They are now just one point behind the Welsh side with six left to play - and postponements earlier in the season have left them with two games in hand.
Glasgow host Benetton Treviso on Friday night, while Ospreys entertain RaboDirect PRO12 leaders Leinster, and could have possession of fourth spot before the weekend.
However, an imposing schedule for the rest of the month has left Townsend uncertain of where they will be at the beginning of May.
"It will be a challenge," he said. "Treviso are a much better team when they've got their Italian internationals back - they pushed Munster close last week.
"We have Edinburgh in the 1872 Cup to play, we have Munster and Ulster to play, huge games ahead of us.
"The momentum is there, we know we can play much better and we've got more to bring out."
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