After a superb start to the campaign, City have slipped to eighth in the Premier League after winning just two of their eight games in 2008.That has left them eight points behind fifth-placed Everton and possibly hoping either Manchester United or Chelsea win the FA Cup to extend the UEFA Cup qualification places to sixth.
Yet even so, they would still need to see off the likes of Aston Villa, Blackburn and Portsmouth, with whom they are in a tight battle, although the Intertoto Cup could also be an option.
Eriksson said: "Of course there is a lot to play for - there are 30 points to play for.
"We have the chance to play in Europe next season and I have told the players we have to do everything to try to be involved.
"That should be a big target for us. It is quite possible but it depends on us, we have to take points."
Eriksson is boosted for Saturday's trip to Reading by the availability of playmaker Elano.
The 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder hobbled off with a knee injury in the goalless draw with Wigan last weekend and missed a day's training.
Eriksson accepts, however, that his £8million star signing is now a marked man and he is struggling to make the same impression he did earlier in the campaign.
Eriksson said: "Of course, physically, he is not the strongest player in the Premier League.
"Opponents have discovered that and that makes life much more difficult for him.
"It is something he has to learn and cope with because that is the Premier League.
"I am not worried about it. He is a great player and has not lost that overnight.
"He will come back and be important for us, hopefully for the rest of the season and the seasons to come."
Elano, who also served a suspension recently, remains City's top goalscorer this season with seven.
Defender Nedum Onuoha will miss the game at the Madejski Stadium with a hamstring injury and midfielder Martin Petrov is suspended.
England defender Micah Richards is sidelined after a knee operation last week but Eriksson expects him back before the end of the season.
The Swede said: "The surgeon that operated said six weeks and we think he will be ready in six weeks."
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