IF Bristol City's players feel they have a point to prove against Leeds United, it is entirely understandable.

Since winning promotion back to the Championship two seasons ago, the Whites have enjoyed outrageous good fortune in games against the Robins, taking maximum points from three matches between the sides.

Although Leeds were worthy 2-0 winners at Ashton Gate last season, City had good reason to feel hard done by on their two visits to Elland Road.

City looked set to earn at least a point in November 2010 until skipper and right-back Louis Carey was injured midway through the second half. He was replaced by Nicky Hunt and the former Bolton defender was at fault for both goals as substitute Luciano Becchio came off the bench to score twice late on and seal a 3-1 win.

It was a similar story when City visited Elland Road this season, Keith Millen's men dominating proceedings, only to lose 2-1 to a last-gasp Ross McCormack strike.

Lewin Nyatanga, pictured, played at the heart of City's back-four that day and he admits: "We owe Leeds one.

"It was disappointing to play so well and still end up losing. There was a sense of disappointment and a feeling of shock in the dressing room. That is something that seems to keep happening when we play Leeds and we want to put it right."

City have good reason to approach tomorrow's Ashton Gate spat in confident mood following an upturn in fortunes at home since Derek McInnes took over in mid-October.

Having failed to win any of their opening eight home games this season, City have since beaten Burnley, Southampton, Millwall and Doncaster on home soil. And centre-back Nyatanga claims he and his team-mates now look forward to playing in front of their own fans.

"It's really important to win your home games and keep the fans happy," he said. "It was not always the case, but we now look forward to playing at home and enjoy it.

"We want teams to fear coming here and to know that, when they come to Bristol City, they are going to be happy if they get a draw.

"If we can keep our winning run going at home, it will help us move up the table and that is important in terms of the team's psychology."

He added: "A lot has changed since we lost at Leeds in September. We have shown that we can roll up our sleeves and scrap a result – and we are more likely to hold on to a lead now.

"We tended to play well and concede soft goals earlier in the season and that is now happening far less often. We've shown we have a hard edge about us and we know we can win ugly if we have to."

Injuries to Liam Fontaine and Louis Carey, who misses tomorrow's game through suspension, have given Nyatanga an opportunity to establish himself as a first-team regular this season. And the Wales international has taken his chance in impressive style.

He said: "My goal at the start of the season was to try and play in all of the games. Of course, you can never guarantee that, but there is nothing wrong with aiming for it.

"I'm delighted I've played in nearly every game and long may it continue. There are a lot of areas in which my game has improved, but the biggest factor has been the maturing process. I'm older and wiser and understand a lot more now.

"I've become physically and mentally stronger and I feel I'm now better able to cope with playing in the Championship week in and week out."