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Although the Bluebirds' chances of reaching the play-offs are now slim to none, it was not too long ago that they were fearing relegation.

After seven defeats in eight games, Cardiff parted company with then-manager Neil Harris and appointed Mick McCarthy on 22 January.

Eleven unbeaten games later, including seven wins, and the Bluebirds briefly found themselves in the top six.

But one win from their past seven games has seen hopes of a play-off challenge fade, and McCarthy said in the week he would not class his spell in charge as a success.

Read more from the Cardiff boss here.

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At the other end of the table, Derby County sit one place and four points above the relegation zone - although the Rams have played two more games than Rotherham in 22nd.

The situation could could have been worse for the Pride Park outfit, but the Millers were beaten by Coventry last night.

With one win in their past 10, boss Wayne Rooney still has work to do to secure another season in the second tier.

However, the former Manchester United and England striker "believes 100%" that his side will not be relegated.

"My message to fans is don't panic, don't worry, we'll be fine," he said.

Hosts Blackburn are four points above Derby in 17th, but are on a very poor run of form, with one win in 15 games stretching back to the start of February.

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This evening's game at the Madejski Stadium sees seventh take on eighth in the Championship.

But while Cardiff City have seen their play-off hopes fade dramatically in recent weeks, Reading are still firmly in the hunt.

However, the Royals, who have occupied a top-six spot for most of the season, have dropped back into seventh and are now five points adrift of the play-offs.

With just one win in six Championship games, and teams above them going strong, tonight has a must-win feel about it for the hosts.

While Cardiff's play-off hopes under Mick McCarthy are not mathematically over, the Bluebirds boss would simply be pleased to put their poor run of form behind them with victory this evening.

Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray makes two changes from the draw at Cardiff, with Jarrad Branthwaite starting in defence instead of Darragh Lenihan and Lewis Holtby coming into midfield in place of Tom Trybull.

Nathan Byrne and Matt Clarke are back in the Derby County defence after concussion and a groin problem respectively.

Wayne Rooney's third change from the side beaten by Norwich sees Louie Sibley come in for top scorer Colin Kazim-Richards.

Blackburn: Kaminski, Nyambe, Branthwaite, Harwood-Bellis, Douglas, Travis, Holtby, Johnson, Elliott, Gallagher, Armstrong.

Subs: Pears, Bell, Bennett, Evans, Rothwell, Downing, Buckley, Dolan, Brereton.

Derby: Marshall, Byrne, Wisdom, Clarke, Forsyth, Shinnie, Bird, Jozwiak, Roberts, Lawrence, Sibley.

Subs: Roos, McDonald, Ebosele, Buchanan, Watson, Brown, Dixon, Knight, Kazim-Richards.

Reading make two changes from the side beaten 2-0 by Watford, with Omar Richards returning to replace Lewis Gibson at left back.

Top scorer Lucas Joao also returns in place of George Puscas.

Cardiff make just one change from the side held at home by Blackburn with Joe Ralls replacing Josh Murphy.

Reading: Rafael, Yiadom, Richards, Moore (c), Holmes, Rinomhota, Laurent, Ejaria, Olise, Meite, Joao.

Subs: Southwood, Esteves, Gibson, Tetek, Swift, Semedo, Aluko, Puscas, Baldock.

Cardiff: Smithies, Flint, Vaulks, Brown, Sang, Ng, Pack, Ralls, Vaulks, Wilson, Moore.

Subs: Phillips, Osei-Tutu, Murphy, Williams, Watters, Ojo, Harris, Hoilett, Colwill.

As the Championship draws to a close, every point and every game seems that little bit more important.

Tonight is no exception, with one game focusing on play-off ambitions and the other a fight against relegation.

Reading welcome Cardiff City to the Madejski Stadium, as seventh play eighth, while Derby County travel to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers in a bottom-half clash.

There's plenty at stake, so let's take a look at the teams.

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