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
Key match information
Plymouth Argyle played Cardiff City in EFL League One (England). The match was played on 21 February 2026. Final score: 5:2.
Current form
Plymouth Argyle: 2-1-2, 1.40 points/match. Cardiff City: 4-1-0, 2.60 points/match.
Goal statistics
Plymouth Argyle scores 1.38 and concedes 1.47 goals per match. Cardiff City scores 1.94 and concedes 0.97. League average: 2.58 goals.
BTTS / Over / Under
BTTS: Plymouth Argyle 47%, Cardiff City 56%. Over 2.5: Plymouth Argyle 50%, Cardiff City 59%. League level: BTTS 51%, Over 2.5 50%.
xG, shots and style
Cardiff City has higher xG: 1.69 vs 1.40. Plymouth Argyle: 12.6 shots per match, Cardiff City: 14.5.
Match halves
Plymouth Argyle: half-time lead 31%, second-half goals 0.72. Cardiff City: half-time lead 34%, second-half goals 1.22.
Goals by minute
Plymouth Argyle: 31-45+ (10 goals). Cardiff City: 46-60 (14 goals). This is historical distribution, not a predicted goal minute.
League context
League One: 2.58 goals per match, BTTS 51%, Over 2.5 50%.
Head-to-head
Before this fixture, 1 previous H2H matches were available: 0-0-1. Average goals 4.00, BTTS 0%.
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 overviewHalf-by-half
Match statistics
Pre-match profile— what do the season numbers say?
This is a team profile based on season data and form. Match-flow statistics are shown only after the fixture is played.
Team stats— who is more efficient?
Attack and defence comparison for both teams in the current 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 matches and season record, overall and split by home and away matches.
Cardiff City is 86% better for: last-5 form.
1.4 pts / match - Plymouth Argyle · 2.6 pts / match - 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 match.
1.38 goals / match - Plymouth Argyle · 1.94 goals / match - Cardiff City
Cardiff City is 52% better for: goals conceded per match.
1.47 goals / match - Plymouth Argyle · 0.97 goals / match - Cardiff City
Plymouth Argyle scores in 75% of matches (24 of 32 matches), while Cardiff City keeps a clean sheet in 38% (12 of 32 matches).
Cardiff City scores in 91% of matches (29 of 32 matches), while Plymouth Argyle keeps a clean sheet in 28% (9 of 32 matches).
How often they score at least...
How often they concede at least...
* Statistics include both teams' home and away matches in the current season.
Both teams scored (BTTS)— how often do both teams score?
How often both teams' matches have goals on both sides, compared with the league average.
Goal patterns
BTTS and goal count
Goal count (Over/Under)— how often do these matches cross the goal lines?
How often matches involving these teams clear goal thresholds, in the full match and in each half.
Full match - team comparison (Over)
Over / Under - Plymouth Argyle
Over / Under - Cardiff City
1st half
2nd half
Match 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 / match - Plymouth Argyle · 1.5 pts / match - Cardiff City
Before half-time (1st half)
After half-time (2nd half)
Plymouth Argyle - second-half results
Leads at half-time in 31% of matches and wins 41%. Also wins matches without a half-time lead.
Concedes 0.2 more goals per match after half-time - defensive level drops in the second half.
Cardiff City - second-half results
Leads at half-time in 34% of matches and wins 66%. Also wins matches without a half-time lead.
Defence stays stable across the full match.
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per match | 1.80 | 1.40 |
| Goals scored / match | 1.4 | 0.6 |
| Goals conceded / match | 0.6 | 1.0 |
| Average goals in match | 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 match | 2.00 | 2.60 |
| Goals scored / match | 1.4 | 1.8 |
| Goals conceded / match | 0.6 | 0.2 |
| Average goals in match | 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 |
* Colours in tables show event frequency: green is common, yellow is moderate, red is rare. It is frequency, not a team rating.
Goals by minute— when do goals arrive?
Match phases in which both teams most often score and concede.
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 based on completed matches from the current season.
Match profile
Plymouth Argyle
Cardiff City
* The estimated goal total and split, BTTS estimate, 0:0 risk and goal range are calculated from public season averages and frequencies for both teams. This is a statistical match profile, not a private model prediction or betting pick. The remaining indicators describe completed matches 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 in match | ▲ 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
Previous meeting: Plymouth Argyle 0 - 0 - 1 Cardiff City. Average goals 4.00, both teams scored in 0% matches.
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.