The Owls' Alex Lopez is next in the book. He slides in on Bradley Johnson and there is a little bit of afters between the two but the referee calms things down.

Image source, Rex Features

Jacob Butterfield is the second Derby player to get booked as he goes in late on Eduardo Lucas Joao. Things aren't going the Rams' way so far.

Sheffield Wednesday have been the more adventurous of the two sides so far and they have another go from long distance,but this time Fernando Forestieri's effort is off target and over the bar.

Barry Bannan has a go from range for the hosts but his left-footed strike flies too high and ends up in the stands.

Derby's George Thorne picks up the first booking of the match after catching Fernando Forestieri a bit late. That's not his first foul of the game, so he had been warned by the referee.

A few minutes ago there was a touching moment at Hillsborough as both sets of fans carried out a minute's applause for the late Wednesday fan Caroline Everest, who was sadly found dead after a night out last month.

Visitors Derby are having their best spell of possession and passing the ball around inside the Sheffield Wednesday half at the moment. But they're yet to create an opening.

Portuguese Sheffield Wednesday head coach Carlos Carvalhal is in his first season in charge of the club and it is fair to say the Wednesday fans are pretty happy with the job he is doing so far.

He'll be even more popular if they can move into the play-off zone with a win today.

Image source, Rex Features

Wow! What a delicious, sweet strike on the half volley from Sheffield Wednesday's Ross Wallace. From just beyond the corner of the box, he forces Lee Grant into a fine, diving save. That should liven things up a bit!

The Owls win another free-kick about 35 yards from goal. Barry Bannan curls in it but it goes over everyone's head and out, harmlessly, for a goal kick.

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield Wednesday win a free-kick in a promising position, mid-way into the Derby half, but the ball into the box comes to nothing.

Derby, incidentally, won the first corner of the game but Tom Ince's delivery was comfortably cleared by Sheffield Wednesday. The hosts are yet to get themselves clicking, in these early stages.

Wednesday have Sam Hutchinson in central defence, instead of his normal midfield role. Will that affect their stability at the back? Both teams making a cagey start, no thrust up front at either end so far. 

Derby's Tom Ince and Jacob Butterfield are both making the 150th starts of their careers this afternoon. Will either of them play a crucial part for the Rams this afternoon?

No chances at either end just yet.

The game begins as Sheffield Wednesday get us started.

The players emerge onto the field at Hillsborough on this wintery afternoon. Kick-off is up next.

So, how do you see this game going? And which of these two sides do you most fancy to reach the Premier League next season?

We want to hear from you this afternoon - do get in touch using #bbcfootball on Twitter.

Both these sides have enjoyed relatively good form in the Championship of late.

Can Derby make it three wins in a row? Or will Sheffield Wednesday pick up their third win in six league games?

Image source, BBC Sport

Meanwhile, visitors Derby have made two changes to the side that won 2-0 at Hull on 27 November.

Goalkeeper Scott Carson has a slight back injury so Lee Grant makes his first start since September.

The other change sees midfielder Bradley Johnson replace Jeff Hendrick, who is on the bench. 

Derby County starting XI: Grant, Christie, Keogh, Martin, Shackell, Johnson, Butterfield, Ince, Weimann, Thorne, Warnock.

Substitutes: Mitchell, Baird, Hendrick, Bent, Russell, Pearce, Shotton.

Today's hosts Sheffield Wednesday welcome back Keiren Westwood, Liam Palmer, Barry Bannan, Alex Lopez and Fernando Forestieri to their starting team today.

The Owls are looking to bounce back after their League Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Stoke on Tuesday.

Sheffield Wednesday starting XI: Westwood, Palmer, Loovens, Hutchinson, Pudil, Wallace, Lee, Lopez, Bannan, Forestieri, Joao.

Substitutes: Wildsmith, Semedo, Nuhiu, McGugan, Hooper, Wiggins, Sougou.