Cardiff v Barnsley. Match preview

Last updated : 07 December 2019 By Michael Morris

Saturday December 7th, 3:00pm.

Cardiff could welcome midfielder Joe Ralls (groin) back into the squad.

Boss Neil Harris has taken seven points from his first three games in charge of the Bluebirds and might stick with the same XI that started the 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest.

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Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber could also name an unchanged team after they ended a 17-match winless run with victory over Hull City last week.

Forward Mallik Wilks remains doubtful because of illness.

Neil Harris: (on Barnsley)

I’ve watched their last three games and they were very good. League position isn’t forced because you are where you are, but they have got a new manager in and are a dangerous side.

It’s going to be every bit as tough as Forest, Stoke and Charlton so far.

Match stats:

  • Cardiff City have lost just one of their past 10 league meetings with Barnsley (W6 D3), a 4-3 home defeat in December 2016.
  • Barnsley's last league match at the Cardiff City Stadium was in March 2018, losing on their way to being relegated that season.
  • Cardiff have won back-to-back league games, having won just one of their past seven. They last won three in a row in February/March 2018 (a run of eight).
  • Barnsley are winless in their past 16 Championship away games (D3 L13) since a 2-0 win at Birmingham in February 2018.
  • Cardiff City have had just 18 open play sequences in which they have completed 10 or more passes in the Championship this season - 23 fewer than any other team.
  • Barnsley are looking to win consecutive Championship matches for the first time since November 2017 under Paul Heckingbottom.

Match officials:

Referee: PAUL TIERNEY

Assistants: Rob Smith and Mark Pottage

Fourth Official : Richard Hulme