Derby County welcome Reading FC to the iPro Stadium on Tuesday night, looking to keep up the pace with table toppers Middlesbrough.
The Rams survived a late scare from League Two side Hartlepool United in the FA Cup at the weekend to secure a 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from Jacob Butterfield and Darren Bent.
They go into the game with the Berkshire side in good form - losing just twice in their last ten games.
A victory over Reading would not take them top, but would open the gap from third place Hull City, who are just one point behind them.
Reading will have to face their former hitman, Nick Blackman who is likely to make his home debut for The Rams.
The Royals earned a 2-2 draw with fellow Championship Huddersfield in the FA Cup at the weekend.
The Berkshire side’s league form has been rather rocky recently – losing seven out of their last ten games.
Football League World Writer, Ashley Williams identifies THREE things to look out for in the game.....
1) Blackman to make his Derby bow against former side
After signing for Derby on the 6th January, Blackman is set to face his first game with the Rams against his former side.
Reading will identify Blackman’s qualities and hope to prevent him from breaking their back four.
The striker has scored 13 goals in 28 games this term and could be an instant hero with the Derby fans, if he slams the Royals to a defeat.
2) Can Reading make it back-to-back wins?
2016 could be the year for Reading to change around their fortunes, as they ended the year with a sour taste in their mouth.
They picked up just two wins since the start of November that has seen them slip to 12th place, when they were orginally in the running for a play off place.
They picked up a vital 1-0 over Bristol City in their last Championship game and remain undefeated in the New Year.
The iPro will be a tough place for Reading to go, but they managed to defeat the Rams twice on their own turf last season in the Championship and the FA Cup.
3) Derby cannot afford to slip up
The fight for the automatic place is certainly between themselves and Hull City.
A victory for Reading will open up the opportunity for Hull to leapfrog Derby into second placed, as they face an inconsistent Cardiff City on Wednesday night.
The Rams face fellow promotion chasers Birmingham City and Burnley in the upcoming weeks and will need to take advantage of Reading’s slump in form.
Derby and Reading fans… What is the score going to be? Will Blackman come back to haunt Reading? Can Reading continue their bright start to the year? Let us know in your thoughts and opinions below!