THE Bristol City camp have happily branded Saturday’s game at Middlesbrough their ‘biggest of the season’, and are confident of bolstering their play-off hopes by severely damaging their opponents’ promotion ambitions.

The race for a top-six finish could hardly be closer, with just five points separating Derby County, who are currently sitting in fifth position, and Preston, who are down in 11th.

Middlesbrough tumbled out of the play-off places when they lost at Sheffield United on Tuesday, and at the same time, Bristol City were hauling themselves back into the mix as they claimed a crucial 3-1 win over Birmingham City.

That result ended a three-game winless run for Lee Johnson’s side, and means they will travel to Teesside on Saturday just one point behind Boro with four games to play.

Boro’s home form under Tony Pulis has been reasonably strong, with their only failure to claim all three points in their last six outings at the Riverside having come against champions-elect Wolves.

Nevertheless, Bristol City’s players are confident they will have the upper hand, with their midfielder, Marlon Pack, insisting they are the team going into the game with momentum on their side.

“It’s a crucial game,” said Pack, who was part of the Bristol City side that beat Boro at Ashton Gate in December. “We’re a point behind and with four games to go, it doesn’t get much bigger than this for us.

“It’s one we are relishing, we're looking forward to it after a win. A good performance would be great, but at this stage in the season it’s all about getting that result.

“It is (crazy how tight the table is). Teams are fighting for potentially one or two spots, so you have to take care of your own business.

“If other results go our way then that’s a bonus, but we’re firmly concentrated on getting a result at Middlesbrough.

“It would be a great statement. A lot of people would have written us off a bit after our recent form, but it’s down to us all to roll our sleeves up, go there and be counted.”

Bristol City completely outplayed Boro when Garry Monk took his side to the South-West shortly before his dismissal, but while the Robins have wobbled in the last few months, the Teessiders have successfully regrouped under Tony Pulis.

Bristol City assistant manager, Jamie McAllister, has been impressed with Pulis’ rebuilding job, and regards Adama Traore and Patrick Bamford as the two key players his side will have to neuter this weekend.

“There’s been big changes since he (Pulis) has come in,” said McAllister. “He’s made them more robust, difficult to play against and hard to beat.

“They’ve got quality players - Bamford and Traore - so there’s a real threat going forward. They basically play four centre-halves across the back, and they’ve obviously got quality in midfield.”

That midfield will have to change on Saturday, with Grant Leadbitter suspended following his dismissal at Bramall Lane.

“We think Clayton will come in,” said McAllister. “It’ll be a tough game, but it’s one where we think we can go up there and cause them problems. We’ve got a very good record up there – it’s a great place to play – and hopefully we can come out on top.”