Barnsley will make the trip to Cardiff City Stadium for their League One encounter with leaders Cardiff on Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
View our free Cardiff vs Barnsley predictions below.
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Cardiff vs Barnsley predictions: Hosts to claim all the spoils
Key stats
- Cardiff won eight of their last nine League One home games.
- Barnsley are without a win in their last five away matches.
- Seven of Barnsley's last nine games went above the 2.5-goal line.
Correct score prediction: Cardiff 2-1 Barnsley
Cardiff have won 11 of their 14 home games in League One this season, averaging over two goals at this stadium. They are currently on a seven-match unbeaten run and are up against a Barnsley side that failed to win any of their last five away games across all competitions (D2, L3).
Moreover, Cardiff have a solid track record against Barnsley, with no defeats in the last nine encounters between these sides.
Keeping in mind that Barnsley lost three of their last four trips to this stadium, we are confident that Cardiff will claim all the spoils after 90 minutes.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Cardiff priced as favourites
- HOME: 3/5 (1.60) – 62.5%
- DRAW: 27/10 (3.70) – 27%
- AWAY: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Cardiff extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a 1-1 draw against Stockport County last weekend. Prior to that stalemate, they had won eight consecutive home games in League One.
On the other hand, Barnsley are coming off a 2-2 draw at Reading. Conor Hourihane’s men have not particularly enjoyed their best form of late, with only one win in their last seven matches across all competitions (D2, L4). They are 15th in League One ahead of their encounter with leaders Cardiff.
Bearing that in mind, Cardiff City are the expected winners at 3/5 (1.60). Teams with these odds usually have a 62.5% probability of winning.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Cardiff vs Barnsley predictions.
Also, keeping in mind that four of the last six H2Hs were tied at the half-time break, HT draw has an appealing look at 6/4 (2.50). That one has a 40% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: Cardiff's dominance to continue?
Cardiff have no losses in their last nine skirmishes with Barnsley, stretching back to the 2016/17 season. It is important to note, however, that this will be the first clash between these outfits since February 2022.
The reverse fixture, which was scheduled for last October, was postponed until March.
England League 1 11/10/25
Barnsley
Cardiff
England Championship 02/02/22
Barnsley
Cardiff
England Championship 07/08/21
Cardiff
Barnsley
England Championship 27/01/21
Barnsley
Cardiff
England Championship 03/11/20
Cardiff
Barnsley
Cardiff preview: Looking to return to winning ways
Cardiff City will remain without Rubin Colwill, who tore his ligaments while featuring against Northampton on 11 November last year.
Yousef Salech became a 40th-minute substitute last time out against Stockport County due to injury and will be unavailable for this game. In his absence, Callum Robinson should start as the lone forward.
Predicted lineup: Trott (GK), Ng, Osho, Chambers, Bagan, Wintle, Robertson, Tanner, Ashford J. Colwill & Robinson.
Last five matches
- Cardiff 1-1 Stockport
- Bradford 1-2 Cardiff
- Leyton Orient 1-1 Cardiff
- Cardiff 1-0 Wigan
- Wycombe 1-1 Cardiff
Barnsley preview: Shepherd questionable
Jack Shepherd is a major doubt for this game after the defender picked up a 22nd-minute injury last time out against Reading. Otherwise, the visitors are in good health.
Top scorer Davis Keillor-Dunn started from the bench last time out, and he's expected to be among the substitutes on Tuesday night, as David McGoldrick has recently been preferred in attack by coach Hourihane.
Predicted lineup: Goodman (GK), Ogbeta, O’Connell, De Gevigney, Watson, O'Keeffe, Cleary, Kelly, Bland, Phillips & McGoldrick.
Last five matches
- Reading 2-2 Barnsley
- Barnsley 2-1 Blackpool
- Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley
- Wigan 1-1 Barnsley
- Barnsley 0-2 Lincoln
Player to watch: Reyes Cleary
Reyes Cleary set up Barnsley's first goal in their 2-2 draw at Reading last weekend. The former Walsall midfielder has put in some impressive performances in recent months, with 10 goal contributions in his last 11 League One assignments. He will be called upon to provide goals on Tuesday night.