Third-placed Swindon were sent crashing out of the FA Cup last weekend courtesy of a 5-0 defeat to League Two Cheltenham Town in a game that saw Nathan Thompson dismissed 21 minutes in.
Swindon manager Mark Cooper explained afterwards that his side had "let everyone down" with their showing and Saturday's visit of neighbours and table-topping City could provide them with an ideal opportunity to bounce back.
Steve Cotterill's side are unbeaten in League One this season, though, and booked their place in the FA Cup second round with a 2-1 win at Gillingham.
Swindon's task is made harder by the absences of Australia's Massimo Luongo and Iraq's Yaser Kasim - both of whom are on international duty - although Thompson's appeal has been upheld and is available.
But Cooper will not be using the absences as an excuse, telling the Swindon Advertiser: "We have a lot of work to because we're missing key players now so we’ve got to come out with something to surprise Bristol City.
"We've let everyone down [and] we've missed an opportunity. We have to make sure we defend better [than on Saturday] and be better going forward."
Steven Pressley's men were humbled 2-1 by non-League Worcester City in the FA Cup on Sunday, with the Coventry manager threatening that certain members of his squad will be "banished" as a result.
"Make no mistake - I will not stand for that type of performance at the weekend, certain players will be gone from this football club," he said.
Elsewhere at the bottom of the table, Scunthorpe United have seen their clash with Milton Keynes Dons postponed due to international call-ups, allowing Yeovil Town and Crewe Alexandra the chance to apply pressure.
Yeovil welcome Fleetwood Town to Huish Park, as bottom side Crewe host Chesterfield with the weekend's early game seeing Colchester United travel to Barnsley on Friday.
