In the passionate world of English football, rivalries define the heart and soul of the Premier League. Every club has that one opponent who makes the blood boil, whose name alone stirs memories of historic clashes, controversial moments, and the purest form of competition. These rivalries are not just about proximity or shared history but also about pride, politics, trophies, and sometimes just sheer animosity. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur share one of the most intense rivalries, with Arsenal slightly edging out their North London rivals in the overall head-to-head. Their famous league title win at White Hart Lane during the 2003-04 invincible season still echoes through history, having also achieved the same feat at Spurs’ ground in 1971.
Their Premier League meetings have seen 64 matches played with Arsenal winning 25 and losing 15. Passion and red cards are frequent in this fixture, highlighting its fierce nature. Aston Villa and Birmingham City have battled it out in the Second City Derby, with Villa traditionally holding the upper hand. The rivalry, based in England’s so-called second city, saw memorable moments like Jack Grealish’s winner in 2019 after being attacked by a pitch invader. With Villa winning 57 of the encounters and Birmingham trailing with 38, the hostility is deep-rooted in decades of competition since the late 1800s. Brentford and Fulham have slowly but surely developed a more serious rivalry, especially since both have risen to the top flight.
Brentford narrowly lead the overall head-to-head, and with Fulham’s historical financial backing and Brentford’s modern data-driven approach, this West London rivalry is becoming one to watch as the teams face each other more often on a level playing field. Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace, though geographically separated by more than 40 miles, have one of the most peculiar yet bitter rivalries in English football. Originating in the lower divisions in the 1970s, it was fueled by personal feuds between managers Alan Mullery and Terry Venables. Palace slightly trail Brighton in wins, but the 1-1 draw has become a strangely common result in their recent Premier League matchups, signaling how tightly contested this unique derby is.
Bournemouth and Southampton have experienced a rising tension, especially when both clubs found themselves in the Premier League. Their first top-flight encounter in 2015 ended in a Southampton win, but Bournemouth responded strongly. Though Bournemouth only have nine wins in 34 matches, the fixture continues to grow in competitiveness and significance on the South Coast. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have one of the fiercest rivalries in London. Chelsea have been dominant historically, with 79 wins to Spurs’ 56. The rivalry is amplified by matches like the infamous Battle of the Bridge, where Chelsea’s comeback denied Spurs the league and handed Leicester City a historic title in 2016. Chelsea have won 35 of their 64 Premier League meetings against Tottenham, losing only eight. Crystal Palace’s primary rivalry remains with Brighton, even though they also have gripes with Charlton Athletic and Millwall.
Wilfried Zaha has made his mark in this derby, being the top scorer with eight goals, including decisive strikes in the Championship playoff semi-final in 2013. Palace are without a win in their last six matches against Brighton, with their last victory coming in 2021. Everton and Liverpool form one of the oldest and most storied rivalries in English football. The Merseyside Derby began in 1894, and since then, the Reds have pulled ahead with 125 wins compared to Everton’s 84. The 1980s saw both clubs dominate English football, meeting in the FA Cup finals in 1986 and 1989, both won by Liverpool. Neville Southall holds the record for most derby appearances with 41. Though the rivalry is historic, Liverpool have taken control in recent decades, winning 28 of their 64 Premier League meetings with Everton. Fulham’s rivalry with Brentford intensified during the 2020 Championship playoff final when Fulham triumphed behind closed doors due to COVID restrictions.
Joe Bryan scored twice, including a clever free-kick that beat Brentford’s keeper. While Fulham have yet to beat Brentford away in the Premier League, their encounters are tightly contested, and with both clubs now playing regularly in the top tier, the stakes have never been higher. Ipswich Town and Norwich City represent East Anglia in one of English football’s most underrated derbies, known as the Old Farm Derby.
The rivalry dates back to 1902, and while Ipswich once had the upper hand, Norwich currently enjoy a 14-game unbeaten streak. Despite fans often coming from the same families, the competition is fierce, and bragging rights are dearly held in both Suffolk and Norfolk. Leicester City’s closest rival is Nottingham Forest, a fellow East Midlands club. Their rivalry is long-standing, and one of its most bizarre moments came in 1909 when Forest thrashed Leicester 12-0, a result partially blamed on Leicester’s players partying the night before. Their head-to-head is incredibly balanced, with both sides securing 41 wins across 109 games. Liverpool and Everton’s rivalry is so significant it deserves reiteration.
In recent Premier League history, Liverpool have asserted dominance with 28 wins in 64 matches. Klopp’s reign saw only two losses to Everton, including a surprising 2021 defeat that ended a 22-year unbeaten home run for Liverpool. Divock Origi’s last-minute header in 2018 remains one of the most dramatic moments in modern derby history. Manchester City and Manchester United form a rivalry that has shifted dramatically in recent decades. United were historically the dominant side, but since City’s takeover and Guardiola’s appointment, the balance of power has changed. City’s FA Cup win over United in 2023 showed their ascendancy, although United responded with a victory the following year. The rivalry now symbolizes the old guard versus the new elite, with big games often deciding titles and trophies. United still lead in overall wins, but City’s recent run, including a 6-3 thrashing in 2022, has shifted the narrative. Wayne Rooney remains the top scorer in the Manchester derby with 11 goals, his iconic bicycle kick in 2011 being one of the most memorable in Premier League history. Players like Sergio Aguero and Francis Lee also left their mark, but it’s United’s history and City’s present that now shape this intense feud. Newcastle United and Sunderland’s Tyne-Wear derby is one of the most balanced and passionate rivalries in English football. The recent FA Cup match in 2024 saw Newcastle win 3-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Historically, the fixture is nearly even, with Newcastle winning 54 to Sunderland’s 53 in 156 matches. In Premier League terms, both teams have nine wins each in 28 games, with 10 draws. The rivalry extends beyond football into identity, pride, and city stature. Nottingham Forest and Derby County’s East Midlands Derby is fueled by more than football—it’s about legacy. The legendary Brian Clough managed both clubs, winning trophies with each, including back-to-back European Cups with Forest. The winner of each match claims the Brian Clough Trophy. This historical edge gives the rivalry added intensity, with both sets of fans deeply connected to their club’s past glories and the man who shaped them. Southampton and Portsmouth, two coastal clubs separated by just 17 miles, share a rivalry steeped in economic and social tensions.
While they once celebrated each other’s success, particularly when Portsmouth won the FA Cup in 1939, that camaraderie faded as economic disparity grew. The rivalry now simmers with resentment and is marked by long gaps between matches due to their fluctuating league positions. When they do meet, it’s explosive and often chaotic. Tottenham Hotspur have rivalries with Chelsea, Arsenal, and West Ham, but the North London Derby against Arsenal is undoubtedly their most bitter. With 67 wins against Arsenal’s 87, Spurs have often played second fiddle, but the intensity of the fixture never wanes. Whether at the Emirates or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the matches are filled with drama, goals, and plenty of confrontation. West Ham United view Tottenham as their main rival, a grudge intensified by proximity and historic encounters. While Tottenham may not always return the feeling with the same intensity, West Ham fans relish every chance to get one over on Spurs. Their meetings are marked by grit, upsets, and the occasional unforgettable goal. Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion, though not currently in the same division often, share a heated Black Country rivalry.
Historically physical and ferociously fought, the fixtures between these two Midlands clubs have defined local bragging rights for over a century. While these rivalries vary in history, intensity, and frequency, each one brings a unique flavor to the Premier League. They capture everything that makes football in England so compelling: passion, pride, history, and the sheer desire to win not just for points, but for honor. In the end, it’s not always the title races or the cup finals that fans remember most—it’s the derbies, the heated chants, the last-minute winners, and the crushing defeats at the hands of their most bitter rivals. These rivalries are what keep the game alive, vibrant, and endlessly fascinating.
