Cardiff are one win away from sealing automatic promotion back to the Premier League. The Bluebirds go into the Championship's final day of the season just one point ahead of third place Fulham.
Anything short of a win could see the West London side usurp their rivals. Therefore, it is paramount that Neil Warnock's team win against Reading on Sunday.
Although Cardiff go into the fixture as the heavy favourites, Reading have everything to gain with a win or draw at the weekend. The Royal Blues are just two points ahead of the relegation zone. A draw would ensure the team stay in the Championship for next season as Burton could overtake Reading with a win against Preston.
Reading were able to take points off of Cardiff when the two clubs met in December. The match ended 2-2, but Reading were the better side for much of the fixture. Cardiff scored twice in the final seven minutes to rescue a point. Without that point, the Bluebirds would be third in the Championship behind Fulham due to goal difference.
Warnock's side will have the fortune of playing Reading at Cardiff City Stadium. The club has recorded the second-best points total in the Championship at home.
Cardiff have registered 51 of a possible 66 points, losing just three times in front of their home support. Making the Bluebirds' attempt for automatic promotion look likely is Reading's away form. The Royal Blues have lost five straight away matches by a combined score of 13-2. Paul Clement has been unable to turn the tide since arriving at the club on March 23rd. The manager was hired following his sacking at Swansea.
Reading's away form hasn't been the only problem as the club lost in shambolic style last weekend at home, 4-0, to Ipswich. The loss has been called the worst performance by a modern Reading team as the players allowed an Ipswich side with nothing to play for to walk all over them. Reading somehow manage 1.1 goals per game, but the side has only scored four times since Clement took over. That is a run of seven matches.
Cardiff should have little difficulty in defeating Reading on Sunday. The team's direct style of play and ability to devastate opponents will overwhelm Reading. The Bluebirds may only average 1.5 goals per match, but the team should be able to find the back of the net in a must-win match against a relegation-threatened team. Reading have conceded the fourth most goals this term (70) and Warnock's men will take advantage of their ineptitude at defending.