Derby and Reading have begun the season in contrasting form, with Reading flying high in the play-offs and Derby just beginning to warm up, but they are still only in 16th.

Reading will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last season, where they got off to a similar start but failed to keep pace with the rest of the promotion challengers and they slipped down the league, finishing in a disappointing 17th position.

However, Derby had a much better season, finishing in the play-offs but they failed to get past the semi finals, a 3-0 defeat at home to Hull in the first leg cost them, despite a fantastic performance in the second leg which saw them produce a 2-0 win.

This season both teams are stronger and both are under new management: Steve McClaren is back at Derby, whilst Jaap Stam is in charge of The Royals.

Here, I will look at the best combined starting eleven from the two sides.

Ali Al Habsi

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The Reading shot stopper has been in fine form this season, producing some great saves to win Reading some vital points.

Al Habsi has great reactions, which makes him one of the best goalkeepers in the league.

He has an FA Cup medal in his collection already with Wigan and he will be looking to add another medal to his collection with Reading this season.

Al Habsi is better than the Derby goalkeeper, Scott Carson, who always seems like he has an error in him, which could cost Derby this season.

Cyrus Christie

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The Irish full back has impressed for Derby so far but he picked up a nasty injury on Saturday which will rule him out of action for up to three months.

Christie has everything the modern day full back needs: he bombs up and down the wing and he fulfils his defensive duties.

He also possesses great quality when crossing into the box, something not many full backs in the league have.

Christie just edges out Gunter in the right back position.

If Gunter could bring his form for Wales to Reading, he could be a success in the Championship.

Liam Moore

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Reading signed Moore from Premier League champions Leicester over the summer and he seems to have settled into life at the Madejski very quickly.

Moore could excel at Reading; he needs regular first team football in order to develop.

Under Stam, he has found that so far and he is beginning to show the potential everyone at Leicester knew he had.

Moore gets the nod over Derby's Richard Keogh who is alright defensively but in possession he struggles, which is why Moore goes in.

Jason Shackell

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Shackell signed for Derby from Burnley over a year ago but has struggled to really find his feet since arriving at the iPro stadium.

Shackell is a great defender and will put his body on the line for the cause, along with being a great leader at the back.

One area Shackell is poor in is when he has the ball and if he could improve this, he could be a top centre half.

Shackell beats off competition from Paul McShane and fellow Derby centre back Alex Pearce, mainly on his out and out defensive abilities - something the other two can't compete with.

Tyler Blackett

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Blackett joined the Royals in the summer from Manchester United and has excelled at left back so far this season, proving to be a key player for Reading.

Blackett has all the qualities of a top quality defender and he focuses on his defensive duties before bombing forward, giving Reading some security at the back.

He can also supplement the attack, supplying great quality into the box.

Blackett gets the nod ahead of Derby's Craig Forsyth who has never rediscovered his form of 2014 where he was regarded as one of the best left backs in the league.

Will Hughes

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Hughes came through the youth ranks at Derby and has since established himself as a first team regular for the Rams, and has attracted some interest from Premier League giants such as Liverpool in years gone by.

Hughes has all the attributes required to become a top player, not just in the Championship but the Premier League.

He can break play up in midfield, but he is probably plays his best when he is given license to go forward.

Hughes gets in ahead of George Evans who isn't quite at the same level Hughes is at just yet.

Jacob Butterfield

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Butterfield joined the Rams from Huddersfield and has been successful so far, scoring some great goals and putting in some sterling performances.

Butterfield has the potential to be a top Championship player but he will have to improve a bit more to make the step up to the Premier League.

He provides Derby with some creativity from midfield and could form a successful partnership alongside Hughes.

Butterfield gets the nod ahead Danny Williams who is also a good player but not quite as good as Butterfield just yet.

Ikechi Anya

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Anya arrived at the iPro stadium in the summer from Watford but he has yet to hit the heights that all Derby fans know he is capable of.

Anya possesses blistering pace, making him a defender’s nightmare.

He will run at a full back all game and create chances for his team mates.

Once he settles in at Derby, he will no doubt be a pivotal player for them.

Anya goes in the team in place of Callum Harriot who has done well for Reading so far this season, but lacks the same quality that Anya has.

Tom Ince

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Since leaving Blackpool, Tom Ince has had a few clubs but he now seems to have found a home at Derby and he is playing some good football.

Ince seems to have found a new role at Derby as he now players just in behind the striker and he has excelled in this position.

He is more involved in the game but he can still use his attacking flair to carve out chances for the Rams.

Ince just edges out the Reading attacking midfielder, John Swift in what was a tough decision.

Roy Beerens

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The Dutch winger has made a good impression amongst Royals fans since arriving at The Madejski Stadium in the summer and he has played a key role in Readings early season success.

Beerens plays as an out-and-out winger and loves to take his man on, which is something defenders hate playing against.

He is very skillful and can glide past defenders with ease, with a quality ball into the box at the end - something not many Championship wingers have.

Beerens just edges out Johnny Russell, largely due to his creativity and how important he is to the team.

Matej Vydra

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Vydra made the big money summer move to Derby with fans having high expectations that he would be the man to fire them to the Premier League.

So far it hasn’t worked out for him but Vydra possesses undoubted quality.

Vydra thrives off service in behind the defence for him to run onto, so he can use his pace and clever movement to unlock defences.

He is a natural goal scorer and will score many goals for Derby this year.

Vydra gets the nod ahead of Yann Kermorgant because Vydra just has a bit more to his game than Kermorgant.

 

Derby and Reading fans - do you agree with this? Who would you include? Let us know in the comments below...