League One leaders Cardiff City will look to extend their seven-match unbeaten run when they take on Barnsley at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the visitors Occupies 15th placewill be aiming for their first away league win since November.

match preview

Top-flight Cardiff have 17 wins, five losses and five draws in their 27 league games this term, putting them in a strong position to secure an immediate return.

In fact, the Bluebirds have won four and drawn three of their last seven games since losing to promotion rivals Lincoln City on December 20, leaving them five points clear at the top of the table.

Brian Barry-Murphy’s side were unable to complete their ninth successive home league win against Stockport County on Saturday, with Joel Colwill scoring his second league goal of the season in a 1-1 draw.

As a result of Colwill’s efforts, the Bluebirds have now scored in 14 consecutive games in the third tier since losing 1-0 to Bolton Wanderers in October.

Not only are they the league’s second-leading scorer with 46 goals, but they also boast a strong defense with a league-high 10 clean sheets.

Cardiff have performed well in recent meetings with the Tykes, avoiding defeat in their last nine head-to-head meetings, including three wins in their last four home meetings.

© Imago / Pro Sports Images

Barnsley have won 9, drawn 6 and lost 8 of their 23 league games, leaving them 15th in the table and just four points behind them.

The Tykes are also nine points out of the playoffs, but given the fact that they have at least three or four games left in most of the league, they may still have ambitions of finishing inside the top six.

Conor Hourihane’s side have won just one of their last six league games, but have managed to avoid defeat in their last three games in the third tier.

The Tykes beat Blackpool 2-1 after drawing 1-1 with Wigan Athletic and needed a point against Reading away on Saturday.

David McGoldrick and Adam Phillips found the back of the net to give Barnsley a 2-1 win, but Reading’s Jack Marriott scored the equalizer in the 84th minute, leaving the Tykes without an away win in five league games.

If they are to continue their wait for an away win on Tuesday, the visiting side will need to record their first head-to-head win since December 2016, when they won on a 4-3 scoreline at Cardiff City Stadium.

Cardiff City League 1 Form:

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Barnsley League 1 form:

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Barnsley form (all matches):

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team news

© Imago / Pro Sports Images

Cardiff striker Youssef Sarek was carried off on a stretcher in the draw with Stockport, but although he avoided serious injury, he is likely to miss the midweek game.

The Bluebirds will also be without Rubin Colwill and Perry Ng through injury, while David Turnbull is doubtful after missing Saturday’s game through illness.

Winger Chris Willock and striker Callum Robinson are both in contention to start in Tuesday’s home game.

Barnsley midfielder Luca Connell is set to make his first appearance since New Year’s Day after completing a three-match suspension.

If Jack Shepherd is forced to withdraw injured in Saturday’s draw with Reading, Mael de Gevigny could start.

The experienced McGoldrick has scored three goals in his last two games and will be looking to continue his form.

Cardiff City’s expected starting lineup:

trot. Ng, Osho, Chambers, Bagan. Wintle, Robertson. Tanner, J. Colwill, Willock. robinson

Barnsley’s predicted starting lineup:

Goodman. Watson, O’Connell, de Gevigny, Ogbeta. Phillips, Connell. O’Keefe, Kelly, Cleary. mcgoldrick

We say: Cardiff City 2-0 Barnsley

Cardiff came from behind to beat Barnsley and have won eight of their last nine league games, so we think the league leaders will prove too strong for Hourihane’s attack on Tuesday.

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