orient
-
30 Aug 2025 2025-26
Leyton Orient
0 - 1
Northampton
-
08 Mar 2025 2024-25
Leyton Orient
1 - 2
Northampton
-
19 Oct 2024 2024-25
Northampton
1 - 0
Leyton Orient
-
13 Feb 2024 2023-24
Leyton Orient
4 - 3
Northampton
-
Form Comparison - Last 6 Games
#
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Form
1
Leyton Orient
6
2
2
2
8
6
+2
8
WWDDLL
2
Northampton
6
0
0
6
3
13
-10
0
LLLLLL
Leyton Orient - Recent Results
W4-2vs AFC Wimbledon (A)
W2-0vs Wycombe (H)
D0-0vs Exeter City (A)
D0-0vs Wigan (A)
L1-2vs Huddersfield (H)
L1-2vs Lincoln (A)
Northampton - Recent Results
L0-1vs AFC Wimbledon (A)
L0-2vs Burton Albion (H)
L1-2vs Stockport County (A)
L1-4vs Mansfield Town (A)
L0-1vs Bradford (A)
L1-3vs Wigan (H)
Leyton Orient - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Northampton - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Leyton Orient - Goals by Time Period 2025/2026
Best Scoring Period
46-60 mins
Most Vulnerable Period
76-90+ mins
Northampton - Goals by Time Period 2025/2026
Best Scoring Period
46-60 mins
Most Vulnerable Period
46-60 mins
Historical Position Comparison
Leyton Orient - Saturday 21st February 2026
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
19th
50
-9
-4.6
WDDLL
-
2024-25
9th
53
+16
+0.0
WWLLL
6th
2023-24
9th
51
+0
+0.0
WLWLW
12th
Historical Position Comparison
Northampton - Saturday 21st February 2026
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
23rd
35
-26
-9.9
LLLLL
-
2024-25
20th
37
-18
+0.0
WLWLD
19th
2023-24
13th
45
-9
+0.0
DLWDL
14th
2020-21
19th
35
-19
+0.0
DLWWW
22nd
Player to Watch: Dominic Ballard
👀 Player to Watch: Dominic Ballard (Leyton Orient)
Dominic Ballard is Orient’s top scorer this season with 15 goals – a remarkable individual tally on what has been a troubled campaign for the club as a whole. He is almost literally carrying the attacking threat on his own right now, and games frequently hinge on whether he can conjure something from limited service. If Orient are to get anything from Sixfields, they will almost certainly need Ballard to be at his clinical best against a defence that, for all its faults, doesn’t give strikers a free ride.
Dominic Ballard
Leyton Orient • F • 2025-2026 Season
36 apps22 goals4 assists6.98 avg rating
BTP Verdict
Both sides are crying out for points, and neither has the form or firepower to inspire much confidence right now. Northampton’s ability to grind out draws and Orient’s chronic inability to keep a clean sheet suggests the most likely outcome is a scrappy, tension-filled point apiece. A draw keeps Orient in touch; a defeat could see them dragged deeper into serious trouble with only 12 games remaining.
Prediction
Northampton 1-1 Leyton Orient
One to Watch
Dominic Ballard
Key Battle
Northampton Set Pieces vs Orient’s Leaky Defence
BTP Predictions Summary
Plymouth Argyle vs Cardiff City
0-2
Rotherham United vs Doncaster Rovers
1-2
Wycombe Wanderers vs Stevenage
1-0
AFC Wimbledon vs Bradford City
1-2
Bolton Wanderers vs Blackpool
2-0
Huddersfield Town vs Barnsley
2-1
Luton Town vs Burton Albion
1-0
Mansfield Town vs Lincoln City
0-2
Northampton Town vs Leyton Orient
1-1
Peterborough United vs Exeter City
3-1
Port Vale vs Reading
0-2
Stockport County vs Wigan Athletic
2-1
Final Thoughts
Gameweek 34 is headlined by Cardiff’s trip to Plymouth in an early kick-off that could extend the Bluebirds’ lead to seven points if results go their way, while Lincoln’s relentless form will truly be tested in the white-hot atmosphere of a sold-out Mansfield. Keep an eye on the 3pm kick-offs too – there are several results that could significantly reshape the bottom half of the table.
Best case for Leyton Orient: Dominic Ballard fires them in front early, Northampton’s toothless attack can’t find a way back, and Orient pick up three precious points that drag them out of the bottom four and buy some crucial breathing room heading into March.
Worst case: Northampton win it from a set piece – which is very much on the cards given Orient’s alarming record against dead-ball situations – and the O’s slide deeper into the relegation mire with the teams around them picking up points. With only 12 games remaining, it would make for a very anxious run-in.
Check back after the weekend for our full League One Gameweek 34 review with xG analysis!
Kieron is a healthcare professional turned data analyst and football obsessive. BeyondThePrem was built from scratch as a passion project — the ML models, the pipeline and the plugin are all his own work. He thinks the Championship is the most interesting division in world football and has the spreadsheets to prove it.
Rotherham22nd
Doncaster14th
Plymouth7th
Cardiff2nd
Wycombe11th
Stevenage6th
Huddersfield8th
Barnsley12th
Bolton4th
Blackpool18th
AFC Wimbledon20th
Bradford3rd
Northampton23rd
Leyton Orient19th
Peterborough16th
Exeter City21st
Port Vale24th
Reading9th
Luton10th
Burton Albion17th
Mansfield Town13th
Lincoln1st
Stockport County5th
Wigan15th