Preview: Cardiff City vs Swindon Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Fighting for a spot in the second round of the EFL Cup, Cardiff City are set to clash with Swindon Town at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday.

The Bluebirds are unbeaten so far this season, but the Robins will be keen to build momentum after their win last time out. 

---

Match preview

Cardiff struggled throughout their 2024-25 Championship campaign, and despite sacking Omer Riza, their relegation was confirmed in April.

With former Leicester City coach Brian Barry-Murphy now at the helm, the Bluebirds have taken four points from a possible six at the start of their first League One campaign since 2003, and they will be expecting to immediately rebound back by earning promotion.

However, Barry-Murphy's side followed on from their 2-1 opening-day victory over Peterborough United by dropping two points in a 0-0 draw on the road to Port Vale, a disappointing result considering that the Valiants are a newly-promoted team.

On the other hand, that stalemate extended Cardiff's undefeated run to seven games, and with just one loss since mid-April, the club's proven resilience is sure to be a major asset in this knockout cup tie.

The Bluebirds have also won three on the bounce at home, as well as going six matches without defeat on their own turf, and their record will give fans some additional confidence ahead of Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Ian Holloway's Swindon are the clear underdogs in this clash due to their fourth-tier status, not to mention the fact that they have never beaten Cardiff before, losing four and drawing one of their previous five meetings.

The Robins enjoyed a productive pre-season that featured four wins from five, and while they were beaten 2-1 on League Two's opening matchweek, they managed to take all three points in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Cambridge United, who were demoted from League One last term.

That triumph brought Holloway's men up to 11th in the table, and they will have their sights set on bettering the 12th-placed finish they achieved in 2024-25, targeting a spot in the playoffs.

Turning their attention to the EFL Cup this week, the visitors could take heart from their travelling record that features six wins, one draw and two defeats from their last nine away games, a run that includes just one loss from their four most recent competitive clashes on the road.

Progressing in the cup could give Swindon a psychological boost ahead of their promotion charge, and knocking out a club that were playing Championship football last term could give fans some hope for 2025-26. 

Cardiff City form (all competitions):

Swindon Town form (all competitions):

---

Team News

Cardiff manager Barry-Murphy made a number of changes just beyond the hour mark against Port Vale, bringing on William Fish for centre-back Dylan Lawlor and David Turnbull for attacking midfielder Joel Colwill.

Lawlor could make the starting lineup alongside Calum Chambers and Joel Bagan in the backline on Tuesday, while Fish may join Ryan Wintle and Ronan Kpakio in the centre of the park.

Up top, Callum Robinson is likely to make the XI, supported out wide by Cian Ashford and Isaak Davies, who could come in for Ollie Tanner and Chris Willock respectively.

As for Swindon, they may be missing Finley Munroe at left wing-back after he was taken off with an injury against Cambridge, and Holloway could turn to Daniel Butterworth, who was substituted on for him on Saturday.

On the opposite flank, Joe Snowdon could be given a rest this week, with 18-year-old Botan Ameen stepping in, while midfielder Darren Oldaker could make way for Liverpool academy graduate Paul Glatzel, who would then be used as an extra man in the frontline. 

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Trott; Fish, Chambers, Bagan; Kpakio, Wintle, Turnbull; Ashford, R Colwill, Davies; Robinson

Swindon Town possible starting lineup:

Ripley; Wright, Clarke, Wilson-Brown; Snowdon, Nichols, Kilkenny, Butterwoth; Drinan, Smith, Glatzel

---

We say: Cardiff City 2-1 Swindon Town

 

Cardiff may have finished bottom of the pile in 2024-25's Championship, but they are now unbeaten across their last seven matches, highlighting their resilience.

Swindon have been capable on the road in recent months, but the Bluebirds may prove too much for them to handle on Tuesday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

---

---