Conor Sammon will make his home debut at Pride Park Stadium, as Rams boss Nigel Clough keeps faith with the same starting XI that drew 1-1 with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux last weekend.
Therefore, 25-year-old Sammon is named alongside Jamie Ward in attack, whilst 17-year-old midfielder Will Hughes starts in the left-hand berth of midfield.
Elsewhere, Richard Keogh partners James O'Connor at the heart of the Rams' back-four, and Jake Buxton is named amongst the Rams' substitutes after overcoming illness that has kept the former Mansfield Town defender out of the side's last two fixtures.
Summer-signings Valentin Gjokaj and Michael Jacobs are also named in the matchday squad of 18, as well as last season's joint top-scorer Theo Robinson.
Derby County: Fielding (GK); Brayford, Keogh, O'Connor, Roberts; Coutts, Bryson, Hendrick, Hughes; Ward, Sammon.
Subs: Legzdins (GK), Buxton, Jacobs, Tyson, Gjokaj, Robinson, Doyle.
Watford: Almunia (GK); Doyley, Nosworthy, Abdi, Dickinson; Yeates, Hogg, Murray, Pudil; Vydra, Iwelumo.
Subs: Bond (GK), Forsyth, Beleck, Anya, Cassetti, Hoban, Battocchio.
Don't forget that supporters who purchase a copy of THE RAM this afternoon can tweet @dcfcofficial with a picture of themselves holding the programme for an opportunity to win a player-signed picture of their choice.