City currently lie fourth in the table, just a point behind Stoke and still battling for one of the two automatic promotion places.

Gary Johnson's side, which features Socceroo Nicky Carle, have won just once in their last eight matches and goalkeeper Basso knows the pressure is on with just three games remaining.

"Our club has proved so many times in the past that it can do well in big matches and against big teams. This match is no different," Basso told the club's website, www.bcfc.co.uk.

"We have the opportunity to pass them in the table and that's why this game is the most important in our season.

"We have to prepare properly and believe in ourselves, help and talk each other up for confidence ahead of this game.

"The table is tight and it will become difficult [to win promotion] for the team that doesn't win. We must win this game."

Lee Johnson and Jamie McAllister are both expected to be fit for City while Stoke striker Shola Ameobi has hamstring trouble and is rated 50-50. A similar injury keeps out defender Andy Griffin.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is refusing to under-estimate the strength of Bristol City's squad ahead of the highly important tea-time kick-off.

Pulis, who managed the Robins between July 1999 and February 2000, told the Stoke Sentinel: "Gary has enough players there to get him through a season.

"You look at who he hasn't got in the team. He paid £1million for Lee Trundle and he hasn't been in the team. Gary has built a strong squad and we know it will be a tough game.

"But I'm not concerned about Bristol, I'm more concerned about Stoke City."