Reading manager Jaap Stam told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"The (Madejski Stadium) pitch is not in a good condition. Everyone knows there's been rugby union and youth team games played on it a couple of times in recent weeks.
"These games need to be played in the stadium, but the pitch is in a very bad state to be fair.
"If you want to keep on playing well and keep on getting results, especially in how we want to play keeping possession and going forward, creating chances, it doesn't make it easy."
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock told BBC Radio Wales:
"We are quite capable of getting results everywhere, but the next five games are tough for us.
"Reading have been impressive, you just have to look at the results really and they are entertaining.
"I am looking forward to it. I have had some battles with Reading over the years and I have had some good results there really.
"It is a good stadium, they have a good owner. We would love to be in their situation in one year. That would be the aim."