Using a metadata of a layer, a prediction factor including a level of participation of the layer in a set of container images is computed. Each container image includes a corresponding set of layers and is usable to configure a container in a container-based virtualized data processing environment. Using a set of levels of participation corresponding to a set of layers, and using a condition in a prediction algorithm, a subset of layers that have to be pre-provisioned at a node is predicted. The subset of layers is adjusted, to form an adjusted subset of layers, by looking ahead at a container requirement of a workload that is planned for processing at a future time. The adjusted subset of layers is caused to be provisioned on the node prior to the future time.