Nottingham Forest make the short trip across the A52 to take on local rivals Derby County tonight hoping to extend their recent run of form in the Championship.
The Reds enter the East Midlands derby (7.45 pm KO) with just two defeats in 10 league outings.
Losses against high-flying Swansea and Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough had positives; victories against Blackburn Rovers and Millwall – as well as a point at home to Bournemouth – meanwhile, have lifted Chris Hughton’s side 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
A 1-0 win at Rotherham in midweek – their second win of that scoreline in two consecutive matches – showed everything that Hughton has instilled in his squad since arriving in October.
The Reds left South Yorkshire with maximum points courtesy of Ryan Yates’ scrambled goal just past the hour-mark; however, it has been the improvement in defensive quality that has been the stand-out change.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Reds boss Hughton reiterated the importance of the derby fixture to the club website: “What you want is for your players to make up for that [the absence of fans] because even though the supporters won’t be present, the players know exactly what this game means to them so you want the players to put in that high level of performance that can win us the game.
“We have a group of supporters who want the bragging rights over the next few days and that doesn’t change just because they can’t be inside the ground.”
Team news
The Reds will be without central defender Scott McKenna (ankle). Lewis Grabban (hamstring) and Harry Arter (calf) are also forced to sit on the sidelines.
Hughton will be boosted by the possible return of Sammy Ameobi and Samba Sow as they recover from injuries to their knees and ankles respectively.
Manchester United loanee James Garner, who was rested for the midweek win at Rotherham United, could return to the starting 11.
Where to watch it
The hotly-anticipated East Midlands derby can be watched on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event from 7 pm tonight (February 26).
If you do not have a Sky Sports subscription, you can purchase a NOW TV Sky Sports Day Pass for £9.98.
Kick-off is at 7.45 pm.