First-placed City host Watford, currently third, at Ashton Gate knowing that a win would send them seven points clear of the Hornets with eight games to play.

It would be a daunting margin for Watford and fourth-placed West Brom, the other realistic candidates for automatic promotion, to make up with so few matches remaining.

Byfield, who scored a last-gasp winner in the reverse fixture at Vicarage Road in December, admits that victory tomorrow night could prove a defining moment in City's unexpected push for promotion to the Barclays Premier League.

"We know it's in our hands and if we keep winning our games we'll have a nice little celebration at the end of the season," he told www.bcfc.co.uk.

"It (the match against Watford) is absolutely massive. We have them and then they've got Stoke on Saturday - if we beat them we're on course (for promotion)."

With the second-placed Potters to visit Vicarage Road at the weekend, it promises to be a pivotal few days for Watford's season.

But manager Adrian Boothroyd, when not drawing bizarre analogies to his team's task, is confident that the experiences of the last two seasons give his players an advantage as the season nears its conclusion.

"I've always believed at this time of the season you get to see people like oranges - you squeeze them and some of them tend to capitulate," he told www.watfordfc.co.uk.

"Thankfully we've been here before in high-pressure situations and I think that will stand us in good stead.

"We are becoming difficult to beat again and when you come to the last 10 games that's what you want, because we've got players who will score goals.

"We know where we're going, we know what we're doing, and I think we're in a very strong position."

Boothroyd believes City counterpart Gary Johnson deserves great credit for masterminding the Robins' ascent of the table.

"Gary's done a great job down there. I have a great deal of respect for him because he's turned that club around," he added.

"The momentum's with him, he's bought wisely and he's up there as a candidate for manager of the year with the resources he's got."

With West Brom not playing until Wednesday, when they host Crystal Palace, Stoke will hope to take advantage of any slip-ups when they travel to face Norwich at Carrow Road.

Charlton, who retain an outside hope of automatic promotion, need to win at Burnley, while Ipswich would boost their play-off hopes with a win at FA Cup semi-finalists Barnsley.

At the foot of the table, bottom-placed Colchester must beat relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday at Layer Road and Scunthorpe are in dire need of a win when Plymouth visit.

Neither Leicester nor Southampton - two and three points above the drop zone respectively - can afford to lose their clash at St Mary's.

Preston, who host Wolves, and Coventry, who visit Sheffield United, could continue their climb away from trouble, while QPR's home clash with Blackpool completes tomorrow's fixtures.

Wednesday also sees play-off hopefuls Hull take on cup heroes Cardiff at Ninian Park.