Derby fixtures are the essence of the game. There is a different feel to a derby clash as opposed to a routine league fixture or cup tie, one that sparks some added passion.
The day of the game is filled with nerves. Will there be bragging rights at the end of the 90 minutes? Who will be the hero? Countless questions arise.
The UK is filled with plenty of mouthwatering rivalries that stretch from the south coast up to the north of Scotland. Several go under the radar, especially those lower down in the footballing pyramid.
Those in the Premier League or Scottish Premiership are among some of the most intense in the country. From Glasgow to London, rivalries are formed in each major city in the UK.
Here, we take a look at nine of the fiercest derby matches across England, Scotland and Wales.
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1 ByLewis ThompsonSep 14, 2024 3 Aston Villa v Birmingham City Second City derby
Commonly known as the Second City Derby, the games between Aston Villa and Birmingham City are often tense affairs, with the Villa Park side coming out on top more often than not.
The clubs haven’t faced each other since March 2019, in a game that saw Jack Grealish punched by a Birmingham supporter, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two sides.
With Villa riding high and Birmingham in League One, it could be a while before they next meet.
2 Newcastle United v Sunderland Tyne-Wear derby
The Tyne-Wear derby takes place between Newcastle United and Sunderland, with the results between the teams fairly even. Indeed, Newcastle have just one more win over their rivals (54 vs 53). Although the derby hasn’t been played in the top flight since 2016, the Magpies claimed an FA Cup win over Sunderland earlier in 2024.
Could this derby return to the Premier League next season? Only time will tell.
1 Celtic v Rangers Old Firm derby
The Old Firm derby isn’t just the biggest rivalry in the UK, but it is one of the fiercest in world football, contested by two teams who simply detest each other.
This feeling spreads down to the supporters on game day. The two teams have dominated Scottish football, winning every single league title since 1986.
Combined, the pair have won 109 league titles between them, while Celtic recently overtook Rangers in the overall head-to-head record, winning 170 matches compared to 169 for the Ibrox side. No game is ever meaningless between the teams.
Celtic wins
170
Draws
103
Rangers wins
169
Last meeting
Celtic 3-0 Rangers, 1st Sep 2024
2024/25 meetings
Celtic v Rangers, 15th Dec 2024
Rangers v Celtic, 2nd Jan 2025
Celtic v Rangers, 15th Mar 2025