Top 10 England’s Biggest Football Rivalries
England’s Greatest Football Rivalries
Which are England’s Biggest Football Rivalries? Which is the biggest rivalry in English football? Football would be nothing without rivalries, and luckily in English football, we have plenty of feisty affairs to look forward to throughout the calender. We will be looking in to the biggest rivals in English Football and some of England’s greatest Football rivalries.
Whether they be local derbies, or just random hatred between each other, there are numerous rivalries within English football, and today we are going to take a look into the top-10.
Some of these games take place every season because of the teams being in the same league, whilst others only come around if they are drawn together in a cup, but nevertheless, they are always special encounters.
10 England’s Biggest Football Rivalries – Biggest Rivals in English Football
So lets start the list with the biggest and greatest rivalries in English football.
10. Manchester United vs Leeds United
In tenth place is the rivalry between Manchester United and Leeds United. This is a game which involves two Northern English clubs in a fixture that is sometimes referred to as the ‘Roses Rivalry‘.
Despite the two clubs not being directly local rivals, there is still hatred between the two clubs and there has been for several years now, making the times they meet extra special.
The last time the two met was five years ago when Leeds beat Manchester United at Old Trafford 1-0 in an FA Cup match. A Jermain Beckford goal was enough for the visitors on that day.
This fixture has become scarce ever since Leeds were relegated from the Premier League to the Championship.
9. Swansea vs Cardiff
The Welsh Derby. Usually played in Football League, but rarely played these days since Swansea City’s incredible rise to the Premier League.
However, they did meet each other a few years back when Cardiff City were promoted to the Premier League, although they were quickly relegated and are now back in the Championship. A feisty affair between two Welsh sides, but always an incredible watch with the passion seeping from the pitch and the stands.
8. Liverpool vs Everton
The Merseyside Derby. Everyone enjoys watching these games because of the passion and the often overheated affairs.
Two clubs that are separated by a river but still a stones throw away, Liverpool vs Everton is one that gets all football fans excited.
Games in recent times have been thrilling, with a 3-3 draw coming two years ago at Goodison Park, and last season saw a Phil Jagielka wonder goal rescue a point for The Toffees in injury time.
7. Southampton vs Portsmouth
In seventh place is the rivalry between Southampton and Portsmouth, which is referred to as the ‘South Coast Derby’.
The two clubs are only 17 miles apart, but sadly fixtures between the two clubs are few and far between these days after Portsmouth’s dramatic fall from grace.
From FA Cup Winners in 2008, Pompey are now in Division 2, just one league above the conference, and The Saints are finishing seventh in the Premier League.
Maybe for the fans, one day the two will meet in the cup.
6. Manchester United vs Manchester City
The Manchester Derby.
In recent years it’s had renewed interest due to Manchester City’s rise from the pit due to financial backing, so this makes this derby even more special.
The two sides have put on absolute thrillers in recent years, with United’s 4-3 thriller in 2009 and City’s 6-1 epic win back in 2011.
As well as epic encounters between each other, they also showcased the best ever Premier League finale when City won it with a last-gasp goal vs Queens Park Rangers.
5. West Ham United vs Millwall
Making it into fifth place is the rivalry between West Ham United and Millwall FC.
This one of the longest rivals tracking back to the olden days and a film was even created broadcasting the hatred between both sets of fans.
Green Street was the film that was made and it portrays how much each fan-base hates each other.
When the two sides do meet, it’s often a feisty affair on the pitch and off the pitch with a lot of fan trouble occurring over recent years.
4. Birmingham vs Aston Villa
In fourth place is the fixture between Aston Villa and Birmingham which is referred to as the ‘Second City Derby‘ or the ‘Birmingham Derby’.
It is sometimes called the Second City Derby due to Birmingham being the second city of the United Kingdom.
Sadly for the derby, it rarely occurs now due to Birmingham being in the Championship and Aston Villa being in the Premier League.
3. Newcastle vs Sunderland – Tyne-Wear derby
The fixture between Newcastle and Sunderland is known as the ‘North East Derby‘ and has a special twist to its name according to the side of the city the match is being played.
If the game is in Tyneside its called the ‘Tyne-Wear’ Derby, while if it is in Wearside it is called the ‘Wear-Tyne Derby‘.
It’s probably one of the most passionate derbies in England and it always is worth-watching even if you are a neutral fan.
2. Tottenham vs Arsenal – North London derby
Runners up on the list is the match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal commonly known as the ‘North London Derby‘.
Another epic derby which all neutral fans watch because of the passion and the excitement, including two games that ended 5-2 to Arsenal in recent years.
The game is always spicy and Spurs are trying their best to overhaul their local rivals, but under Arsene Wenger, they are still yet to finish above The Gunners in the Premier League.
Because of Arsenal always finishing above their rivals, The Gunners often celebrate St Totteringham’s Day, which is when they officially finish above Spurs in the league.
1. Liverpool vs Manchester United – The Red Rivalry
Like we said in the introduction, not all games are derbies because of their location and this one is certainly that, but it easily deserves to be number-one on our list.
Liverpool vs Manchester United. The battle to be the most glittered team in England history and for so long it was Liverpool on the perch.
However, numerous years without a league-title and never managing to win the Premier League has seen Liverpool fall behind United thanks to Sir Alex Ferguson’s stunning era at Old Trafford.
The games are still as hot tempered as ever. Luis Suarez vs Patrice Evra certainly spiced things up in recent years, and then Steven Gerrard’s red card after 15 seconds in this season’s match.
It’s an incredible match and easily worth number-one spot on our list.