Peter Enckelman, back in the starting line after displacing Tom Heaton knows it won't be asy against an impressive Reading side but they are not unbeatable.
"It's a big game for us - and a tough one, said the keeper.
"We played them not so long ago in a cracking game and it was disappointing when we couldn't win it when they went down to 10 men.
"But that says something about the ambition we've got.
"They've been bracketed as one of the top three, but that can only be proved right if they're still up there after 46 games because there's a fair few teams fighting to get up there with them and then into the top two.
"And we know it's up to us to break in there ourselves because there's no way the gap is too big.
"We're only halfway through the season and anything can happen yet.
"Yes, Reading have got some good attacking players like Kevin Doyle who was exceptional when we played them.
"And they've got other good players up there, players with Premiership experience and it shows.
"But people should be looking at us in similar terms, especially when we get Ross McCormack back and firing again."
Cardiff face Reading on Friday (Boxing Day at 3:00pm), then Plymouth come to Ninian Park on Sunday (28th) for the last game of 2008. City then have a two week league break with the FA Cup taking centre stage on January 3rd. Cardiff begin the defence of their runners up status at home to Reading of all teams.
The first league action of 2009 is at Ninian Park on January 10th when Derby are the visitors.