With the January transfer window providing both teams with much needed additions for their respective season objectives, this fixture will provide the first opportunity for them to showcase their skills in what could be a close encounter.
The hosts Norwich City, under the stewardship of 35-year-old Dane Johannes Hoff Thorup, will be looking to continue their good run of form at Carrow Road, with the hosts currently in eighth place in the league, only two points from the coveted play-off places.
Speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow's afternoon clash, Thorup was clear on how his side can be caught out by the outsiders:
"We've seen it so many times this season. It's going to be another difficult game tomorrow. On paper, we are favourites but if we don't bring the effort then it's even. 100% concentration and we have to do everything at our best."
Earlier in the season, the Canaries edged out a 3-2 win at Pride Park courtesy of a Borja Sainz hat-trick, but the young Spaniard will remain unavailable for tomorrow's fixture, serving his sixth and final game suspension for spitting at an opposition player.
The visitors Derby County will no longer have Paul Warne in the dugout, with the 51-year-old Englishman, a local of Norwich, having been dismissed earlier this afternoon following seven back-to-back league losses. The club have named first team coach Matt Hamshaw as their interim head coach for the match tomorrow, under the support of the remaining backroom staff.
Team news
Hoff Thorup confirmed to the media that Czech winger Matej Jurasek, who signed for Norwich in the January window, will be available and a part of the matchday squad, after arriving in England on Tuesday.
Anis Ben Slimane, who completed a permanent transfer to NR1 from Sheffield United in January for £1.2 million, and Chilean star player Marcelino Nunez are both available for selection after recent injuries, but with a Tuesday night fixture also on the horizon, rotational options might be utilised.
For the visitors, Corey Blackett-Taylor, Kane Wilson and Dajaune Brown have all been ruled out with hamstring problems, and will not be available for selection for the trip to Carrow Road.
Australian defender Callum Eder, who missed out against Sheffield United with a hamstring injury, is also unlikely to feature against the Canaries, and with Eiran Cashin completing a transfer to Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion, it leaves the Rams short at the back for a tough fixture.
Likely lineups
Norwich City:
Gunn; Fisher, Duffy, Doyle, Chrisene; Wright, McLean; Schwartau, Marcondes, Dobbin; Sargent (Likely formation: 4-2-3-1)
Derby County:
Zetterstrom; Langas, Clarke, Forsyth; Nyambe, Goudmijn, Adams, Osborn; Barkhuizen, Yates, Salvesen (Likely formation: 5-3-2)
Key players
The return of the 24-year-old American talisman for the Canaries has been long overdue, after a three-month spell on the sidelines following knee surgery. Sargent made an instant impact in his return to the starting XI, scoring three goals in his last two appearances, including scoring the first two goals in a 5-1 thrashing against Swansea City.
Despite reported interest from Southampton during the transfer window, Sargent remained with the Norfolk-based club, and has continually impressed with his performances on the pitch, vastly improving Norwich's lethality in front of goal.
Averaging a rating of 7.29 on FotMob, and ranking in the top 5% of forwards in the EFL Championship for expected goals (xG), the Rams will be looking for an effective strategy to neutralise the threat the American forward poses.
Having now played for the Rams for a year, the 29-year-old Gambian midfielder has played in 28 league fixtures for the visitors, and his versatility playing as a number 10 or being utilised in the defensive midfield position has made him a versatile addition to the Derby squad.
Scoring four goals this season, Adams is one for the Canaries backline to keep a close eye on, with the Gambian not shy of shooting from range, ranking in the top 30% for midfielders for shooting attempts, and despite only being 1.78 metres tall, the midfielder ranks in the top 16% of midfielders for aerial duels won.
Averaging a rating of 7.39 on FotMob and in the top 2% of midfielders for defensive duties, Adams poses a threat on the counter-attack and a challenging opponent to beat in the middle of the field, and may prove crucial in tomorrow's clash if Derby can hold off the Norwich attack.
Match details
Where is the game being played?
The game will be played at Carrow Road, the home of the Canaries since 1935.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off is at 15:00 GMT on Saturday, February 8.
Will the game be televised?
Due to broadcasting regulations, the fixture will not be available for broadcast to UK viewers, with the best way to follow all the live action being through official club channels. Match highlights will be published within 24 hours of the full-time whistle.
