This year’s Manchester derby could well be one of the most important in recent history.
A win for City could put them well and truly in the box seat for the title, while a win for the red side of Manchester would catapult Mourinho’s men back into contention.
City go into the tie as Manchester Derby favourites, but we all know once on the pitch, anything can happen.
Across the country there are some ferocious derbies, from Manchester, to London, to even North Wales and Chester. But which club is the king of the derbies?
We checked the records of some of the great English derbies to find the ultimate noisy neighbour…
The Manchester Derby
Manchester United
Win Percentage: 41.4%
Manchester United’s huge dominance in the Premier League has seen them get a huge edge on City, having won 22 more derbies than the Blues.
In fact, between 1981 and 2002, United lost just one in 26 matches.
Manchester City
Win Percentage: 28.7%
Manchester City have won just 50 of their 174 meetings with Manchester United, a rivalry that dates back to 1891.
In recent years they have won five of the last 10 meets and have edged above the famous champions as favourites for the Premier League title.
The A420 Derby
Oxford United
Win Percentage: 26%
Just over 40 minutes separates Oxford and Swindon and since 1965, when the sides first met it’s become one of the fiercest games in British football.
Oxford have had the edge in recent years, winning seven of their last eight meetings including both fixtures last season as Swindon faced relegation.
Overall though, it’s a different story with United managing just 16 wins in 60.
Swindon Town
Win Percentage: 40%
Swindon haven’t beaten rivals Oxford since 2001, a run that stretches eight games but they have had the better of them on 24 of 60 occasions.
When the rivalry first started back in the ‘60s, The Robins went unbeaten for seven games before Oxford finally picked up a win in 1969.
The South Wales Derby
Cardiff City
Win Percentage: 33%
Derbies don’t come more intense than the South Wales Derby. Tempers flare more often than not and Cardiff fans have developed a real reputation.
On the pitch it’s pretty even stevens with the clubs. Cardiff have won 22 of their 66 meetings, including three of their last five meetings.
Swansea City
Win Percentage: 45%
Swansea have had the better of the South Wales Derby, winning 27 meetings between the two.
It could well be a fixture that is resurrected next season as Swansea are among the favourites for Premier League relegation.
The Tyne-Wear Derby
Newcastle United
Win Percentage: 34%
The Tyne-Wear Derby is always a cracker, and, surprisingly the Magpies haven’t won in it since 2011.
They’ve won 53 out of 155 games, winning the first ever meeting between the two back in December 1898.
Sunderland
Win Percentage: 34%
Sunderland match Newcastle’s record in the Tyne-Wear derby and have come out on top in a staggering six of the last seven.
They haven’t lost to the Magpies since 2011, although it doesn’t seem like they’ll have the chance to gain revenge any time soon.
The Steel City Derby
Sheffield United
Win Percentage: 35%
The Blades just have the edge on Sheffield Wednesday in the infamous Steel City derby and went beyond the Owls when it comes to victories in their 4-2 win at Hillsborough back in September.
That gave United 49 wins against their rivals. Can Wednesday level it up later in the season?
Sheffield Wednesday
Win Percentage: 34%
Sheffield Wednesday fell behind their rivals back in September and will be looking to even the scores on January 12 at Bramall Lane.
The Owls have won 48 of 141 fixtures between the clubs in a derby that dates back to 1891.
East Lancashire Derby
Blackburn Rovers
Win Percentage: 40%
Blackburn haven’t beaten Lancashire rivals Burnley since 2010, leading to a seven game run without a win.
Before that Rovers had won seven in eight across a 28-year period in a derby that dates back to 1888.
Burnley
Win Percentage: 41%
The first derby between the two led to a 7-1 demolition at the hands of Blackburn, in fact, two of their first three meetings were 7-1 defeats.
Since then however, Burnley have won 42 times, one more than Rovers and now sit comfortably in the Premier League while their rivals struggle in League One.
Merseyside Derby
Liverpool
Win Percentage: 42%
The Merseyside Derby is one of the most anticipated games of the season and is generally known as The Friendly Derby.
However, nothing is friendly on the pitch and Liverpool have won 117 of the 279 meetings.
As part of Sky Sports’ Derby Day, the pair will also face each other on December 10 with Liverpool favourite to beat Everton.
Everton
Win Percentage: 29%
Everton won the first ever Merseyside Derby 3-0 but will be far from fancied in their upcoming tie.
The Toffees have won less than a third of all their meets and have failed to win in their last 14 games now.
North London Derby
Arsenal
Win Percentage: 42%
Arsenal enjoyed a great win over Spurs just a few weeks ago, putting them right back in with a chance of reaching the top four.
Over the past few years the tie has become a real even contest, but it hasn’t always been. Between 1999 and 2008, Arsenal went on a huge 21 game unbeaten run against Spurs before finally losing 5-1 in the League Cup.
Tottenham
Win Percentage: 32%
Spurs may have got the upperhand on the Gunners by finishing above them in the Premier League last season, but when it comes to the North London Derby, they’ve lost 19 more times than Arsenal.
Recent years has seen some good wins for Spurs however, with a 2-0 win back in April and a breathtaking last gasp 3-2 win back in 2010 at the Emirates.
Cross-Border Derby
Wrexham
Win Percentage: 33%
One of football’s fiercest rivalries has resurrected itself in non-league in recent years.
Wrexham versus Chester always gets the blood boiling among fans and it’s well known for its violence.
The most recent game resulted in a Wrexham victory, taking their total to 15 overall, one more than their bitter rivals.
Chester
Win Percentage: 30%
Chester and Wrexham first met back in 1932 and have gone on to meet 46 times. Wrexham have won just one more than The Blues, but revenge will be sought when the pair face off in March next year.
The Dragons are up at the other end of the table, with Chester struggling so it’ll make a real tense fixture and one where tempers may reach hearing point.
