Cardiff, like many sides, have had a troubled time over the last few seasons.

From the nonsense around their former manager to ownership chaos and shirt colour changes, it is starting to look up for the Bluebirds. Sitting just outside the play-off places at the moment, Cardiff have only lost two of their last ten in the league and have more momentum than several of the sides around them.

Whilst Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday have seen their form fluctuate in recent weeks, Cardiff have held their own to continue their push for a top six finish.

Vincent Tan seems to have cooled on some of his more extravagant ideas and the club has been allowed to focus on their football, rather than any colour scheme changes.

Promotion will never be as lucrative as this year and a leap up to the Premier League will provide a stepping stone for Tan to develop the club on a bigger stage once more.

Here are FIVE fixtures that will determine whether Cardiff have a play-off chance...

Tractor Boys

Saturday March 12th sees Cardiff host Ipswich and, although they've played a game more, Cardiff are level on points with the Tractor boys at the moment.

Ipswich are only behind Cardiff on goal difference and will hope to reproduce their performance that saw them win away at Huddersfield a couple of weeks back.

Derby day

Five points currently separate Cardiff from fifth placed Derby and the Rams are eyeing up one of the two automatic promotion spots.

The Paul Clement sacking has slightly improved the on-pitch performances of Derby, but Cardiff will be optimistic as they go into this one.

Clash with the leaders

Current league leaders Burnley host Cardiff on April 5th at Turf Moor.

Burnley have won their last five games in the league and only conceded three goals in the process, as the Clarets look set to return immediately to the top flight.

Andre Gray has been the shining light in the Championship this season and Cardiff must stop the forward if they are to have any chance of play-off football.

Weekend Wednesday

The penultimate day of the season sees Sheffield Wednesday face Cardiff and this could be one of the biggest fixtures in the remainder of the Championship campaign.

Wednesday are without a win in five and, unless one of these two sides drops off dramatically, this fixture will be pivotal in the race of promotion to the top flight. Cardiff, as it stands, cannot afford to lose to a side so close to them in the league.

Final day at home

Birmingham's play-off hopes, like Cardiff's, lie in the balance.

The second city desperately needs a strong side in the top half and Aston Villa's woe leaves a huge gap in the Midlands football market, could Birmingham be the side to fill the space?

One point currently separates the two sides and this final day clash in Wales could determine who gets the chance to roll in the play-off lottery.