We're 19 games into the Sky Bet Championship season and the East Midlands derby is finally upon us.

Quite possibly the biggest game in English football outside of the top division, with the sides sharing 2 European Cups, 3 Division One titles and 3 FA Cups between them, the game is sure to be a fiery encounter with passion shown from both sets of supporters.

Both sides go into the game in good form, with Derby winning their last five on the bounce, while Forest have turned their form around, winning their last three in a row.

The Rams come into the game having beaten strugglers Wigan 1-0 at the DW Stadium, whilst their A52 rivals defeated high flying Newcastle 2-1 at the City Ground last time out.

In the last East Midlands derby, it was Derby County who came out on top with left back Marcus Olsson's right footed finish enough to win the tie 1-0, and win back the Brian Clough Trophy.

Here, FootballLeagueWorld writer Rob Booth identifies the line-up that could beat Forest this weekend...

GK - Scott Carson

Scott Carson kept another clean sheet against Wigan on Saturday, Derby's 10th of the season, and only Brighton have kept more with twelve.

Carson is in good form and has benefited from the arrival of Steve McClaren, like many others in the Rams team.

In two appearances against Forest for Derby, the former England international has conceded just one goal, which was by Nelson Oliveira in last season's loss at the City Ground.

RB - Chris Baird

Chris Baird has been reintroduced to the Derby team since Cyrus Christie's injury at Wolves a month ago.

The 34-year-old has impressed since stepping in, proving many of his doubters wrong.

The Northern Irish international brings experience to the Rams team and in a fiery encounter such as the East Midlands derby, an experienced head may just help to secure a win.

Baird has 8 appearances under his belt for the 2016/17, and due to his decent form and Steve McClaren's lack of options in the full back department, it's likely he'll make his ninth appearance this weekend.

CB - Richard Keogh

Richard Keogh has made 19 appearances for Derby this season, and since joining Derby in 2012 he's had his fair share of drama in the East Midlands derby.

The Irishman was sent off at the City Ground in 2013, which was Nigel Clough's last game before being sacked.

However later that season he captained the side to a 5-0 win over their rivals as they earned bragging rights in the Midlands.

Keogh shows great passion for the club and will get stuck in on Sunday.

Derby fans will be hoping he can remain professional and do a job at the back to help the Rams win the game.

CB - Alex Pearce

Alex Pearce has played every match since Steve McClaren's return, and his appearance total for this season is now 14 outings in a Rams shirt.

The 28-year-old has been an improvement on Jason Shackell, who fell out of favour at the iPro Stadium due to his poor form.

Sunday will be Pearce's first East Midlands derby game, and if Derby are to win the tie, the partnership of Keogh and Pearce will be need to be as firm as it has been recently.

LB - Max Lowe

Max Lowe has hit the ground running since making his first team debut in October.

The youngster has made 6 league appearances, as well as 2 EFL Cup matches, one of which was against Liverpool.

Lowe has played well in every match he's appeared in for Derby, and has easily adapted to professional football.

The 19-year-old could miss the match this weekend through injury, however it's unknown whether the injury that ruled him out of the Wigan game will sideline him for this weekend too.

If Lowe does miss out, last season's match winner Marcus Olsson is likely to step in.

CDM - Bradley Johnson

Bradley Johnson has been in fine form for Derby, and in recent weeks has started finding the back of the net.

The 29-year-old scored last Saturday at Wigan to win the match 1-0, after bagging the winner against his former club Norwich City the week before.

Johnson has played twice before in the East Midlands derby, however last season Derby fans didn't rate him as highly as they do now, so they'll be hoping Johnson can put in another great performance this Sunday.

CM - Jacob Butterfield

Jacob Butterfield has appeared in 18 of Derby's 19 league games, including every one of McClaren's matches in charge.

Butterfield is a good creative midfielder who has improved since Steve Mac's return.

The midfielder missed Derby's win over Forest last season, however he did play in the reverse fixture earlier that season.

The former Huddersfield man is clearly a favourite of Steve McClaren, and, barring injury, is likely to continue in the line-up against the Reds at the weekend.

CM - Will Hughes

Will Hughes is a fans' favourite at the iPro Stadium, but it's fairly safe to say Nottingham Forest fans don't share the same opinion.

Hughes missed both of last season's East Midlands derbies through injury, and only played the last five minutes of the Rams' famous 5-0 win over their rivals.

The central midfielder is in good form and will play a big role in Sunday's clash with Philippe Montanier's men.

RW - Tom Ince

Tom Ince is the only player in this Derby line-up to have played for both Derby and Nottingham Forest.

Ince had a brief loan spell with Forest in 2014 where he made 6 appearances for what was then Stuart Pearce's side, but later that season he joined Derby on loan before making his move permanent that summer.

The winger has been in great form and despite not scoring in his last two matches, he did provide the cross which led to Bradley Johnson's goal that was enough to beat Wigan last weekend.