Every Premier League Club’s Fiercest Rival in 2025/26
The Premier League is powered by passion, history, and pride. Every club has one opponent that defines their identity—the team they most want to beat. From industrial clashes in the Midlands to high-profile derbies in London and Manchester, here’s a look at every Premier League club’s main rival for the 2025/26 season, starting from the bottom.
Club – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves are one of English football’s oldest clubs, and few fixtures stir their fans like the Black Country Derby. Matches against West Bromwich Albion bring out fierce emotion, fueled by a rivalry that dates back to the 19th century.
Main Rival – West Bromwich Albion
The two clubs have been neighbors and enemies for more than 130 years. Every meeting is an intense affair, with bragging rights in the West Midlands on the line. Both sets of fans see this fixture as a symbol of local dominance.
Club – West Ham United
West Ham’s roots lie deep in East London’s working-class history. Their fans thrive on loyalty and passion, which makes their rivalry with Millwall one of the most notorious in English football.
Read also: 23 Most Successful Clubs in Champions League History – Ranked from Lowest to Highest
Main Rival – Millwall
Known as the Dockers Derby, this rivalry grew from the shipbuilding trades of East and South London. The animosity often spills beyond football, with few derbies carrying as much raw emotion or hostility.
Club – Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur are a club built on flair and ambition, but their greatest motivation comes from North London pride. Spurs fans live for the derby that defines their season.
Main Rival – Arsenal
The North London Derby is one of football’s fiercest rivalries. Every meeting carries massive tension, and legends like Harry Kane have made their mark with memorable performances. For Spurs, victory over Arsenal means everything.
Club – Sunderland
Sunderland’s Premier League return has reignited one of the country’s most iconic derbies. Their passionate supporters thrive on this fixture’s intensity.
Read also: 125 Years of Bayern Munich: Ranking Bayern Munich’s All-Time Top Scorers
Main Rival – Newcastle United
The Tyne-Wear Derby divides the North East like no other. Both clubs fight for regional pride, and with nearly even records after over a century of meetings, every match feels like a war.
Club – Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest’s legacy is steeped in tradition, and nothing embodies it more than their rivalry with Derby County. The East Midlands Derby is a battle of history and pride.
Main Rival – Derby County
The two clubs share a deep connection through legendary manager Brian Clough, who brought success to both sides. Every clash for the Brian Clough Trophy honors that legacy while reigniting decades of animosity.
Club – Newcastle United
Newcastle United’s supporters are some of the most passionate in England, and their rivalry with Sunderland defines football in the North East.
Read also: Premier League Injury Tracker 2025/26: Who’s Out, Who’s Almost Back?
Main Rival – Sunderland
The Tyne-Wear Derby is emotional and electric. Since their first meeting in 1898, both sides have traded victories and heartbreaks, with pride in the region at stake each time they meet.
Club – Manchester United
Manchester United’s global dominance hasn’t dulled their local fire. Their matches against Manchester City represent one of football’s most compelling rivalries.
Main Rival – Manchester City
The Manchester Derby is a battle of history versus modern power. United once ruled the city, but City’s rise under Pep Guardiola has shifted the balance. Each encounter now decides who truly owns Manchester.
Club – Manchester City
Manchester City have transformed from underdogs to a global powerhouse. Yet, despite their dominance, one fixture continues to define them.
Read also: The 35 Greatest WWE Superstars of All Time, Ranked
Main Rival – Manchester United
City’s rivalry with United burns brighter than ever. With both clubs chasing glory at the top, their derbies are fierce, emotional, and symbolic of Manchester’s changing football landscape.
Club – Liverpool
Liverpool’s history is rich with trophies, heroes, and unforgettable nights—but their rivalry with Everton is about much more than silverware.
Main Rival – Everton
The Merseyside Derby is one of football’s oldest rivalries. It divides families and neighborhoods, producing unforgettable moments like Divock Origi’s dramatic winners and Everton’s rare triumphs at Anfield.
Club – Leeds United
Leeds United’s fanbase is known for its fierce loyalty, and no fixture brings out more emotion than their clashes with Manchester United.
Read also: From Bebe to Onana: The 20 Biggest Transfer Disasters at Man Utd
Main Rival – Manchester United
This rivalry goes beyond football—it’s rooted in regional and cultural differences. Leeds and United have battled for decades, creating a fiery and hostile atmosphere every time they meet.
Club – Fulham
Fulham’s modern success has reignited their long-standing West London rivalry. Their fans take immense pride in local supremacy.
Main Rival – Brentford
Fulham and Brentford’s rivalry has grown alongside their recent Premier League presence. From Championship playoff battles to top-flight derbies, the tension and competitiveness continue to rise.
Club – Everton
Everton are one of England’s oldest clubs, and their rivalry with Liverpool is woven into the fabric of Merseyside.
Main Rival – Liverpool
Known as the Merseyside Derby, this clash is both fierce and familial. Red and blue households are split down the middle, and every matchday carries an unmatched emotional weight.
Club – Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace’s supporters are among the loudest in the country, and their south coast rivalry is surprisingly intense.
Main Rival – Brighton & Hove Albion
Despite being 40 miles apart, these two clubs have developed one of the Premier League’s most unique rivalries. Born from 1970s managerial feuds, the M23 Derby is full of tension and drama.
Club – Chelsea
Chelsea’s success has bred rivalries across London, but one opponent always stands out.
Main Rival – Tottenham Hotspur
The Chelsea–Tottenham feud is one of modern football’s fiercest. From the “Battle of the Bridge” in 2016 to countless heated derbies, this rivalry is fueled by ambition, pride, and London supremacy.
Club – Burnley
Burnley’s working-class roots and fierce pride are best displayed in their clashes with Blackburn Rovers.
Main Rival – Blackburn Rovers
The East Lancashire Derby is one of the oldest rivalries in English football. Separated by only a few miles, these matches are packed with intensity and passion that define the region.
Club – Bournemouth
Bournemouth may be one of the Premier League’s smaller clubs, but their rivalry is no less passionate.
Main Rival – Southampton
The South Coast Derby has grown in recent years, with Bournemouth’s rise giving new life to the local feud. Matches between the Cherries and Saints are competitive and fiercely contested.
Club – Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton’s supporters have developed a strong identity built around their clashes with Crystal Palace.
Main Rival – Crystal Palace
The M23 Derby began in the lower leagues but has evolved into a Premier League staple. The rivalry’s strange origins have only added to its intensity and intrigue.
Club – Brentford
Brentford’s journey to the Premier League has brought their West London rivalry to the spotlight.
Main Rival – Fulham
The two clubs have battled for local bragging rights for nearly a century. Now both in the top flight, their encounters are tight, emotional, and fiercely competitive.
Club – Aston Villa
Aston Villa’s proud tradition and loyal fanbase make every derby in Birmingham a monumental occasion.
Main Rival – Birmingham City
The Second City Derby is among England’s most heated fixtures. Dating back over a hundred years, every match divides the city and often descends into pure footballing chaos.
Club – Arsenal
Arsenal’s history is full of glory and tradition, but nothing excites their fans like the North London Derby.
Main Rival – Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal’s rivalry with Tottenham is one of football’s most iconic. From winning league titles at White Hart Lane to unforgettable clashes in the Premier League era, this matchup defines the identity of both clubs.
