League One Gameweek 35 Preview: Leaders Cardiff Head to Doncaster as Stockport Chase Them Down
Gameweek 35 Overview: Competition:Sky Bet League One Dates: Saturday 28th February 2026 Number of Fixtures: 12 Leyton Orient: BetWright Stadium vs Barnsley (Sat, 12:30pm)
With just eleven games left on the League One calendar, the promotion and relegation pictures are sharpening fast as Gameweek 35 gets underway on Saturday. The early kick-off at BetWright Stadium sees Leyton Orient face a Barnsley side who have been involved in high-scoring affairs all season — a genuine test of O’s defensive resolve. The standout 3pm clash comes from South Yorkshire, where League One leaders Cardiff City make the trip to Doncaster Rovers in a match that could cement the Bluebirds’ grip on the title, while second-placed Stockport County head to Stevenage in what promises to be a crucial afternoon at the top of the table.
Gameweek 35 – Stats & Historical Data
All Fixtures – Head to Head, xG Form & Historical Positions
Head to Head (League One): Leyton Orient 2 wins, 1 draws, Barnsley 4 wins
Recent Meetings:
2026-27: Leyton Orient 1-3 Barnsley (xG: 0.7-2.0)
2025-26: Leyton Orient 1-3 Barnsley (xG: 1.2-1.4)
2025-26: Barnsley 3-2 Leyton Orient (xG: 1.9-2.1)
Reading vs Bradford - Historical Insights
Reading at Matchday 35:
2024-25: 7th with 57 pts → Finished 7th
2023-24: 15th with 42 pts → Finished 15th
Head to Head (League One): Reading 1 wins, 1 draws, Bradford 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2026-27: Reading 1-1 Bradford (xG: 0.7-0.9)
2025-26: Reading 2-1 Bradford (xG: 1.2-1.3)
2025-26: Bradford 2-0 Reading (xG: 1.2-0.7)
Wigan vs Huddersfield - Historical Insights
Wigan at Matchday 35:
2024-25: 15th with 41 pts → Finished 15th
2023-24: 10th with 52 pts → Finished 10th
2021-22: 2nd with 75 pts → Finished 1st
2020-21: 22nd with 34 pts → Finished 20th
Huddersfield at Matchday 35:
2024-25: 6th with 58 pts → Finished 10th
Head to Head (League One): Wigan 2 wins, 1 draws, Huddersfield 2 wins
Recent Meetings:
2026-27: Huddersfield 2-1 Wigan (xG: 3.1-0.5)
2025-26: Wigan 1-0 Huddersfield (xG: 0.9-2.3)
2025-26: Huddersfield 1-1 Wigan (xG: 0.8-0.8)
Rotherham vs Plymouth - Historical Insights
Rotherham at Matchday 35:
2024-25: 14th with 44 pts → Finished 13th
2021-22: 1st with 76 pts → Finished 2nd
2019-20: 1st with 61 pts → Finished 2nd
Plymouth at Matchday 35:
2022-23: 1st with 76 pts → Finished 1st
2021-22: 4th with 65 pts → Finished 7th
2020-21: 17th with 45 pts → Finished 18th
Head to Head (League One): Rotherham 3 wins, 0 draws, Plymouth 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Rotherham 1-0 Plymouth (xG: 2.7-1.5)
2025-26: Plymouth 1-0 Rotherham (xG: 0.5-2.0)
2021-22: Plymouth 0-1 Rotherham
Port Vale vs Luton - Historical Insights
Port Vale at Matchday 35:
2023-24: 22nd with 32 pts → Finished 23rd
2022-23: 14th with 43 pts → Finished 18th
Head to Head (League One): Port Vale 0 wins, 2 draws, Luton 0 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Port Vale 1-1 Luton (xG: 1.6-2.3)
2025-26: Luton 2-2 Port Vale (xG: 1.2-1.0)
Doncaster vs Cardiff - Historical Insights
Doncaster at Matchday 35:
2021-22: 22nd with 28 pts → Finished 22nd
2020-21: 7th with 56 pts → Finished 14th
2019-20: 11th with 48 pts → Finished 9th
Head to Head (League One): Doncaster 0 wins, 0 draws, Cardiff 2 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Doncaster 0-4 Cardiff (xG: 2.1-2.3)
2025-26: Cardiff 4-3 Doncaster (xG: 2.3-2.0)
Wycombe vs Burton Albion - Historical Insights
Wycombe at Matchday 35:
2024-25: 2nd with 70 pts → Finished 5th
2023-24: 14th with 44 pts → Finished 11th
2022-23: 7th with 60 pts → Finished 9th
2021-22: 6th with 61 pts → Finished 6th
2019-20: 4th with 59 pts → Finished 8th
Burton Albion at Matchday 35:
2024-25: 21st with 33 pts → Finished 20th
2023-24: 18th with 38 pts → Finished 20th
2022-23: 18th with 38 pts → Finished 15th
2021-22: 12th with 44 pts → Finished 16th
2020-21: 18th with 41 pts → Finished 16th
2019-20: 12th with 47 pts → Finished 12th
Head to Head (League One): Wycombe 8 wins, 3 draws, Burton Albion 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2026-27: Wycombe 2-0 Burton Albion (xG: 1.3-0.9)
2025-26: Wycombe 3-0 Burton Albion (xG: 1.2-0.9)
2025-26: Burton Albion 0-0 Wycombe (xG: 1.2-1.2)
Exeter City vs Bolton - Historical Insights
Exeter City at Matchday 35:
2024-25: 16th with 41 pts → Finished 16th
2023-24: 16th with 40 pts → Finished 13th
2022-23: 11th with 46 pts → Finished 14th
Bolton at Matchday 35:
2024-25: 8th with 57 pts → Finished 8th
2023-24: 2nd with 67 pts → Finished 3rd
2022-23: 5th with 62 pts → Finished 5th
2021-22: 11th with 52 pts → Finished 9th
2019-20: 22nd with 24 pts → Finished 22nd
Head to Head (League One): Exeter City 1 wins, 1 draws, Bolton 6 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Exeter City 1-5 Bolton (xG: 1.4-4.7)
2025-26: Bolton 2-1 Exeter City (xG: 2.4-0.1)
2024-25: Exeter City 1-2 Bolton
Stevenage vs Stockport County - Historical Insights
Stevenage at Matchday 35:
2024-25: 12th with 47 pts → Finished 14th
2023-24: 6th with 62 pts → Finished 9th
Stockport County at Matchday 35:
2024-25: 5th with 61 pts → Finished 3rd
Head to Head (League One): Stevenage 3 wins, 0 draws, Stockport County 3 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Stockport County 2-0 Stevenage (xG: 0.8-1.2)
2025-26: Stevenage 0-1 Stockport County (xG: 0.3-1.1)
2025-26: Stevenage 2-1 Stockport County (xG: 2.3-0.9)
Mansfield Town vs AFC Wimbledon - Historical Insights
Mansfield Town at Matchday 35:
2024-25: 17th with 40 pts → Finished 17th
AFC Wimbledon at Matchday 35:
2021-22: 20th with 33 pts → Finished 23rd
2020-21: 20th with 35 pts → Finished 19th
2019-20: 20th with 31 pts → Finished 20th
Head to Head (League One): Mansfield Town 1 wins, 2 draws, AFC Wimbledon 0 wins
Recent Meetings:
2026-27: AFC Wimbledon 0-3 Mansfield Town (xG: 0.5-2.0)
2025-26: Mansfield Town 2-2 AFC Wimbledon (xG: 2.7-2.3)
2025-26: AFC Wimbledon 0-0 Mansfield Town (xG: 0.2-0.8)
Lincoln vs Blackpool - Historical Insights
Lincoln at Matchday 35:
2024-25: 13th with 46 pts → Finished 11th
2023-24: 11th with 51 pts → Finished 7th
2022-23: 12th with 45 pts → Finished 11th
2021-22: 18th with 36 pts → Finished 17th
2020-21: 2nd with 64 pts → Finished 5th
2019-20: 15th with 39 pts → Finished 15th
Blackpool at Matchday 35:
2024-25: 11th with 48 pts → Finished 9th
2023-24: 9th with 53 pts → Finished 8th
2020-21: 5th with 59 pts → Finished 3rd
2019-20: 14th with 41 pts → Finished 13th
Head to Head (League One): Lincoln 4 wins, 3 draws, Blackpool 4 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Lincoln 4-0 Blackpool (xG: 3.6-0.6)
2025-26: Blackpool 2-2 Lincoln (xG: 3.6-0.5)
2024-25: Lincoln 0-2 Blackpool
Current League One Table
League One Table
League One
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Huddersfield
13
8
4
1
27
11
16
28
2
Stockport County
14
8
2
4
26
14
12
26
3
Oxford United
12
6
5
1
20
11
9
23
4
Luton
13
7
2
4
26
20
6
23
5
Plymouth
14
7
2
5
21
19
2
23
6
Reading
13
6
4
3
25
13
12
22
7
Bradford
13
6
4
3
10
8
2
22
8
Cambridge United
14
5
6
3
21
21
0
21
9
Sheffield Wednesday
13
5
5
3
22
14
8
20
10
Leicester
13
5
4
4
22
19
3
19
11
Milton Keynes Dons
13
4
6
3
22
20
2
18
12
Mansfield Town
12
5
3
4
20
18
2
18
13
Wycombe
13
4
6
3
21
23
-2
18
14
Leyton Orient
13
5
2
6
19
14
5
17
15
Burton Albion
14
4
5
5
18
21
-3
17
16
Stevenage
12
4
4
4
17
13
4
16
17
Notts County
12
3
5
4
13
14
-1
14
18
AFC Wimbledon
13
3
4
6
9
21
-12
13
19
Blackpool
12
3
3
6
17
21
-4
12
20
Doncaster
13
3
3
7
14
22
-8
12
21
Wigan
13
3
1
9
11
22
-11
10
22
Peterborough
13
2
4
7
11
23
-12
10
23
Barnsley
12
2
3
7
12
22
-10
9
24
Bromley
13
2
3
8
13
33
-20
9
← scroll →
Updated: 03 Nov 2026, 7:53 PM
Leyton Orient Historical Comparison
Leyton Orient at Matchday 35 – Through The Years
Historical Position Comparison
Leyton Orient at League One Matchday 35
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2026-27(now)
14th
17
+5
-4.2
DWLLW
-
2025-26
18th
40
-11
-4.4
LWLWD
20th
2024-25
9th
53
+15
-
WLLLL
6th
2023-24
8th
54
+1
-
LWLWW
12th
Data from 6 League One seasons (2019-2025)
BTP Analysis & Verdicts
Key Storylines This Week
Barnsley’s Goal Glut: The Reds have seen over 2.5 goals in each of their last nine League One matches — a remarkable run that sets up a fascinating early kick-off at BetWright Stadium, where Orient’s defence will need to be at their sharpest.
Stockport’s Title Charge Continues: Stockport County arrive at Lamex Stadium on the back of a 4-2 thumping of Wigan Athletic, with Dave Challinor’s side looking every inch like champions-elect. A win at Stevenage would extend their lead at the top and put real pressure on the chasing pack.
Wigan’s New-Manager Bounce?: Wigan Athletic sacked Ryan Lowe on 8th February with the club in 22nd place, and their new man faces a tough baptism at home to a Huddersfield side buoyed by Liam Manning’s arrival in January. The result here could have serious relegation consequences.
Match of the Week: Doncaster Rovers vs Cardiff City
Cardiff City arrive at The Eco-Power Stadium as the League One leaders, top of the table and looking every bit the side that will return to the Championship at the first attempt. Brian Barry-Murphy’s Bluebirds have assembled the strongest squad in the division and are powered by the goals of Yousef Salech, who has 12 League One strikes to his name already this season. Doncaster will need to be at their absolute best to contain them, but on home turf they’ll fancy causing an upset in front of their own supporters.
Doncaster vs Cardiff
Last 2 league meetings
Doncaster0Wins
0Draws
Cardiff2Wins
Total Goals: 3 - 8
Date
Home
Score
Away
xG
28 Feb 2026 2025-26
Doncaster
0 - 4
Cardiff
2.1 - 2.3
13 Dec 2025 2025-26
Cardiff
4 - 3
Doncaster
2.3 - 2.0
Team not found: Cardiff
Doncaster - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Cardiff - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Doncaster - Goals by Time Period 2026/2027
Best Scoring Period
76-90+ mins
Most Vulnerable Period
61-75 mins
Cardiff - Goals by Time Period 2026/2027
Best Scoring Period
0-15 mins
Most Vulnerable Period
0-15 mins
No fixture found for Doncaster on Saturday 28th February 2026.
No fixture found for Cardiff on Saturday 28th February 2026.
Player to Watch: Yousef Salech
👀 Player to Watch: Yousef Salech (Cardiff City)
Yousef Salech is the most dangerous striker in League One right now — 13 goals and 4 assists in the league this season, and at 6’5″ he’s a genuine aerial and physical threat that will test any defence. The 24-year-old Danish forward will go up against Connor O’Riordan and Jay McGrath in the Doncaster backline, and if he can impose himself early, Cardiff should have too much quality for a Rovers side sitting deep in the relegation zone.
No season statistics found for Yousef Salech in 2026-2027.
BTP Verdict
Cardiff’s League One-leading form and Salech’s goal threat make them strong favourites here, though Doncaster at home are never easy and the South Yorkshire crowd will get behind their team from the first whistle. We’re backing Cardiff to take the points, but don’t rule out a nervy finish if Doncaster get an early goal and test Cardiff’s character on the road.
The Opposition: Barnsley arrive off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town, but their overall season has been defined by goals — the Reds have seen over 2.5 goals in nine consecutive League One matches, suggesting both their attacking intent and occasional defensive vulnerability. They’re a confident side with promotion ambitions of their own and won’t be easy to contain at BetWright Stadium.
Key Battle: Dan Happe and Omar Beckles will need to be at their best against Davis Keillor-Dunn, who has 13 League One goals this season and is one of the division’s most dangerous forwards. If Orient’s centre-back partnership can keep him quiet, they give themselves a real chance of a result.
What We Think: Both sides have something to play for and the odds reflect how evenly matched they are on paper. Barnsley’s goal-laden form gives us pause, but Orient at home are difficult to break down when organised. We’ll back a draw here — a share of the spoils wouldn’t be a disaster for either team at this stage of the season.
Leyton Orient vs Barnsley
Last 5 league meetings
Leyton Orient2Wins
0Draws
Barnsley3Wins
Total Goals: 12 - 12
Date
Home
Score
Away
xG
29 Aug 2026 2026-27
Leyton Orient
1 - 3
Barnsley
0.7 - 2.0
28 Feb 2026 2025-26
Leyton Orient
1 - 3
Barnsley
1.2 - 1.4
13 Dec 2025 2025-26
Barnsley
3 - 2
Leyton Orient
1.9 - 2.1
18 Apr 2025 2024-25
Leyton Orient
4 - 3
Barnsley
-
21 Dec 2024 2024-25
Barnsley
0 - 4
Leyton Orient
-
Form Comparison - Last 6 Games
#
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Form
1
Leyton Orient
6
2
1
3
6
5
+1
7
LDWLLW
2
Barnsley
6
0
2
4
6
11
-5
2
DLLLLD
Leyton Orient - Recent Results
L0-2vs Plymouth (H)
D0-0vs Bradford (A)
W2-0vs Blackpool (H)
L0-1vs Reading (A)
L1-2vs Burton Albion (A)
W3-0vs Cambridge United (H)
Barnsley - Recent Results
D1-1vs Leicester (H)
L1-3vs Stockport County (A)
L1-2vs Cambridge United (H)
L1-2vs Luton (A)
L1-2vs Reading (A)
D1-1vs Oxford United (H)
Leyton Orient - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Barnsley - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Leyton Orient - Goals by Time Period 2026/2027
Best Scoring Period
31-45 mins
Most Vulnerable Period
46-60 mins
Barnsley - Goals by Time Period 2026/2027
Best Scoring Period
0-15 mins
Most Vulnerable Period
46-60 mins
No fixture found for Leyton Orient on Saturday 28th February 2026.
No fixture found for Barnsley on Saturday 28th February 2026.
Player to Watch: Aaron Connolly
👀 Player to Watch: Aaron Connolly (Leyton Orient)
Aaron Connolly gives Orient a focal point and a genuine threat in behind, with the former Brighton and Middlesbrough forward capable of the kind of individual moment that can win a tight home game. His ability to hold up play and bring others into the attack will be vital against a Barnsley side who like to press high, and if Orient are going to take three points this is the man most likely to be involved.
Aaron Connolly
Leyton Orient • F • 2026-2027 Season
6 apps1 goals0 assists6.53 avg rating
BTP Verdict
Barnsley’s nine-game run of over 2.5 goal matches means this has the feel of a game that won’t be quiet — but Orient at home in an early kick-off can be disciplined and hard to beat. We’re backing the sides to cancel each other out in an entertaining draw. A point each would keep Orient’s mid-table momentum ticking over while Barnsley consolidate their own position.
Prediction
Leyton Orient 1-1 Barnsley
One to Watch
Aaron Connolly
Key Battle
Happe vs Keillor-Dunn
BTP Predictions Summary
Leyton Orient vs Barnsley
1-1
Northampton Town vs Peterborough United
0-2
Doncaster Rovers vs Cardiff City
0-1
Exeter City vs Bolton Wanderers
1-1
Lincoln City vs Blackpool
2-0
Mansfield Town vs AFC Wimbledon
2-0
Port Vale vs Luton Town
0-1
Reading vs Bradford City
2-1
Rotherham United vs Plymouth Argyle
1-2
Stevenage vs Stockport County
0-1
Wigan Athletic vs Huddersfield Town
1-2
Wycombe Wanderers vs Burton Albion
2-0
Final Thoughts
Gameweek 35 shapes up as one of the most consequential of the season, with Stockport’s visit to Stevenage and Cardiff’s trip to Doncaster both carrying real weight at the top end of the table, while the Wigan-Huddersfield clash at The Brick could prove decisive in the relegation fight. Keep an eye on the Northampton-Peterborough early kick-off too — another tight local rivalry with play-off implications.
Best case for Leyton Orient: Aaron Connolly fires them into an early lead, Orient’s defensive shape holds, and they bank three points against a Barnsley side who are high on goals conceded as well as scored. A 2-1 home win would represent a real statement.
Worst case: Barnsley’s relentless goal-scoring form continues at BetWright Stadium, Orient ship two or three in what becomes another high-scoring Barnsley affair, and the O’s are left frustrated heading into March.
Check back after the weekend for our full League One Gameweek 35 review with xG analysis!
Northampton24th
Peterborough18th
Leyton Orient20th
Barnsley15th
Reading12th
Bradford4th
Wigan16th
Huddersfield9th
Rotherham23rd
Plymouth8th
Port Vale22nd
Luton7th
Doncaster14th
Cardiff2nd
Wycombe11th
Burton Albion17th
Exeter City21st
Bolton5th
Stevenage6th
Stockport County3rd
Mansfield Town10th
AFC Wimbledon19th
Lincoln1st
Blackpool13th
