Preview:Cardiff City vs Arsenal Under-21s – prediction, team news, lineups

Although they are fourth and first respectively in Group A of the Southern Section in the 2025-26 season EFL Trophy, City of Cardiff And Arsenal The Under-21s are only separated by goals scored ahead of Tuesday’s showdown in Wales.

With just one game remaining for all teams in the group, the Gunners, Bluebirds, Exeter City and Newport County are all locked on three points and a goal difference of zero, setting the stage for a fascinating final.

Match Preview

In what is only their third EFL Trophy campaign, Cardiff – who exited the tournament in the first round in 1998-99 and lost to Bournemouth in the third round in 2002-03 – will make another fast start to the tournament if the standings are to remain the same.

However, in an incredibly tight section of Group A, the four teams are only separated by the number of goals scored, so a Cardiff side who have scored just once are behind Newport (two goals), Exeter (four) and leaders Arsenal (five goals).

The Bluebirds’ solitary effort came in their opening 1-0 win over Exeter, before being killed off by Welsh neighbors Newport by the same scoreline on matchday two – one of four defeats they have suffered in their last six matches.

Brian Barry-Murphy presided over an FA Cup first round defeat to Peterborough and more recently a 3-1 defeat to Ian Evatt’s rejuvenated Blackpool side in League 1which denied them the possibility of appearing at the top of the ranking.

However, with Cardiff only two points behind leaders Stockport County with a game in hand, they remain in control of their automatic promotion destiny and have scored the second most home goals in the Third Division this season with 16, only behind Bolton Wanderers’ 18.

While Cardiff have the best defense and worst attack in Group A, Arsenal’s Under-21s are the polar opposite, although the Gunners are currently on their way to the last 16 thanks to goals scored taking precedence over goals conceded.

Max PorterThe Newport side produced a tremendous turnaround to sink Newport 2-1 in their opening match, before the most frustrating of frustrating defeats against Exeter on day two, where they took the lead three times, let everyone slip away and then dispatched an 87th minute winner in a 4-3 defeat.

Nonetheless, Arsenal are confident that victory will see them through – however, the same is true for all four teams in the section, and the Gunners have struggled to find success of late.

Indeed, Porter’s side are now winless in four in all competitions after drawing 1-1 against Southampton in Premier League 2 on Friday, a result which left them virtually right in the middle of the table – 14th out of 29.

Charles Sagoe Jr’s goal in this match at least means the visitors have scored in all 10 of their matches in all tournaments this season – a pleasing record ahead of a first-ever meeting with the Cardiff seniors.

Cardiff City EFL Trophy form:

Cardiff City form (all competitions):

Arsenal Under-21 EFL Trophy form:

Arsenal Under-21 form (all competitions):

Team News

Cardiff have a suspension to work around on Tuesday night, as midfielder David Turnbull collected his second yellow card of the 2025-26 EFL Trophy in the defeat to Newport and is serving a one-match suspension this week as a result.

The hosts have also seen no less than four players called up to the Wales senior squad – Rubin Colwill, Joel Colwill, Ronan Kpakio and Dylan Lawlor – while Luey Giles, Dakarai Mafico, Cian Ashford and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa represent the under-21s.

Barry-Murphy will therefore be forced to make at least four changes from the team that started against Blackpool, but the former Arsenal player Calum Rooms is looking forward to facing his former team’s academy.

From former to current Gunners, Arsenal’s Under-21s will miss goalkeeper prospect Jack Porter, who is representing England at the Under-17 World Cup.

As a result, third-choice senior goalkeeper Tommy Setford is expected to line up between the posts, while defender Brayden Clarke and midfielder Demiane Augustien are also absent with the Wales Under-19s and the Netherlands Under-19s respectively.

The 15-year-old phenomenon Max Dowman wouldn’t look out of place in this match either, but he’s also trying to help England Under-19s qualify for the next Euros.

Possible Cardiff City starting XI:

Turner; Fish, Chambers, Osho, Lawlor, Bagan; Robertson, Wintle; Kellyman, Robinson, Salech

Possible Arsenal Under-21 starting line-up:

Setford; Nichols, King, Sweet, Washington; Ibrahim, Copley; Camara, Dudziak, Sagoe Jr; Thompson

We say: Cardiff City 3-1 Arsenal U21

Due to international call-ups and suspensions, Cardiff may have to field a strong-defending side on Tuesday night, or bolster their ranks with their own academy players.

However, the League One promotion contenders are still expected to prove far too much for Arsenal’s young players, who have scored nine goals in their last four games and will surely bow out of the EFL Trophy.

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