Derby have begun the season well, considering the myriad of financial troubles the club are currently facing.
Wayne Rooney's side sit 16th with seven points, but may see all their hard work taken away if 21 points are deducted due to a potential breach of financial fair play rules and administration.
They picked up a key point at West Brom in midweek, with Kelle Roos the standout in-between the sticks for the Rams.
Stoke were on the receiving end of a brilliant goalkeeping performance on Wednesday, with Barnsley's Brad Collins making a string of key saves as it finished 1-1.
Michael O'Neill's side have started brightly so far, sitting in fifth place with 14 points heading into this matchup.
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Team news
Derby's Craig Forsyth is still unavailable, as he serves the last match of his three-game ban for a red card against Nottingham Forest.
Festy Ebosele has recovered from a knee injury and is in Wayne Rooney's plans for the game.
Colin Kazim-Richards and Krystian Bielik remain out with long-term injuries.
For the visitors, key man Nick Powell is available for the game after a month out with a thigh injury.
The Potters will be without right-back Tommy Smith, as he serves the first of his three-game suspension after being sent off against Barnsley.
Captain Joe Allen is a doubt after picking up a toe injury in midweek.
Steven Fletcher, Morgan Fox, Tyrese Campbell and Tashan Oakley-Boothe all remain on the sidelines for Stoke.
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Predicted lineups
Derby County (3-4-1-2)
Roos; Buchanan, Jagielka, Davies; Byrne, Shinnie, Knight, Williams; Sibley; Lawrence, Jozwiak.
Stoke City (3-4-1-2)
Bursik; Ostigard, Souttar, Wilmot; Doughty, Vrancic, Sawyers, Tymon; Powell; Sima, Surridge.
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Ones to watch
Despite having not long turned 20, Sibley is into his third season as a first team player at Derby - and finds himself in a key role for the club after the mass exodus of players in the summer. Described by his manager as a "fantastic talent", his teammates will need every bit of that talent to be shown in this campaign.
Happy to play as an attacking or central midfielder, he recently earned a call-up to the England under-20 squad for his exploits with the Rams. He has already scored one goal from nine appearances this season, and will hope to add to his tally against the Potters.
Sima joined Stoke on loan from Brighton on deadline day, immediately after signing a permanent four-year deal for the Seagulls from Slavia Prague. Also 20, the striker netted 11 goals in 21 games in the Czech First League last season, with 4 more coming in 11 games the UEFA Europa League.
With huge pedigree to his name, the Senegalese international has the potential to set the Championship alight this season in a fluid, attacking Stoke side. Derby fans will hope he doesn't find his first goal for the Potters at Pride Park this weekend.
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Previous meetings
This fixture last season produced a bore 0-0 draw.
The game at the bet365 Stadium was won 1-0 by Stoke courtesy of a Jacob Brown goal.
Pride Park has not been a happy hunting ground for the Potters since relegation, with no goals and two points picked up in three visits.
Their last win at Derby came in the FA Cup fourth round in 2012, with Cameron Jerome and Robert Huth goals securing a 2-0 win.
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How to watch
The game kicks off at 3pm on Saturday September 18.
Fans based overseas will be able to watch a live stream of the game, with match passes from £10 available on Stoke's website.