Hooker Ford suffered a shoulder injury in the 23-14 loss at Scotstoun last Friday which means Edinburgh must win by 10 points or more to stop Glasgow taking the 1872 Cup - awarded to the aggregate winners of the derby double header - for a fourth straight year.
Ford is replaced in an all-new front-row by Andy Titterrell, with Allan Jacobsen and Geoff Cross, while lock Izak van der Westhuizen (ankle) is replaced by Sean Cox for a match, where RaboDirect PRO12 points are also at stake.
Fiji captain Netani Talei replaces Stuart McInally at number eight, while behind the scrum a rib injury sees Lee Jones replaced by Dougie Fife in the team's sixth change.
Captain Greig Laidlaw starts at scrum-half, with fly-half Piers Francis, centres James King and Matt Scott, wing Tim Visser and Greig Tonks completing the three-quarter line.
Edinburgh head coach Michael Bradley said: "This a hugely important game for us, with PRO12 points, intercity rivalry and, of course, the 1872 Cup all wrapped up in the deciding derby clash between the two clubs.
"We need a good start, we need to get the tempo up and keep it there, move the ball, move our opponents, create space and punish any vacancies.
"The challenge will be to do that against one of the most shrewd and stingy defences in the division, and one which has added an extra level of attacking nous to their armoury, which we saw in full flow last weekend, in part thanks to a number of defensive lapses on our part.
"Derbies are special occasions and all of our supporters, players and management are very much on song in terms of believing that it's about time we won this cup. It will be another ferocious contest.
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