Countdown to Nottingham Forest v Derby County

Nov 6, 2015

It’s finally here. Nottingham Forest and Derby County will battle it out at the City Ground this evening in a tie seen as vital for the Reds’ season.

A win for Forest would see them break an eight game run without a win and revive fading hopes of building a run on the Championship play off spots.

Defeat would see Derby go top of the table, at least until Saturday evening, and there has been speculation on social media that Forest manager Dougie Freedman’s job could be in doubt.

Team News:

Both sides have got their fair share of injury problems.

Forest have been missing star striker Britt Assombalonga, club captain Chris Cohen and midfielder Andy Reid since the start of the season and will also be without Michael Mancienne and Robert Tesche for the game.

They do however have Henri Lansbury and David Vaughan returning from suspension to bolster their midfield.

Derby County announced yesterday that full-back Craig Forsyth is out of the game and much of the season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Tom Ince missed the game against QPR in midweek, but is fit to return to the Rams side although he may find his path blocked by the in-form Andreas Weimann. George Thorne is also available after serving a one-match suspension.

Form guide:

Nottingham Forest: LLDDL

Derby County: WWWDW

WATCH: What have the managers said?

Video: Dougie Freedman and Paul Clement speak ahead of the East Midlands Derby

Nottinghamshire Police have asked both sets of fans to be on their best behaviour for the game.

Earlier in the week, Chief Superintendent Mark Holland said: ““Our evidence gatherers will be on alert to record anyone looking to cause trouble.”

“We will also be supporting the clubs to identify anyone who thinks it appropriate or acceptable to chant vile and distasteful songs to opposing fans.”