I think it's fair to say that Derby will go into the game as underdogs and the Forest fans are at the moment the more confident of the two sets of fans. I myself, am never confident ahead of this fuxture.
I remember as a young boy winning 2-0 at their place and then waiting over thirty years to see us take all the points in the away fixture again. The pendulum does continue to swing one way and then the other in this fixture.
The rivalry has intensified during the last ten years or so. Sometimes it has gotten rather ridiculous with even the players letting passion take control of their senses. The rivalry between these two big clubs is second to none!
This fixture divides families and friends alike. However, although the rivalry is fierce, if you look carefully, you can spot supporters of both sides walking to the game having a bit of pre-match banter. This is how it should be. Both clubs are better supported than half of the premier leagues teams and hopefully in the not to distant future, thus will be a Premier League fuxture.
Apart from families who have connections with both clubs, there is quite a long list of players who have worn both the white of Derby and Red of Forest. Forest's current playing staff includes, Lee Camp, Marcus Tudgay, Daniel Ayala and Dexter Blackstock who have pulled on the Derby shirt, whilst the Rams Nathan Tyson and Keiron Freeman used to wear the Red of Nottingham.
Marcus Tudgay has the rare distinction of having scored for both sides in this fixture. Along with Dean Saunders he is one of very few players to achieve that feat.
Lee Camp spent his boyhood watching Derby with his father Michael, yet the currently injured Rams captain Shaun Barker was a Reds fan as a young lad. Jake Buxton who is currently the wearer of Barker's number five shirt comes from a family of Forest fans and will no doubt be hoping to silence them again on Sunday.
My highs from this fixture over the last 42 years has been -
The game in which a relegation bound Derby side destroyed the then European Champions 4-1
The Great FA Cup replay comeback in which Kris Commons scored the winner.
The second win in just over a fortnight after the cup game where Forest simply weren't at the races.
The 4-2 win in the famous Coffee Cup game
The 2-1 win with ten men last season.
There's been a few nightmares too
Getting thrashed 5-2 a couple of seasons ago is my all time worst memory and the most frustrating was when we were cheated out of two goals by referee Stuart Atwell.
Whatever the result is on Sunday, lets hope for a good competitive game that does the East Midlands proud!
Below are a few of the players who have worn both shirts. How many can you name.
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