Form will go out of the window when play-off rivals Leicester City and Crystal Palace lock horns at Selhurst Park today, City boss Nigel Pearson has said.
The Eagles are in danger of slipping out of the play-offs after a run of six games without a victory and five games without a goal.
City are unbeaten in their last three and are showing signs of getting back on course after a run of nine games without a win.
Tuesday's vital win over fellow play-off hopefuls Bolton pushed City back into sixth spot and there are just three points separating Nottingham Forest in eighth and Brighton in fourth.
Pearson said: "It does feel very much like a cup scenario. In terms of the games we have left they are such big games and the rewards are massive.
"It essentially becomes a three-game season and, if we can win our games, we give ourselves a crack at the play-offs. That is what we want to achieve.
"There is pressure but it is the same for everyone. We have had a really tough run and yet we are still hanging in there.
"We know we have good players and good people. It is important we back ourselves. We may have had a tough time but the pressure is on every side really.
"There aren't too many sides in this division who can afford to ease off a little. We are at the sharp end of the season and if you make mistakes they are more costly.
"We have to go out there and put in the same type of performance we have in the last three games and, hopefully, get the result as we did the other night. It is about winning."
Palace were impressive when they beat City at the King Power Stadium earlier in the season and Pearson knows they have some good players in their side.
However, he said today's game would be a different proposition. "When they came to our ground and beat us in October, they were in a good situation," he said.
"I thought they were very effective that day, but I don't think that counts for an awful lot now.
"We have got to go into this game with a positive mind-set and they will be saying the same thing.
"The rewards are there for us all. Our last three games are against sides around us and we have to try and beat them. "
