There are plenty of derby encounters which invoke passionate crowds and aggressive tactics, from the North London derby in the top flight to the Old Firm up in Scotland.

The Championship is littered with games that are less renowned in national media, but often even more vitriol-filled and engrossing.

The Steel City derby for instance, or the Second City clash between Villa and Birmingham. We're spoiled for choice in the second tier and this weekend one of the most passionate of all takes place.

The East Midlands derby is so full of history, even when traced back through the years.

Brian Clough's dismissal at Derby and his success at Forest stoked the fire, but there's no love lost between the two clubs that once fought in the European Cup, but now want nothing more than a Premier League spot.

When the two clash there's often more than just pride at stake and this weekend will see one get an advantage over the other in the Championship promotion hunt. Whoever wins the game will be above the other at the end of the day. That's got to be motivation enough for any match, without the proximity.

What will Aitor Karanka be telling his players? A manager's words are often believed to be irrelevant when there's so much local pride at stake, but that is a fallacy. Their set-up and game plan will win this match, not atmosphere or passion.

Here's the three key messages he'll be drumming into his players.

They must keep their nerve, despite Derby having home advantage. After all, Pride Park is a nice stadium but it doesn't have the intimidation factor like the City Ground.

The players must keep their nerve and treat this like any other game of football.

They've got to get at Keogh, he's the weak link in the Derby back line and if they can isolate him with Lewis Grabban then they'll be able to get some joy.

Keogh has been a good player for Derby, but the time has come for him to be replaced. Forest can exploit that this weekend.

Whatever they have to do to keep Marriott out of the game, they must.

He's got eight goals in 13 games and is proving to be a top striker after his summer move. there's other threats, but Marriott is the main one.

He's a natural goal scorer and if he gets half a sniff he'll put the ball away.