Cardiff vs Arsenal U21 Prediction: Young Gunners can stand firm

Cardiff take on Arsenal U21 at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday as Group A of the EFL Trophy Southern section reaches its conclusion (kick-off 19:45 GMT, Sky Sports+). There is all to play for as Arsenal's youngsters, Cardiff, Exeter and Newport County have each won one and lost one of their first two games.

The four teams in the section all have a goal difference of zero and Arsenal U21 are top of the group heading into matchday three by virtue of having scored the most goals.

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Team News

Cardiff midfielder David Turnbull is suspended after being booked twice in the EFL Trophy and Rubin Colwill, Dylan Lawlor, Ronan Kpakio and Joel Colwill are on international duty with Wales.

Football Odds

Ex-Arsenal defender Calum Chambers should start, but the hosts are missing Wales U21 squad members Dakarai Mafico, Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, Luey Giles and Cian Ashford.

Arsenal U21 keeper Jack Porter is playing for England at the U17 World Cup, so Tommy Setford is set to start in goal.

Charles Sagoe Jr, who has scored in the young Gunners' first two Group A matches, is available but first-team starlet Max Dowman is away with the England U19 squad.

Cardiff vs Arsenal U21 Odds

Cardiff are 4/5 favourites to beat 3/1 shots Arsenal U21, while the draw can be backed at 11/4.

The Bluebirds' first two games in Group A ended with under 1.5 goals and that outcome is priced up at 7/2.

Correct score - 1-1 @ 7/1

All four teams in Group A of the EFL Trophy Southern section have three points and an identical goal difference after two matches and another tight contest is expected when Cardiff host Arsenal U21s.

Both teams' plans have been disrupted by international call-ups and Cardiff's first two results in this competition were a 1-0 win at Exeter and a 1-0 home defeat to Newport County.

Bluebirds boss Brian Barry-Murphy has some experienced players at his disposal, including former Arsenal defender Calum Chambers and forward Callum Robinson, who scored the winner at Exeter.

But the young Gunners competed well in a 2-1 win at Newport and a 4-3 defeat against the Grecians and the 1-1 draw appeals in the correct-score market.

Today's Football Fixtures

Arsenal to be leading at half-time @ 13/5

Arsenal U21 conceded a second-minute goal at Newport before Sagoe Jr's 89th-minute strike sealed a 2-1 comeback victory.

On matchday two, Sagoe Jr gave them a 1-0 half-time lead at Exeter, who had to come from behind three times before closing out a dramatic 4-3 win.

Another fast start could be on the cards for Arsenal U21 against a Cardiff side who have failed to score a first-half goal in their first two EFL Trophy games.

The Bluebirds have found the net only once before half-time in five matches since their 1-0 defeat to Newport and they may take time to break down their more inexperienced visitors.