A fine, mild evening in East Staffordshire.

Burton Albion in their yellow and black strip with Derby playing in all white with black trim down the sides - the Rams get us going.

The coin toss and handshakes are done. We're just about to get going.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby Sport, Derby County correspondent

"In years gone by avid Derby fans watched Burton in the lower leagues as well as the Rams and shared a bond. 

"The Brewers have a new younger fan base who haven't known that relationship. Their club is now in the Championship and deserve to be there, it's a fabulous story. 

"The side that does not let the occasion get to them at the Pirelli Stadium will be victorious."  

Joe Shennan
BBC Radio Derby Sport, Burton Albion correspondent

"It's a game packed full of wonderful stories, not least the opportunity for Nigel Clough to face the club that dismissed him just under three years ago. 

"The Burton chairman Ben Robinson will rightly be beaming with pride when the two sides take to the Pirelli pitch just before kick-off, and Albion supporters will be pinching themselves when they see the Rams and the Brewers meet competitively for the first time."

As well as following the coverage with us tonight you can also listen to BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra who are covering the game - simply click the play icon in the Live Coverage tab at the top of the page.

If you are lucky enough to live in their catchment area, then BBC Radio Derby are also providing commentary from the Pirelli Stadium.

BBC Radio Derby's Burton Albion summariser spells out John Brayford's return.

Former Derby County midfielder Darryl Powell told BBC Radio Derby: "I have a sneaking feeling that Burton will do a number.

"Derby have top Championship players and Burton have good players. It's just the whole occasion and amount of pressure on Derby. If Derby do come through and win they have done a good job to do it.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby Sport, Derby County correspondent

"The Rams go to the Pirelli Stadium still searching for that level of performance regular watchers of the team in the past few years crave for. High tempo, short passing and potency in front of goal has taken Derby close in recent years. Under Nigel Pearson they are hard to score against, but have so far struggled to to score themselves despite creating a number of good chances.

"They are playing a different way now, it will take time to aclimatise to it and they will improve. "Putting a shift in" is a regular phrase thrown up on commentary and some players have left a little out of the field at times. There is one thing for sure, the new regime will not stand for that and it's evident with the animation of Nigel Pearson in the technical area during matches that it will be addressed."

Image source, Getty Images

At the game? Do you enjoy Friday night football? Who do you think will win the Championship this season?

If you want to discuss these topics or any other football matters throughout the evening, you can be part of our coverage using #bbcefl on Twitter.

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They hosted hosted Liverpool on Tuesday, but according to Burton Albion chairman Ben Robinson that is not even their biggest match this week.

No, welcoming near neighbours Derby County is on par with hosting Manchester United for an FA Cup tie- which they did and managed to force a replay in 2006.

Robinson told BBC Radio Derby: "The realism is that we were never going to win League Cup. Obviously Nigel Clough was focus was to get some points against Derby County.

“It’s the biggest game is the club’s history alongside playing Manchester United in 2006."

Joe Shennan
BBC Radio Derby Sport, Burton Albion correspondent

"For Burton Albion, this is the big one. Even 12 months ago the idea of playing Derby County in a league match seemed little more than a fanciful dream. Now that the two clubs will now meet in the Championship is arguably the single most extraordinary testament to the rise of the Brewers, who have spent their entire history in the shadow of their much larger and far more illustrious neighbours.

"Tuesday evening's EFL Cup thrashing by Liverpool was little more than a formality for the Reds - indeed, it had the feel of an exhibition game. This Friday night under the lights will be anything but, as Burton go in search of the greatest result in their league history."

Image source, Rex Features

When Burton Albion were promoted to England's second tier for the first time, there were no moans 10 miles down the A38 in Derby that the noisy neighbours were moving into their division.

It may be the first competitive match between the two sides, but these two clubs know each other well as regular pre-season friendly rivals. More than the odd Rams fan has adopted Burton as a bit of a second team, an alternative football destination where they could enjoy a lower-league jolly when Derby were not in town.

Rams boss Nigel Pearson summed the pre-match sentiment best, when he said: "To be meeting them in the Championship is a testament as to how they have progressed as a club."

Some very interesting team news tonight.

Former Derby captain Shaun Barker has signed for Burton just before kick-off and is named on the bench - the 33-year-old had not played competitively since 2012 after knee injuries. Will Miller starts after joining on loan from Spurs yesterday and John Brayford makes his first appearance since re-signing.

The Rams meanwhile named on loan Manchester United striker James Wilson on the bench. Chris Martin is back up top after being rested in midweek.

Burton Albion: McLaughlin, Brayford, McFadzean, Turner, O'Grady, Akins, Dyer, Naylor, Palmer, Miller, Irvine.

Substitutes: Bywater, Williamson, Beavon, McCrory, Choudry, Harness, Barker.

Derby County: Carson, Christie, Keogh, Shackell, Olsson, Ince, Bryson, Hughes, Russell, Butterfield, Martin.

Substitutes: Grant, Bent, Wilson, Pearce, Camara, Blackman, Baird.

BBC Radio Derby's Owen Bradley tweets his support for Shaun Barker, who has not player a competitive match for nearly four and a half years.

Image source, BBC Sport

They say a week is a long time in football... try eight years.

They year was 2008 and Burton Albion, under Nigel Clough finished fifth in the Conference - at the time, their best finish in the English football pyramid.

And just as the Brewers were trying to earn a place in the Football League via the play-off, Derby County were suffering the indignity of finishing as the all-time worst Premier League team - ending with one win and just 11 points from 38 games.

Image source, Getty Images

The next season, Clough took charge of Derby in the Championship - where the club has remained ever since - while Burton went on to win the first of three promotions in eight seasons.

Oh, and that latest promotion to England's second tier competition came under Nigel Clough in his first season back at Burton's helm.

Move over Manchester derby...

Image source, Getty Images

Take a back seat Merseyside's finest...

Image source, Rex Features

We have no time for the boys from North London...

Image source, Rex Features

For this is the Football League's newest derby. Burton v Derby. 

Welcome to our Friday night EFL coverage.