Derby County, the Championship's scorching side, will have to end Uwe Rosler's unbeaten start as Wigan Athletic manager if they are to make it nine wins out of their last 10 games on New Year's Day.
A 2-1 victory over rockbottom Barnsley on Sunday saw Derby climb to second in the table, breaking up the previous pace-setting trio of Leicester City, Burnley and Queens Park Rangers.
Steve McClaren is likely to stick with his in-form side but does have to decide whether to bring back Jamie Ward or keep Johnny Russell on one side of lead striker Chris Martin.
Visiting manager Rosler saw his side achieve only a pair of goalless draws from their two home games against Birmingham and Burnley over the festive period and may shake up his side for the trip to Derby.
Jean Beausejour should return at left-back after missing out on Sunday through suspension while further forward James McClean, Callum McManaman and Grant Holt are all pushing for a start.
When these two last met in the reverse fixture at the start of the month, Derby's 3-1 victory ended up being the final match in charge of the Latics for Owen Coyle.
Recent form
Derby: WDWWWW
Wigan: DDWWLL
Possible starting lineups
Derby: Grant; Wisdom, Keane, Buxton, Forsyth; Eustace, Hughes, Bryson; Ward, Martin, Dawkins
Wigan: Al-Habsi; Boyce, Ramis, Barnett, Beausejour; McArthur, Watson, McManaman, McCann, McClean; Powell
Sports Mole says: 2-2
Pascal Lemesre
