Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says that next week's game with Sunderland is a 'proper cup final'[GETTY]Premier League survival and the guarantee of £40million for another season in the top flight will be at stake at the Stadium of Light.
With just a point separating the bottom three teams and three games remaining, it is as near to a knockout tie as possible in the league.
The winner will live to fight another day. The loser may as well pack up and start planning for life in the Championship.
Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is well aware of the scale of their next game after a point against Stoke kept alive their hopes of avoiding the drop.
He said: "Sunderland is going to be a proper cup final. It will mean the same for both sides.
"This [Saturday's] game didn't really matter for Stoke, apart from their pride and professional attitude. But next weekend will be the same mental test for both teams.
"It will probably determine what happens with relegation. Other results will also effect it but it will be a massive game for us and we will prepare as if it's the last game we will ever play."
David Marshall was awarded the man of the match for his outstanding performance [GETTY]Sunderland is going to be a proper cup final. It will mean the same for both sides
Solskjaer believes 36 points will be enough for Cardiff to survive their first season in the Premier League. That means he needs two more wins from Sunderland, Newcastle or Chelsea.
Having beaten Southampton, they recovered from the deep sense of injustice they felt over Marko Arnautovic's penalty to win a spot-kick of their own, that Peter Whittingham thumped home. Though it still took more heroics from goalkeeper David Marshall to secure the point.
Solskjaer said: "My players have been fantastic. They came through adversity again after feeling so hard done by with the penalty on half-time.
"I didn't have to say a lot because there are leaders and a unity within the group. I just stepped back and let them get on with it."
Peter Odemwingie won the penalty that put the Potters ahead [GETTY]Mark Hughes remains on course to lead Stoke to their best Premier League finish, if they can hold on to 10th spot.
And they could have a say in relegation with games against Fulham and West Brom after Tottenham this week. Captain Ryan Shawcross said: "We're desperate to finish in the top 10 and I'm confident of doing that.
"The manager keeps harping on about how desperate he is to finish in the top 10 and the club is desperate because you get more money the higher you finish.
"The football style is totally different under the new manager. We're playing more fluid football and creating chances so we have a great chance of getting 50 points."
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