Plymouth Argyle vs Cardiff City: match statistics
Cardiff City, as the league leaders, are showing significantly better form than Plymouth Argyle, who are in 12th place. The visitors have collected an impressive 2.6 points per match in their last five games, winning four matches, while the hosts have managed only 1.4 points. Cardiff demonstrates a considerable offensive advantage with 16 goals in their last five matches and a solid defense, conceding only 4 goals. Plymouth have a negative home goal difference (-7) and lose half of their home matches, which, combined with a mere 31% win rate, does not inspire optimism. The xG statistics also favor Cardiff (1.41 to 1.45), and the visitors' 47% away win rate along with 40% clean sheets support their victory. Plymouth's form (D, W, D, L, L) compared to Cardiff's streak (W, D, W, W, W) clearly indicates a win for the league leaders.
Plymouth Argyle vs Cardiff City: form, goals and key statistics
Game details
Plymouth Argyle played against Cardiff City in EFL League One (England). The game was played on February 21, 2026. Final score: 5:2.
Recent form
Plymouth Argyle has 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses over its last five games, averaging 1.40 points per game. Cardiff City has 4 wins, 1 draw and 0 losses, with 2.60 points per game.
Scoring records
Plymouth Argyle scores 1.38 goals per game and allows 1.47. Cardiff City scores 1.94 and allows 0.97. Games in this league average 2.58 goals.
BTTS and goal totals
Both teams score in 47% of Plymouth Argyle's games and 56% of Cardiff City's. The Over 2.5 rates are 50% and 59%, compared with league averages of 51% for BTTS and 50% for Over 2.5.
xG and shots
Cardiff City has the higher season xG average, 1.69 to 1.40 per game. Plymouth Argyle takes 12.6 shots per game, while Cardiff City takes 14.5.
First-half and second-half trends
Plymouth Argyle leads at halftime in 31% of its games and scores 0.72 goals per game after halftime. Cardiff City leads at halftime in 34% and scores 1.22 after halftime.
When the teams score
Plymouth Argyle's most productive scoring window is minutes 31-45+ (10 goals). For Cardiff City, it is minutes 46-60 (14 goals). These are past scoring patterns, not predicted goal times.
League scoring profile
League One games average 2.58 goals. Both teams score in 51% of games, and 50% finish with at least three goals.
Head-to-head record
Before this game, one previous meeting was available. The record was 0 home wins, 0 draws and 1 away win. Those games averaged 4.00 goals, with both teams scoring in 0% of them.
Archived pre-match analysis
This analysis was prepared before kick-off. The conclusions use only information available before the match and do not include the final result or post-match statistics.
General match analysis
Cardiff City, as the league leaders, are showing significantly better form than Plymouth Argyle, who are in 12th place. The visitors have collected an impressive 2.6 points per match in their last five games, winning four matches, while the hosts have managed only 1.4 points. Cardiff demonstrates a considerable offensive advantage with 16 goals in their last five matches and a solid defense, conceding only 4 goals. Plymouth have a negative home goal difference (-7) and lose half of their home matches, which, combined with a mere 31% win rate, does not inspire optimism. The xG statistics also favor Cardiff (1.41 to 1.45), and the visitors' 47% away win rate along with 40% clean sheets support their victory. Plymouth's form (D, W, D, L, L) compared to Cardiff's streak (W, D, W, W, W) clearly indicates a win for the league leaders.
View the statistical overviewStats by half
Game stats
Pre-game profile— what do the season numbers say?
This team profile combines season stats and recent form. In-game statistics appear after the final whistle.
Team stats— who is more efficient?
Compare both teams' attacking and defensive records this season.
Shooting quality
| Plymouth Argyle | Cardiff City | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy (shots on target) | 33% | 36% |
| Chance quality (xG per shot) | 0.11 | 0.12 |
| Finishing (goals per shot on target) | 0.33 | 0.37 |
xG per shot around 0.08 usually means long-range attempts; 0.15+ usually means box chances. The style label comes from possession, shot volume and conversion.
* xG (expected goals) says how many goals a team should score from its chances. If actual goals are above xG, finishing is above average; if below xG, chances are being missed.
Team form— who is in better shape?
Last five games and season record, overall, at home and away.
Cardiff City is 86% better for: last-5 form.
1.4 pts / game - Plymouth Argyle · 2.6 pts / game - Cardiff City
Goals— how do both teams score and concede?
How many goals both teams score and concede, plus how often they keep a clean sheet or fail to score.
Cardiff City is 41% better for: goals scored per game.
1.38 goals / game - Plymouth Argyle · 1.94 goals / game - Cardiff City
Cardiff City is 52% better for: goals allowed per game.
1.47 goals / game - Plymouth Argyle · 0.97 goals / game - Cardiff City
Plymouth Argyle scores in 75% of games (24 of 32 meczów), while Cardiff City keeps a clean sheet in 38% (12 of 32 meczów).
Cardiff City scores in 91% of games (29 of 32 meczów), while Plymouth Argyle keeps a clean sheet in 28% (9 of 32 meczów).
How often they score at least...
How often they concede at least...
* Statistics include both teams' home and away games this season.
Both teams scored (BTTS)— how often do both teams score?
How often games involving these teams produce goals at both ends, compared with the league average.
Goal patterns
BTTS and goal count
Goal count (Over/Under)— how often do these games cross the goal lines?
See how often games involving these teams clear each goal line, for the full game and each half.
Full game - team comparison (Over)
Over / Under - Plymouth Argyle
Over / Under - Cardiff City
1st half
2nd half
Game halves— when do the teams score more often?
How teams split performance between first and second half: goals, points, clean sheets and half-time state.
Cardiff City is 15% better for: first-half form (half-time points).
1.31 pts / game - Plymouth Argyle · 1.5 pts / game - Cardiff City
Before half-time (1st half)
After half-time (2nd half)
Plymouth Argyle - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 31% of games and wins 41%. Also wins some games without leading at halftime.
Allows 0.2 more goals per game after halftime, a sign that the defense becomes less effective later in games.
Cardiff City - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 34% of games and wins 66%. Also wins some games without leading at halftime.
Defense stays consistent across the full game.
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 1.80 | 1.40 |
| Goals scored / game | 1.4 | 0.6 |
| Goals allowed / game | 0.6 | 1.0 |
| Average goals per game | 2.0 | 1.6 |
| 1 goal | 100% | 80% |
| 2 goals | 80% | 60% |
| 3 goals | 20% | 20% |
| Clean sheet | 40% | 60% |
| No goal | 0% | 60% |
| Goal difference | +4 | -2 |
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 2.00 | 2.60 |
| Goals scored / game | 1.4 | 1.8 |
| Goals allowed / game | 0.6 | 0.2 |
| Average goals per game | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| 1 goal | 100% | 80% |
| 2 goals | 60% | 80% |
| 3 goals | 20% | 40% |
| Clean sheet | 40% | 80% |
| No goal | 20% | 20% |
| Goal difference | +4 | +8 |
* Table colors show frequency: green is common, yellow is moderate and red is rare. They are not team ratings.
Goals by minute— when do goals arrive?
The parts of a game in which both teams score and allow the most goals.
Most dangerous in minutes 31-45 (10 goals). Concedes most in 76-90 (11). Late-goal balance (76-90): -4 - late phases are a weakness.
Most dangerous in minutes 46-60 (14 goals). Concedes most in 46-60 (7). Late-goal balance (76-90): +9 - wins late phases.
* Buckets 31-45 and 76-90 include added-time goals.
Additional team indicators— what do xG, efficiency and form show?
A comparison of chance quality, results and trends from completed games this season.
Game profile
Plymouth Argyle
Cardiff City
* The estimated goal total and split, BTTS estimate, 0:0 risk and goal range use public season averages and frequencies for both teams. This is a statistical game profile, not a private model prediction or betting pick. The remaining indicators describe completed games from the season.
League context— is this a high-scoring league?
How both teams compare with league-wide averages (League One).
Teams vs league
| Plymouth Argyle | Liga | Cardiff City | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average goals per game | ▲ 2.84 | 2.58 | ▲ 2.91 |
| Both teams scored | ▼ 47% | 51% | ▲ 56% |
| Min. 3 goals (Over 2.5) | • 50% | 50% | ▲ 59% |
| Clean sheets | • 28% | 27% | ▲ 38% |
| Goal before half-time | ▲ 75% | 69% | ▲ 72% |
| Goal after half-time | ▲ 84% | 80% | • 81% |
^ green = above league average, ˇ red = below league average. This shows direction of the gap, not a team rating.
Lineups and player events
Verified starters, substitutes and recorded player events for this match.
Home team
Starting lineup
Away team
Starting lineup
Match timeline
Goals, cards and substitutions arranged in chronological order.
Referee and managers
Open their season profiles to compare match records, goals and disciplinary trends.
Referee context
See how often this referee shows cards, awards penalties and how their matches tend to finish.
Head-to-head
Record from Plymouth Argyle's perspective: 0 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss against Cardiff City. Games average 4.00 goals, and both teams scored in 0% of them.
FAQ
What was the result of Plymouth Argyle vs Cardiff City?
The EFL League One match finished Plymouth Argyle 5:2 Cardiff City. Full match statistics, the half-by-half breakdown and head-to-head are on this page.
What do the goal statistics show before Plymouth Argyle vs Cardiff City?
Plymouth Argyle score 1.38 goals per game on average and Cardiff City 1.94. The EFL League One average is 2.58 goals, with Over 2.5 landing in 50% of games. Both teams score in 47% of Plymouth Argyle's matches and 56% of Cardiff City's.
What form are Plymouth Argyle and Cardiff City in?
Over the last 5 games Plymouth Argyle have a 2-1-2 record (1.40 points per game) and Cardiff City 4-1-0 (2.60 points per game).
Where can I find a betting tip and analysis for Plymouth Argyle vs Cardiff City?
This page shows the full statistical context — form, head-to-head, goals, BTTS and Over/Under. The tip, value assessment and full reasoning are in the NoFluffPicks app.