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Nottingham Forest (A)

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A televised rematch at home to Manchester United will be the reward for The Ram`s if they can beat local rivals Nottingham Forest in this FA Cup Fourth round encounter at the City Ground. Their two previous clashes have both ended 1-1 so far although Derby were only denied by two controversial refereeing decisions first time out and two superb saves in the closing stages by Paul Smith in the drawn encounter that led to this replay. With a league clash also on the cards this month the intensity of this rivalry has stepped up a notch and it was certainly a full blooded cup tie at Pride Park twelve days ago.
Nigel Clough was pleased with the victory over Coventry City at the weekend although he was not getting carried away, after a superb opening 45 minutes the second half was edgy as Coventry scored from their first real opportunity in the game and the one goal lead led to some nervous moments without ever really looking like conceding. Miles Addison went off at halftime with a tight hamstring and is a doubt for tonight`s replay whilst Kris Commons also picked up a knock but he is expected to be fit to face his former side. New signing Chris Porter is ineligible to play as he was not on the books when the first clash was played so he will have to wait until Plymouth at the weekend to make his first appearance in the squad.
Nottingham Forest have turned their form around in recent weeks although they went down 2-0 to Cardiff City last time out. Billy Davies has looked to bring in some experience to add to his youthful squad but was rebuffed during the transfer window and may have to bring in a loan or two to boost his squad as they look to pull away from the relegation places. Forest have Joe Garner suspended and Rob Earnshaw and Arron Davies as doubts for this replay alongside the long term loss of Anderson who was injured in the first game at Pride Park.

Vital Quotes:

‘The first-half performance was magnificent. With slightly better finishing and that elusive bit of luck we would have been out of sight.

‘A third goal would have killed the game off and we could have got it at any point in the first half.

Nigel Clough talking to Radio Derby about the victory over Coventry City.

Nottingham Forest Team News:

Joe Garner is suspended and Rob Earnshaw could miss out with a hamstring injury, Arron Davies is also a doubt with a calf injury.

Player to watch: Nathan Tyson

His strength and pace was used to good effect in the second half of the first clash to help get Forest back in the game and he gave Albrechtsen some nervous moments and he will be looking for the cutting edge he lacked last time out.

Derby County Team News:

Miles Addison is struggling with the hamstring injury he picked up against Coventry on Saturday and Kris Commons also has a knock but should be fit to play.

Player to watch: Kris Commons

Has looked far more dangerous through the middle playing just off Hulse and the pairing have created a string of chances in the last two games, would love to score against his former side.

Match Facts & Stats

Last five results

Nottingham Forest
Charlton Athletic (A) 2-1 Tyson, Earnshaw
Plymouth Argyle (H) 2-1 Earnshaw, Anderson
Derby County (A) 1-1 Earnshaw
Sheffield Wednesday (H) 2-1 Tyson, Chambers
Cardiff City (A) 0-2

Derby County
Queens Park Rangers (H) 0-2
Manchester United (A) 2-4 Barnes 2
Nottingham Forest (H) 1-1 Hulse
Birmingham City (A) 0-1
Coventry City (H) 2-1 Hulse, Commons

Match Prediction:

Billy Davies will have his side fired up for the visit of his former side and it`s going to be another closely fought encounter but, as per the previous two encounters, Derby will have the better of this one and take it 2-1, possibly after extra time.

Next Fixtures:

7th Feb v Plymouth Argyle (Coca Cola Championship) Home Park

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