Reading will go into their match against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat on Saturday as the envy of numerous teams in the Championship table.
The Royals currently occupy the coveted final playoff spot, although it is by no means a done deal just yet, with as many as five teams still capable of displacing them in the top six.
However, victory on Saturday would at least end the hopes of Blackburn Rovers and Bournemouth and could even secure Reading a playoff spot if results elsewhere were to fall fortuitously for them.
No team has made sixth place their own in the latter stages of the season, however, and it is imperative for Nigel Adkins's side that they build upon their 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
That was a timely three points for the Royals, ending a three-match winless streak and a run of just one victory in six games. Had the other contenders not been in similarly stuttering form, Reading could have already found themselves out of the race.
There are not only still in it, however, they are in the driving seat and know that a perfect end to the season would be enough for them to join Derby County, Queens Park Rangers and most likely Wigan Athletic.
However, they have lost their last two away matches to end a run of six games without defeat on the road, conceding six goals and scoring just the one in the process.
They will need to improve that if they are to beat Doncaster, and Adkins could name an attacking lineup in his attempts to do so. Adam le Fondre, Hal Robson-Kanu and Pavel Pogrebnyak are all in line to start, but Danny Guthrie and Jem Karacan are expected to miss the rest of the season.
While Reading are fighting to escape the division, Doncaster are bidding to stay in it as one of seven teams embroiled in a fascinating relegation battle.
One of the bottom three spots could be sewn up by the time they start on Saturday, with Yeovil Town needing a win away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday to cling on to the mathematical - if not realistic - possibility of staying up.
It is Blackpool in 22nd who represent the biggest threat to Doncaster, however, with just two points separating the Seasiders from the four teams just above the dotted line.
Paul Dickov's side go into the game in worrying form as well, with Monday's goalless draw against fellow strugglers Millwall handing them their only point from the last 15 available.
Their home form since the turn of the year appeared to have staved off the threat of relegation, but it proved to only be a temporary reprieve and three defeats at the Keepmoat on the bounce have plunged them right back into danger.
However, they have received good news this week with Abdoulaye Meite's red card being overturned, while Billy Sharp could also be fit enough to feature once again.
Recent form
Doncaster: WLLLLD
Reading: DWLDLW
Possible starting lineups
Doncaster: Johnstone; Quinn, McCombe, Tamas, Stevens; Coppinger, Keegan, Furman, Cotterill; Sharp, Brown
Reading: McCarthy; Gunter, Pearce, Morrison, Obita; Robson-Kanu, McAnuff, Williams; Le Fondre, McCleary; Pogrebnyak
Sports Mole says: 1-2
Barney Corkhill
