The UK’s Tightest Derby Clashes – 2017

Ever wondered which local derby in the United Kingdom is the most closely contested?

Earlier this week Sky Sports stuck a panel together to delve into derbies in both England and Scotland and they came out with a list of the 20 most competitive clashes amongst local sides, based on a win, lose, draw head to head from the history books.

From their research, maybe surprisingly for many, the Black Country derby between West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers actually comes top of that ‘tightly contested’ pile as West Brom edge their near rivals by a tiny two game margin.

West Brom have picked up 54 victories in their history, whilst Wolves boast 52.

The remaining 19 derbies wouldn’t take many guesses to work out to be fair for fans, but when it comes to long standing bragging rights there are some clear winners and losers.

It must be said though Sky have based this on main traditional and accepted ‘true’ rivalry’s in the game and there will be fans out there who disagree with the pick of the side as ‘rival’ or a ‘secondary rival’ for these purposes – whether that’s based on generation or simply who they consider the truer rival to be based on derby games they’ve experienced growing up.

The table is only accurate until this weekend as we have an Old Firm, a Steel City and a London derby to consider which will change things subtly.