Professional Development League · EnglandCardiff City U21 vs Barnsley U21 prediction & analysis
Cardiff City U21 or draw
Very strong pick · fair odds 1.23 · bookmaker 1.20 · Lost ✗
Quick tips for this match
Win chances
Most likely scores
From our goals model: Cardiff City U21 2.2 – 1.1 Barnsley U21 expected. Correct scores are long shots even at the top of this list.
Our analysis
Cardiff City U21 hold the edge on home soil with a 60% chance of winning, against 19% for Barnsley U21.
Cardiff City U21 have taken 10 points from their last 6 matches (3W 1D 2L), scoring 1.7 and conceding 2.2 per game. Barnsley U21 have 10 points from their last 6 (3W 1D 2L), averaging 2.2 scored and 2.2 conceded.
We expect around 3.3 goals (2.2 for Cardiff City U21, 1.1 for Barnsley U21). That points to an open game – over 2.5 goals is 64% likely and both teams score 63% of the time on this projection. Recent matches involving both teams have mostly gone over 2.5. Most likely scores: 2–1 (10%), 1–1 (9%), 2–0 (9%).
Our pick is Cardiff City U21 or draw at a 81% chance – the bookmaker price of 1.20 is close to our fair price of 1.23.
Every market, with fair odds
| Market | Most likely | Chance | Fair odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match result | Cardiff City U21 to win ✗ | 60% | 1.68 | 1.73 |
| Double chance | Cardiff City U21 or draw ✗ | 81% | 1.23 | 1.20 |
| Both teams to score | Both teams to score ✓ | 63% | 1.58 | 1.44 |
| Over/under 1.5 goals | Over 1.5 goals ✓ | 84% | 1.19 | – |
| Over/under 2.5 goals | Over 2.5 goals ✓ | 64% | 1.56 | 1.45 |
| Over/under 3.5 goals | Under 3.5 goals ✓ | 57% | 1.75 | 1.65 |
| Half-time result | Cardiff City U21 ahead at half-time ✗ | 45% | 2.22 | – |
| Half-time / full-time | HT Cardiff City U21 / FT Cardiff City U21 ✗ | 39% | 2.57 | – |
| Correct score | Correct score 2–1 ✗ | 10% | 10.20 | – |
Form
Cardiff City U21 – last 6
| 14 Aug | vs AFC Bournemouth U21 | 4–1 | W |
| 8 Aug | vs Fulham U21 | 0–4 | L |
| 1 Aug | @ Liverpool U21 | 4–3 | W |
| 25 Jul | @ Torquay | 0–5 | L |
| 21 Jul | @ Chelsea U21 | 0–0 | D |
| 14 Jul | @ Bath City | 2–0 | W |
Barnsley U21 – last 6
| 14 Apr | @ Sheffield Wednesday U21 | 0–4 | L |
| 10 Apr | vs Colchester United U21 | 4–0 | W |
| 7 Apr | @ Crewe Alexandra U21 | 2–5 | L |
| 3 Apr | vs Hull City U21 | 2–0 | W |
| 30 Mar | @ Swansea City U21 | 3–2 | W |
| 27 Mar | vs Sheffield United U21 | 2–2 | D |
Head to head
No previous meetings on record between Cardiff City U21 and Barnsley U21.
Professional Development League table
| # | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Bolton Wanderers Res. | 9 | +12 | 21 |
| 2 |  Fleetwood Town U21 | 9 | 0 | 19 |
| 3 |  Swansea City U21 | 10 | +5 | 18 |
| 4 |  Coventry City U21 | 9 | +4 | 14 |
| 5 |  Cardiff City U21 | 9 | +6 | 13 |
| 6 |  Sheffield United U21 | 8 | +5 | 13 |
| 7 |  Huddersfield Town U21 | 6 | +8 | 12 |
| 8 |  Bristol City U21 | 9 | +1 | 12 |
| 9 |  Peterborough United U21 | 8 | -5 | 11 |
| 10 |  Queens Park Rangers U21 | 11 | -9 | 11 |
| 11 |  Wigan Athletic U21 | 9 | -5 | 10 |
| 12 |  Colchester United U21 | 8 | -3 | 9 |
| 13 |  Charlton Athletic U21 | 9 | -3 | 9 |
| 14 |  Barnsley U21 | 8 | -7 | 8 |
| 15 |  Sheffield Wednesday U21 | 8 | -3 | 7 |
| 16 |  Millwall U21 | 6 | -2 | 6 |
| 17 |  Hull City U21 | 6 | -4 | 5 |
More Professional Development League predictions
League hubFrequently asked questions
What is the prediction for Cardiff City U21 vs Barnsley U21?
Our pick is Cardiff City U21 or draw with a 81% chance, at bookmaker odds of 1.20.
Who will win Cardiff City U21 vs Barnsley U21?
On our numbers Cardiff City U21 have a 60% chance of winning, the draw 22% and Barnsley U21 19%.
How many goals will there be in Cardiff City U21 vs Barnsley U21?
We expect about 3.3 goals. Over 2.5 goals is 64% likely and both teams score 63% of the time on our projection.
When is Cardiff City U21 vs Barnsley U21?
Cardiff City U21 vs Barnsley U21 (Professional Development League) kicks off on Tuesday 18 August 2026 at 14:00 (West Africa Time).
Analysis by the Footrivo model, blended with bookmaker prices. Kick-off times shown in your local time. Predictions are estimates, not guarantees – 18+, please bet responsibly.