Preview: Nottingham Forest v Derby County
- adamhigginsuk
- Sep 14, 2014
- 2 min read
CHAMPIONSHIP leaders Nottingham Forest entertain fellow promotion hopefuls Derby County on Sunday in the first east Midlands derby of the season.
Unbeaten Forest have won six of their seven games in all competitions following former player Stuart Pearce's return as manager during the summer.
Last season's play-off finalists Derby have only lost once themselves so far under Steve McClaren, who will make his first return to the City Ground since being sacked as Forest boss in October 2011.
As well as the bragging rights, the coveted Brian Clough Trophy is up for grabs and the legendary manager will be remembered on the tenth anniversary of his death by a rapturous applause from both sets of supporters in the tenth minute of the game.
Forest, who can go three points clear at the top with a win, will be keen to exact revenge for their thumping 5-0 defeat at the iPro Stadium when the fierce rivals last crossed paths back in March.
The Rams have won on two of their last three trips to Trentside but were beaten 1-0 in the corresponding fixture last season, which spelt the end of Nigel Clough's four-year stint in charge.
But Derby - who could return to the play-off places on goal difference with victory - have largely struggled to recapture the free-scoring form of last term, collecting eight points from five league outings.
McClaren bemoaned his side's lack of cutting edge in their 1-1 home draw with Ipswich before the international break but will be buoyed by key striker Chris Martin's committal to the club after the Scot agreed a three-year contract extension this week.
Meanwhile, Forest have enjoyed a fine start to the campaign with four league wins and a draw, conceding just three goals and none on home soil.
The busy month of August culminated in a narrow 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday which illustrated their defensive resolve and battling qualities rather than their ability to score goals - something big money signings Britt Assombalonga and Michail Antonio have managed straight from the off with four apiece to their name.
In front of a sell-out crowd, including 2,000 travelling Derby fans, a fiery atmosphere should fuel another explosive encounter between the sides as they both go in search of the all-important three points to boost their respective bids to reach the Premier League.
It could, therefore, be a busy afternoon for referee Paul Tierney, with the Lancashire official taking charge of this particular derby for the first time.
Recent history favours Derby, who have won four of the last six against their foes, but Forest have the upper hand overall in past meetings and on current form, not that the guide has much of a say on derby day.
Last updated: 14 September 2014 11:04am
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