Aitor Karanka’s 7th place Nottingham Forest travel to the Pride Park to face Frank Lampard’s Derby County who are perched in 5th place with 37 points from 21 games. This is a game of huge significance for both teams who have aims of playing in the top division in England next season.
Karanka believes Monday night’s game with Derby will be a measure of how far his team have come since the last time both sides met. He said: "I am looking forward to it; I have heard about this game a lot of times. We played it last season but the game wasn't the same conditions for both teams. Now, it is really nice because I am really proud of the players and the way that the club is working. After just seven months, we are almost in the same position as them.”
The Spaniard lost his first league match against Derby in December 2013 but has gone unbeaten in his last 6 having won 4 and drawn 2. Forest have won 3 of their last 6 games in the Sky Bet Championship, drawn 2 and lost one. The loss came last week in a 0-1 defeat to Preston and ended their run of seven league games without defeat. They last lost back-to-back league games in April and that remains a stat Karanka will be keen to avoid on Monday. To do that, Forest will have to score a goal, something they have failed to do on their last three visits to the Pride Park.
Frank Lampard’s Derby find themselves in 5th place after the weekend fixtures. Derby have the same points as Sheffield United above them but an inferior goal difference mean they remain behind United. Derby are a very good team at home with 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses in their last 10 games at home. They have won 4 of their last 6 in the league and lost two.
Ex Chelsea player Frank Lampard may have played in many derbies, however this will be his first taste of an East Midlands Derby either as a player or manager. The 40-year doesn’t want his players to get overawed by the occasion. He said “It’s natural to have your heart in it. You should feel what the fans feel, understand how they feel, realise what it means to them when you walk down the street in the week. As a player, you must have your head because there is a discipline factor because the emotions will be high and also a tactical factor because you have a job to do so the balance has to be right.”
Frank Lampard rose to fame as a West Ham United player and was tipped to go to the very top at an early age. It was a bitter blow to West Ham Fans that he moved to arch rivals Chelsea where he enjoyed much success, including 106 appearances for England. He will have plenty of support in management should he need it, his uncle is Harry Redknapp who has managed many teams including West Ham and Tottenham to name just two.
Team News
Derby midfielder Joe Ledley who has been out with a hip injury returned to full training during the week and is available for selection. Curtis Davies has been ruled out of the season due to an achilles problem while Bradley Johnson will serve the third of his five game ban. Mason Bennett, Marcus Olsson and Craig Forsyth are ruled out however George Evans is likely to available for this derby
Michael Dawson and Danny Fox are hoping to be fit after battling hamstring and foot injuries respectively. Sam Byram and Hilal Soudani are unlikely to be available until the turn of the year with both players suffering from knee injury. Forest will be without Tobias Figueiredo who serves the last of his 3-game suspension.
Verdict
Derby can claim bragging rights having not lost to Forest in their last 5 meetings. However, Forest will take huge courage from their recent form on the road. The Tricky Trees have gone unbeaten on their last 5 travels and have only lost once in 10 games on the road. The 93rd league game between these two sides looks likely to end in a score draw.
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