Having returned to winning ways in the last game with a display that beat Coventry 2-0 away, coach Mick McGiven understandably makes few changes to his starting line-up. He does however bring back two of his more senior players, absent last week on first team squad duty in Barcelona.
Lenny Pidgeley, fresh from the Carling Cup Final bench returns in goal in place of debutant James Russell and Nuno Morais comes back into the centre of defence with Michael Mancienne making way. Adrian Pettigrew, who scored his first Chelsea goal at either reserve or youth level in last week's win retains his place at the back with Steven Watt unavailable having picked up five bookings.
The game at Derby in September was a 0-0 draw but Chelsea's prowess in front of goal has improved since, helping the side to 19 points out of a possible last 24 which has moved them up to a season's best sixth place. It will need excellent form to move higher with fifth-placed Spurs 12 points ahead.
Danny Woodards, the other player to find the net against Coventry is currently the reserves' top scorer with six goals.
Derby's second string are three off the bottom of the southern section table but have played significantly less games than all other sides. Their away form is markedly better than their home with four wins out of eight on their travels.
They have experience up front tonight in the shape of Marco Reich, owner of one German international cap and a regular in the Derby first team this season where he has netted five times. Junior is a 28 year-old Brazilian striker signed from Walsall. Defender Nathan Doyle has made four first team appearances this season.
The full Chelsea line-up tonight is:
Lenny Pidgeley, Dean Smith, Nuno Morais, Adrian Pettigrew, Sam Tillen, Jimmy Smith, Anthony Grant, Danny Hollands (Capt), Filipe Oliveira, Sebastian Kneissl, Danny Woodards.
Subs: James Russell (gk), Joe Tillen, Michael Mancienne, Dean Furman, Filipe Morais.
Derby County:
Dean Brill, Nathan Doyle, Dan Martin, Chris Turner, Danny Young, Lewin Nyatanga, Lionel Ainsworth, Giles Barnes, Junior, David Cassidy, Marco Reich.
Subs: James Meredith, Ben Kirby, Mitchell Booth, Korey Nix, Josh Llewellyn
The game is at the Recreation Ground, kick-off 7pm. Admission is £5 adults, £2 under 16s and senior citizens, free to Chelsea season ticket holders.
The match will also be shown live on Chelsea TV. Broadcasting starts at 6.30pm with Kerry Dixon in the studio and Jason Cundy co-commentating.