Nottingham Forest will be looking to secure their first league win of the season when they travel to fierce rivals Derby County on Saturday.

The Reds enter the game sitting bottom of the Championship, having lost all four of their opening games, and crashed out of the EFL Cup in midweek after losing 4-0 at home to Wolves.

Under-fire boss Chris Hughton wouldn't be the first to be sacked after losing this fixture. Nigel Clough lost the Derby job following a 1-0 loss at the City Ground in September 2013, and Billy Davies suffered the same fate when his Forest side lost 5-0 at Pride Park in the same season.

The Rams also exited the EFL Cup at the second-round stage after losing 2-1 at Sheffield United on Tuesday.

Wayne Rooney's side head into the game on five points and sit 14th. They are unbeaten at home this season but have not won there either, with draws against Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough so far.

  • Team news

Derby captain Tom Lawrence could be available following a groin injury but would require an injection.

Festy Ebosele, Jason Knight, Colin-Kazim Richards and Krystian Bielik remain sidelined due to their respective injuries.

Forest defenders Joe Worrall (calf) and Loic Mbe Soh (groin) returned to training this week, but this fixture may come too soon.

Jordi Osei-Tutu (hamstring) and Nuno Da Costa (groin) are still injured, while Joe Lolley misses out through illness. 

Former Rams defender Max Lowe joined the Reds on a season-long loan from Sheffield United on Friday. The 24-year-old could start despite not playing since February.

Another decision for Hughton will be whether to start Ethan Horvath in goal over Brice Samba.

  • Predicted lineups

Derby County

Roos; Byrne, Jagielka, Davies, Forsyth; Bird, Shinnie; Sibley, Morrison, Jozwiak; Baldock.

Nottingham Forest

Samba; Back, Figueiredo, McKenna, Lowe; Yates, Garner; Zinckernagel, Johnson, Mighten; Grabban.

  • Ones to watch

Tom Lawrence - Derby

With Sam Baldock out injured, Lawrence will operate in an unfamiliar false nine role. Will the Rams skipper fire his side to victory?

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James Garner - Forest

Garner made his second debut for the Reds against Wolves after re-joining on loan from Manchester United. It was his goal that gave Forest the lead against the Rams in February. Can he do the same again?

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  • Previous meetings

The last three meetings between the sides ended 1-1, and Forest are unbeaten in the previous eight. 

Derby's last victory in this fixture was at home in 2017, while Forest haven't beaten the Rams away since 2015.

Rams fans still reminisce about the 5-0 home win in 2014, which helped them somewhat forget about the 5-2 thrashing at the City Ground in 2010.

Most recent meeting:

  • How to watch

Saturday will be the first time in 985 days that fans have been at Pride Park for this game. However, if you're unable to be there, it will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football. Coverage starts at noon BST with kick-off at 12:30 BST.

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