One Barnsley man was arrested in connection with a drug offence after what South Wales Police described as a "minor disturbance".
A spokesman for the force said a group of fans who had travelled from Barnsley plus Cardiff fans, were intent on fighting ahead of the match.
The incident occurred at St Mary Street in the city, which is a short distance from the Millennium Stadium.
"The majority of games this season have passed without incident and it is disappointing that a small number of hooligans from both Cardiff and Barnsley were openly seeking confrontation with one another.
"The game passed without any further incident and there were no further arrests."
The Oakwell fixture saw trouble earlier in the season when police in Barnsley had their biggest presence ever (over 300 officers) due to Cardiff's reputation.
Reds fans who made the trip to Ninian Park have reported a large number of unfamiliar faces among those inciting trouble in the ground while other unconfirmed reports suggested a number of Leeds hooligans had joined up with members of 'Five-O' - Barnsley's hooligan 'firm'.
Worryingly, reports of rascist chanting (against Sam Hamman) and 'No surrender to the IRA' songs also returned.
The police kept fans waiting inside the ground for an hour after the game while Cardiff hooligans were dispersed.