Competition: Sky Bet Championship Date: Saturday 9th November 2019 Venue: City Ground Kick-off: 12:30 BST Referee: Darren England
Team News
Forest could be welcomed by the return of Michael Dawson who has been training following his recovery from a calf injury.
He may have to settle for a place on the bench but nonetheless, his return is a big boost for the Reds.
Samba Sow is still absent, whilst Alfa Semedo is also rated doubtful.
(Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Derby will make the trip along the A52 without Scott Malone who picked up an injury in Saturday’s win over Middlesbrough.
Krystian Bielik was taken off as a precaution in that game but he should start at the City Ground.
Craig Forsyth and Tom Huddlestone are long-term casualties.
Match Preview
Very few Championship fixtures encapsulate pride, passion and belief quite like a game between Forest and Derby.
Over the years the meetings between the two East Midlands giants have been full of incident and Saturday looks set to be a real barnstormer of an affair.
Forest returned to winning ways last Saturday with a 2-1 win over Luton Town and they will be in confident spirits ahead of a visit from the Rams.
Phillip Cocu’s side has epitomised inconsistency so far this season. Their win over Middlesbrough last weekend has set them up nicely for a trip to Forest on Saturday, however.
The Dutch manager has taken some time to settle into English football but he does possess a decent squad of players and on their day they will be a match for most teams in the division.
(Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi does boast a derby-day victory on his CV already. His outfit thumped the Rams 3-0 during the second round of the Carabao Cup back in August.
The Reds know that a win will cement their place in the top-six of the division going into the latest international break.
An incentive for the Rams is the chance to close the gap to Forest down to a single point with victory at the City Ground.
Likely Line-ups
Forest: (4-2-3-1): Samba; Cash, Worrall, Rodriguez, Ribeiro; Watson, Yates; Lolley, Silva, Ameobi; Grabban
Derby: (4-4-2 Diamond): Roos; Bogle, Davies, Clarke, Lowe; Bielik, Holmes, Shinnie, Lawrence; Marriott, Martin
One to watch
It’s hard to look beyond Tom Lawrence as the one who Forest must keep a really close eye on this weekend.
The Wales international signed for Derby in 2017 from Leicester costing the Rams £7 million (BBC Sport).
(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
He netted twice in last week’s win over Boro and he will fancy his chances of adding to his tally against Forest tomorrow.
Lawrence has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons and he will be set for a hostile reception at the City Ground.
He will have one eye firmly on silencing his critics tomorrow afternoon.
Tickets
Saturday’s game at the City Ground is a complete sell-out.
TV
The game is televised live on Sky Sports and the coverage will begin at midday. As always, live commentary of the game will be on BBC Radio Nottingham on frequency 103.8.