Nottingham Forest will make the trip to Pride Park on Monday night as they face off against arch-rivals Derby County in the first East Midlands derby of the season.
The Reds saw their seven-game unbeaten run in the EFL Championship come to an end last weekend when they were beaten 1-0 by Preston North End. Both sides are in the Championship promotion race, with just three points and three places separating the two clubs in the table. Having lost on their last three visits to Pride Park, Aitor Karanka’s side will be eager to get one over against their bitter rivals;
Nottingham Forest have been hit with injury problems in defence, with Michael Dawson, Danny Fox unlikely to be involved, while Tobias Figueiredo is suspended. Sam Byram is a long-term absentee.
Here’s how Karanka might set his team up in the derby;
The former Manchester City goalkeeper has established himself as the undisputed first-choice since joining the Reds in the summer. Definite starter.
At right-back, the 27-year-old Tendayi Darikwa should feature from the get-go against the Rams ahead of Saidy Janko.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back is set to make his third start in a row for Aitor Karanka’s side on Monday night.
Given the number of absentees in defence for Forest, left-back Jack Robinson will once again be forced to start at the heart of the defence like he did last weekend.
The talented 24-year-old should once again feature as the left-back for Karanka’s team, with Robinson moving into the centre-back role.
The 33-year-0ld wasn’t part of the starting XI in the defeat to Preston North End last time out. Should start in the middle, replacing Claudio Yacob.
The former Newcastle United midfielder has become a key member of the team since arriving on loan in the summer. Should hold on to his spot as the second pivot.
The 21-year-old Englishman has scored five and set up one goal across all competitions this term. Should hold on to his spot on the right flank.
With 3 goals and 6 assists to his name in the Championship so far, the Portuguese midfielder is the creative hub of this Nottingham Forest side. A certain starter in the No.10 role.
The former Huddersfield Town man has been a consistent source of goals for the Reds this term, having scored 7 times already, while chalking up 7 assists as well. Should feature from kick off on the left.
The summer signing is the leading goalscorer in the English second division with 14 goals against his name. Guaranteed starter at the tip of the attack.
