The Bluebirds missed the chance to gain promotion in midweek as they could only draw 1-1 with Huddersfield Town before Stockport County won 2-0 at Wimbledon 24 hours later.
But they could officially secure an immediate return to the Championship this weekend.
A win at Reading on Saturday will effectively clinch promotion given that they would be, at the very least, 12 points clear of Stockport who would have just four matches left to play while having a significantly inferior goal difference to Brian Barry-Murphy's side.
Similar applies to Bolton Wanderers who, at best, can only be nine points adrift of Cardiff, again, with a much worse goal difference, with three games remaining if the Bluebirds defeat the Royals.
READ MORE: Cardiff City Skipper Calum Chambers to Miss Promotion Party
With four matches left to play and others needing to be immaculate from here on in, Saturday certainly isn't a must-win for Cardiff.
That said, having had to withstand plenty of Huddersfield pressure while having goalkeeper Nathan Trott to thank for making numerous key saves against the Terriers, Barry-Murphy will be determined to see his side run the show at Reading and put on a complete performance for their travelling supporters, who make the trip east along the M4 to the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Having lost numerous first team regulars on the back of their relegation from the second tier last season, Barry-Murphy inherited a youthful and inexperienced squad upon being appointed as the club's new head coach in June 2025.
READ MORE: Nathan Trott Hailed as Cardiff City Move to Brink of Promotion
The three-year deal handed to the former Manchester City youth coach now looks like something of a masterstroke from the Cardiff hierarchy, given the work he has done in his debut campaign as boss at Cardiff City Stadium.
And while so much of the spotlight has been shone firmly on Cardiff's promotion hopes of late, Barry-Murphy was eager to reflect on the journey so far in the aftermath of the draw at Huddersfield.
READ MORE: Cardiff City Have Slowed to a Crawl . . . But They Should Still Cross the Promotion Line
"I've had the time of my life. A club of our size doing so well, backed by so many people is an incredible feeling and one that you treasure every single day," said Barry-Murphy.
"I think there would have been a lot of doubts about myself, the club [at the start of the season], I think it's easy to forget.
"The perception of the club in pre-season was of a club that wasn't very stable or wasn't very settled or didn't have a real clear identity.
"The players have transformed that, and the supporters have fuelled it with their energy."
Reading's play-off hopes have faded as a result of a run of just one win in their last five matches, although they still have an outside chance of securing a top six finish, meaning Leam Richardson's side themselves have plenty to play for this weekend.
That said, the Reading boss has come under increasing pressure of late.
It should suit Cardiff perfectly as they will undoubtedly look to pick off the Royals whenever the home side do get opportunities to push men forward.
So, it almost certainly remains a case of when, rather than if, as far as Cardiff's promotion prospects are concerned.
