Match preview: Forest vs Derby in association with Football Index

8 November 2019

Check out all you need to know ahead of the big East Midlands derby at The City Ground between Nottingham Forest and Derby County in the match preview, in association with Football Index.

Nottingham Forest welcome Derby County to The City Ground on Saturday as they look to make it back to back wins and climb further up the Championship league table (kick-off 12.30pm).

This will be the second time the sides have met this season as The Reds have already picked up a memorable 3-0 victory over The Rams back in August in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

After suffering a turbulent run of results in October, Derby have settled into the new month well as they picked up a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough last Saturday. The Rams will be looking to build on that this weekend and spoil The Reds’ recent derby-day fun.

Fixture News

Matchday information: Forest vs Derby County

8 November 2019

Derby have failed to score against Forest in the sides’ last four meetings as two of the ties have ended in stalemate and the most recent two have gone in The Reds’ favour. Whereas Forest have put four past their East Midlands rivals in the past nine months and with Lewis Grabban firing home the goals this season they’ll be looking to add to their impressive tally.

Team news

Michael Dawson is available for selection having returned from his injury which has kept him sidelined, while Yohan Benalouane and Michael Hefele have both returned to training but Saturday's game will be too soon for them.

Carl Jenkinson has also stepped up his recovery, returning to the training pitch this week, with Alfa Semedo and Samba Sow still on the treatment table.

Forest thoughts

Sabri Lamouchi

Ben Watson

Head to head

	Forest wins	Draws	Derby wins
League	37	24	33
FA Cup	2	2	4
League Cup	2	0	0
Total	41	26	37

Last time out

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From the opposition

Derby County manager Phillip Cocu states that there’s ‘no better time’ for his side to begin a positive run of results on the road than against The Reds on Saturday.

He said: “It would be a great place to get a result in an away game. Our first focus was to get a win against Middlesbrough to prepare ourselves for this game.

“We knew it was an important game for us and the team, but now we know we have to get a result in an away game. It will be a tough match but a very good place to get a good result.”

Remembrance

Nottingham Forest will pay tribute to all those who lost their lives in conflict ahead of Saturday's East Midlands derby at The City Ground.

The front cover of the matchday programme (pictured below) has been specifically designed to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and a percentage of the proceeds from sales of the programme will be donated straight to the Royal British Legion.

Before kick-off there will be a performance of the Last Post from the military band while both sets of players will be sporting the poppy on the front of their shirts for the game itself.

Poppy sellers from the Royal British Legion will be based around the stadium ahead of the game, along with members of the military, so supporters are asked to give generously as we remember those who fought so bravely.

Food bank collection

Supporters can once again make a big difference by helping Hope Nottingham with their food bank collection before the game.

Based next to the Family Red Zone behind the Brian Clough Stand from 10.30am, supporters can donate items to help those in need across Nottingham. Click here for further information.

Referee

Darren England will take charge of Saturday's game, his third Forest match of the season having refereed the opening game against West Brom and the Carabao Cup tie at Arsenal.

England has officiated 12 games so far this season, including Derby's 1-1 draw with Cardiff, and has shown 21 yellow cards.

Tickets and travel

Tickets for Saturday's game have SOLD OUT. There are no further tickets available with all hospitality packages also sold out.

Making your way to The City Ground by car, bus or train? Check out our travel guide to make your journey a smooth one.

Club News

Online discount on jewellery and watches

4 November 2019

Coverage

As the match is being shown live on Sky Sports, there will be no live broadcast available on iFollow Forest. Audio commentary provided by BBC Radio Nottingham will be available, however.

There will be full coverage of the game via the club's official social media channels and in the Match Centre.

Other fixtures

To be played at 3pm on Saturday unless otherwise stated:

Barnsley vs Stoke City
Birmingham City vs Fulham
Hull City vs West Bromwich Albion
Leeds United vs Blackburn Rovers
Millwall vs Charlton Athletic
Preston North End vs Huddersfield Town
Queens Park Rangers vs Middlesbrough
Reading vs Luton Town
Sheffield Wednesday vs Swansea City
Wigan Athletic vs Brentford
Cardiff City vs Bristol City (Sunday, 12pm)

Match Reports

Forest 1-0 Derby

9 November 2019

Nottingham Forest claimed a 1-0 victory against arch rivals Derby County this afternoon thanks to Lewis Grabban’s second-half strike.

An error in the Derby defence allowed Grabban to pounce mid-way through the second period as Forest secured their second win over Derby this season and claimed a third triumph in a row.

The game started amid a raucous atmosphere at The City Ground as The Reds looked for a fast start. Tiago Silva and Sammy Ameobi saw efforts dragged wide while Ben Watson had a goalbound shot well blocked from a Derby defender.

The visitors were looking threatening on the break and it was Brice Samba who was the first keeper called into action, doing well to keep out Tom Lawrence’s shot from inside the penalty area.

It was extremely competitive, with both sides fighting for the ball and putting in committed challenges, with Jayden Bogle and Watson both shown yellow cards for fouls on halfway.

Ameobi twice forced Derby keeper Kelle Roos into action towards the end of the first half, with the Dutch stopper parrying an effort from a tight angle before a second, venomous effort was pushed away.

The second half started with The Reds firmly in the ascendency, applying plenty of pressure on the Derby goal. Several crosses were fizzed into the area, with only glancing headers from a Derby defender keeping the ball away from danger.

But just before the hour-mark Derby were their own worst enemy as a costly mistake gave Forest the lead. As they tried to pass the ball out from the back, Jayden Bogle’s stray pass played it perfectly for Grabban who gobbles those chances up for his dinner as he calmly fired past a stranded Roos.

Brice Samba got down well to save on 77 minutes as Jack Marriott had a sniff of goal, but The Reds defended resolutely to hold onto their one-goal lead and claim a brilliant victory against their arch rivals.

Forest: Samba, Cash, Figueiredo, Worrall, Ribeiro, Watson (c), Yates, Silva (Johnson 90’), Ameobi (Carvalho 72’), Lolley (Adomah 85’), Grabban

Unused subs: Muric, Mir, Robinson, Chema

Goal: Grabban 56’

Bookings: Watson 31’, Grabban 69’, Adomah 90’

Derby: Roos, Bogle, Davies (c), Clarke (Evans 15’), Lowe, Bielik, Shinnie (Waghorn 84’), Holmes (Paterson 72’), Marriott, Lawrence, Martin

Unused subs: Hamer, Wisdom, Dowell, Jozefzoon

Bookings: Bogle 28’, Bielik 60’, Lawrence 70’

Referee: Darren England

Attendance: 29,314 (1,989 away)

Ticket News

Derby clash sold out

4 November 2019

The eagerly-anticipated East Midlands derby clash at The City Ground between Nottingham Forest and Derby County has sold out.

Reds fans have snapped up all available tickets for the match on Trentside on Saturday 9th November for the second clash with The Rams this season.

Forest have already beaten their rivals, running out 3-0 winners in the Carabao Cup back in August, and Sabri Lamouchi's side will be hoping for a similar result once again to retain the Brian Clough trophy.

All hospitality packages have also sold out, meaning there is going to be a full house for the big clash on Trentside.

Tickets are available for our next home game against Cardiff City on Saturday 30th November (kick-off 3pm), with hospitality packages also available from £60 (+VAT). For more information on the packages available and to book a package, please call 0115 982 4450.