Nahki Wells hope Bristol City can capitalise on home advantage when they host Sheffield United in the first leg of the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final tonight.

The 34-year-old Bermudian expressed optimism over his side’s chances of coming away with a favourable result in their first play-off appearance in 17 years, but concedes the task will not be easy against opponents attempting to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

“This is what we have been striving for, to get into the play-offs and try and go all the way,” Wells told The Royal Gazette.

“We are at home and we have done really well here all season but we are obviously up against the best team in the division outside of the two promoted teams. We are up against it in terms of the opposition, but we’ve done well in our two fixtures against them.”

City battled to a goalless draw in the first league meeting between the two teams at Brammall Lane this season and then drew 2-2 in the second game at home.

The Robins are unbeaten in their previous eight home games, with their last defeat at Ashton Gate coming against Swansea City on February 9, and Wells has drawn confidence from the previous meetings between the two teams.

“We should have beaten them at home, and we drew with them away and thoroughly deserved the point, so we’ve had two evenly matched games,” Wells said.

“Obviously it’s home and away, so we have to be the better side over two legs. Starting tomorrow we will try to get our foot in the door with a positive result and take a good result to Sheffield United away on Monday to see where it gets us.

“I’ve been here before, it’s tough and never gets easier. These games are so tight so let’s just hope we play to our best abilities and if we can limit Sheffield then we will have a right chance. We are all positive and grateful to be in this position, and just looking to relish this moment.

“We have an inexperienced squad and there is internal pressure but externally the pressure will be on them because they are expected to be the side that goes up.

“They are a great club who have had lots of success in the Premier League over the last six or seven years, so we’ll just go out, do our best and see where that gets us.

“Hopefully it will be third time for lucky for me getting to Wembley through the play-off. But one game at a time, and tomorrow’s match has mine and the club’s focus.”

Liam Manning’s team went into their final match of the regular season at home to struggling Preston North End knowing that victory would guarantee them a play-off place, but had to rely on other results to go their way after coming from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw.

“It was a real whirlwind of emotions knowing it was out of our hands and other results could have an impact whether we did it or not,” Wells said.

“It was a mad day but thoroughly happy how it all went because that’s 46 games of hard work to get us in that position.

“It genuinely didn’t matter how it happened. It was just about getting in and trying to achieve something great, which is trying to get this club to where it’s never been.

“An amazing day for everyone, in relation to the city and to the football club, and now it’s on to the play-off.”