Pompey fans have been waiting a long time for a game of this magnitude - with League One's undoubted top two going head-to-head for the battle to be crowned the division's champions.
Five points separate the John Mousinho's table-toppers and the second-placed Rams who have played a game more. And although the Blues enjoy a healthy cushion over their nearest rivals, they'll be in no mood to go soft on their nearest challengers of the third-tier crown.
Indeed, the Fratton faithful want promotion and the league title wrapped up as soon as possible, with the champagne effectively on ice since that important win at Peterborough before the international break.
The outcome of tonight's game will go a long way to determining Pompey's fate, so Mousinho will want to get his team selection right for such a huge match. He's admitted two players from the Good Friday win at Wycombe are rated '50-50' for the visit of Derby, which is far from ideal whenever you have the likes of Regan Poole, Alex Robertson, Joe Morrell and Callum Lang unavailable through injury. However Pompey have performed superbly in their absence as the Blues' squad has stepped up to the plate to keep the chasing pack at bay.
There are signs of players coming back, too, with Lee Evans making his debut from the bench at Adams Park, while Tino Anjorin is in contention after a lengthy spell out with a hamstring injury. But can they break their way into the side for tonight's game? Or is the bench the best they and the ever-popular Kusini Yengi can hope for?
These are the dilemmas Mousinho must find the answers to. In the meantime, here's how we think Pompey will approach tonight's match...
Indeed, the Fratton faithful want promotion and the league title wrapped up as soon as possible, with the champagne effectively on ice since that important win at Peterborough before the international break.
![Returned to the starting XI at Adams Park with ease, after sitting out the Blues' past three games with a knee injury. John Mousinho will be aware that he needs to be careful with Ogilvie's fitness after a few setbacks this season - but he's such a dependable figure!](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmJiYjFmZTg2LTMzNzMtNDRhMi04NmZiLTg3MTgwZGFmMDhlZjpmNDY0ZjJmYy1iNDZkLTQ3MTctOGEyMC0xN2ViOTUwMzkwZjk=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
5. Left-back - Connor Ogilvie
Returned to the starting XI at Adams Park with ease, after sitting out the Blues' past three games with a knee injury. John Mousinho will be aware that he needs to be careful with Ogilvie's fitness after a few setbacks this season - but he's such a dependable figure!Photo: Jason Brown
![There was another impressive showing from the skipper at Wycombe on Friday. His leadership will be vital tonight, with Conor Hourihane likely to be pulling the strings for the Rams in that key midfield battleground.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjg5NjFiZTk4LTQ0NTItNDM4Yi05MWMzLTVjMThkODQwYTgzODoyMGY0N2IwNi00MTRmLTRmNTItOTU0Mi1lOGM4ZTJkMjMxYWM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. Centre-midfield 1 - Marlon Pack
There was another impressive showing from the skipper at Wycombe on Friday. His leadership will be vital tonight, with Conor Hourihane likely to be pulling the strings for the Rams in that key midfield battleground.Photo: Pete Norton
![The former Carlisle midfielder is slowly growing into the role he's been asked to fulfil in the absence of Alex Robertson, Joe Morrell & Co. Lee Evans' 27-minute run-out against Wycombe puts him in contention to start this important game. But maybe his lack of game time in recent months counts against him.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/03/12/11/45/Owen%20Moxon.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
7. Centre midfield 2 - Owen Moxon
The former Carlisle midfielder is slowly growing into the role he's been asked to fulfil in the absence of Alex Robertson, Joe Morrell & Co. Lee Evans' 27-minute run-out against Wycombe puts him in contention to start this important game. But maybe his lack of game time in recent months counts against him. | National World
8. Right-wing: Abu Kamara
The on-loan Norwich winger oozes class - as demonstrated again with his three assists against Wycombe on Saturday. Here's hoping he's not one of the two player carrying 'knocks' from the visit to Adams Park, | National World