BLUEBIRDS LOOK TO GET BACK ON TRACK
- ccfcinsider
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
The Bluebirds remain on the road as they travel to Oakwell to face Conor Hourihane’s Barnsley.
The Opposition:
After a good start to the season, The Tykes hit a large dry patch, leading to a fall down the League One table. After a recent turn in form, Barnsley now find themselves back with an outside chance of the play-offs in the closing couple of months of the season.
Hourihane emphasizes a disciplined, possession-based style of play, prioritizing control of the midfield and quick transitions. He focuses on building a strong team ethos with tactical flexibility, adjusting formations to exploit the opponent's weaknesses while maintaining a solid defensive structure.
Barnsley sit twelfth ahead of kick off, and could move into tenth with victory against Cardiff City.
The Bluebirds:
City come into this one on the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat against league leaders Lincoln City.
City could disrupt Conor Hourihane's possession-based approach by using high pressing and fast transitions, disrupting the build-up play while exploiting space left open by an overcommitted midfield.
Opposition Player to Watch:
Reyes Cleary is currently enjoying his breakout season in senior football after his summer move to Barnsley. Cleary is a direct, pacey attacker who likes to run at defenders, using his strength and speed to drive into attacking spaces from the wing or across the front line. He plays a vertical style, focusing on quick carries, creating chances, and getting into goal-scoring positions rather than heavy build-up play.
The forward is a product of the West Brom Academy. Following loan spells at Walsall and Hartlepool United, Cleary completed a permanent move to The Tykes in the summer of 2025. The 21 year-old has contributed with six goals and fourteen assists in all competitions so far this seasons.
Last Meeting:
Cardiff City 4-0 Barnsley (2026)
City cruised past The Tykes in the Welsh Capital back in January. Cardiff were clinical and ruthless against a depleted Barnsley outfit.
Perry Ng opened the scoring after three minutes with a volley from inside the box. Chris Willock added a second just before the break, slotting the ball into the bottom corner form close range. Willock soon turned provider for Omari Kellyman who also finished calmly from close range, before a second of the evening for Willock wrapped up a perfect evening at the CCS.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Late decision to be made on Perry Ng. Isaak Davies, Yousef Salech and Eli King remain out injured.
Barnsley - Patrick Kelly, Josh Earl and Tawanda Chirewa out injured for the hosts.
Preferred XI:
GK - Harry Tyrer
RB - Ronan Kpakio
RCB - Calum Chambers
LCB - Dylan Lawlor
LB - Calum Scanlon
CDM - Ryan Wintle
RCM - Alex Robertson
LCM - David Turnbull
RW - Cian Ashford
LW - Chris Willock
ST - Omari Kellyman
Score Prediction:
Barnsley 1-1 Cardiff City
Barnsley will be licking their lips at the prospect of playing a wounded City who've just been rocked by Lincoln, and with the hosts in good form their tails will be up. I see this ending all square.
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