A win over the Bluebirds, though, would move them straight back up to fourth – ahead of Ipswich on goal difference and United by two points.
The Easter weekend had been an anxious time for Paul Jewell's side, with their two games spread four days apart.
All the other play-off hopefuls played on Saturday and again yesterday, giving them the opportunity to forge ahead.
But in general, results went Latics' way, enabling them to remain in the top six.
Assistant manager Chris Hutchings said: "We expected there to be one or two changes in league positions and that has happened.
"It's very topsy-turvy up there, and with results as they were, everyone right down to ninth or tenth will still fancy their chances.
"Look at Crystal Palace for example. They got a great win over West Ham yesterday and beat Cardiff on Saturday.
"If they can get a run together, they have a chance, and remember we go there this weekend. Who gets a play-off place is going to go down to the last game of the season at this rate, and it's up to us to make sure we're in there."
Latics return to the JJB tonight (kick-off 8pm) after two long away trips to Gillingham and Norwich in the space of three days.
They had a mixed bag of results, beating the Gills 3-0 a week ago, before going down to a 2-0 defeat at the leaders on Good Friday. The side beaten by Norwich is likely to get the chance to redeem itself tonight.
While Gary Teale returned to the bench and impressed as a second half substitute, he's still short of full match fitness.
So Jewell is set to stick with Andy Liddell on the right wing and have Teale ready for a short stint of action if needed.
Hutchings said: "Tealely had a good half hour run at Norwich and that will have been good for him.
"But he only starting joining in training last week after a long spell on the sidelines and hasn't even had a reserve game. We took a bit of a gamble putting him on the bench, he gave us another option, and I would think it'll be the same for the Cardiff game."
Cardiff's chances of making the top six are remote following Saturday's defeat to Palace.
But Hutchings is wary of the threat the Welsh side will pose.
He said: "When a team has a player of Robert Earnshaw's ability up front, they're always going to be a threat.
"Who they play alongside him remains to be seen, but they have options in Gavin Gordon, Alan Lee and Andy Campbell who are good players.
"They're a good side and I'm sure privately, they haven't given up of the play-offs."
Source: Wigan Evening Post.