Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall has insisted that Derby County are a "big threat", as the two sides prepare to meet at the City Ground this weekend.

The East Midlands derby is one of the most fiercest rivalries in the country, and a massive three points are up for grabs for both clubs this weekend for very different reasons.

Forest have made a hugely impressive start to the season under Sabri Lamouchi - the Reds currently sit fifth in the Sky Bet Championship table, sitting three points off the automatic promotion places.

Derby, meanwhile, have made a stuttering start to the campaign and are still looking to properly kickstart their season. Phillip Cocu's side have won five of their opening 15 matches, and sit four points off the play-offs in 15th place.

This isn't the first time Forest and Derby have met this season, with the Reds coming out on top in the second round of the Carabao Cup in August, winning by three goals to nil.

But with Derby undoubtedly set to play a full-strength team this weekend, speaking to Seat Pitch, Worrall said that the Rams will be a tough test for Forest.

He said: "We came out on top last time which is a testament to our strength in depth but we fully expect them to come out firing.

"There’s no doubting they’re a good side, they’ve been through a sticky stage of the season but at the end of the day, it’s a local derby. The form goes out of the window and previous results go out of the window too.

"Everyone needs to be on top of their game and that includes us. They’re a big threat but then so are we."

Forest go into this fixture on the back of defeating Luton Town 2-1 at Kenilworth Road last time out, after falling to two defeats before that.

The Verdict

It should be a really good game this weekend between two sides who are desperate to win and claim bragging rights.

Forest are definitely the stronger team on paper, in my view, and if they play to their strengths, they should brush their bitter rivals aside.

But in a local derby, anything can happen, so they need to ensure that they manage the occasion really well and treat it like any other game.

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