Derby

A derby is usually named after the city the two teams are from.

The term "derby" can also be used to refer to matches between teams from different towns but the same region. A rivalry becomes a derby if the clubs have been involved in a long struggle for domination in the same region and their matches are the focus of heightened attention from fans.

There are a number of versions of the origin of the name.

The most popular of these comes form horse racing. It first appeared in 1780, when Edward Smith Stanley, the 12th Earl of Derby, held an elite racing event in Epsom. The competition became known as the Epsom Derby. It's still going on today and is the richest and most prestigious sporting event in Great Britain. From the very outset, the tournament was distinguished by great popularity and a strong sense of rivalry. So the term "derby" came to be used to describe competitions between unreconcilable rivals in various sports. Rivals are mainly clubs from the same city.

There's another version connected with Royal Shrovetide footbal, an annual match that takes place during Lent. The tournament is considered to have been established in the early Middle Ages in the town of Derby in Derbyshire. In the 12th century, the traditional match moved to Ashborn, another town in the same county. Up to 1,000 male players took part in the game, divided into two teams. Two mills 3 km apart were used as the goal posts. The playing field was the town streets. The players could hold the ball, throw it or carry it, but most often it was in the centre of a brawling crowd. The ball was often torn apart.

There are Derby matches in lots of different sports, including football, hockey, basketball, cricket and others. But the term means the same thing everywhere: a match between clubs from one town or region.

In horse racing, the term has a different meaning. Derby is the term used for thoroughbred three-year old horse races. Depending on the country, the horses may be older, from four to five years old.

The most famous derbies in horse racing are the Epsom Derby in the United Kingdom and Kentucky Derby in the USA.

The term "classico" in Spanish speaking countries means major matches rather than a geographical connection. This can be the name given to a derby between teams from the same city and a match between clubs from different regions.

Matches between teams from different regions can also be called derbies, but this is incorrect. A derby is rivalry between clubs from the same location. If the teams represent different regions, then this term is inapplicable.

The most exciting inter-regional rivalries are given their own names. In European football, the most popular rivalry is between two Spanish teams: Real and Barcelona. It's also called El Classico.

The term "classico" has spread beyond Spain and the countries of Latin America. France, for example, has its own "classico" in the rivalry between PSG and Olympic Marseille, known as Le Classico.

There are also "classico" rivalries between national teams. For example, matches between Brazil and Argentina are called Superclassico de las Americas.

The oldest derby match is between English football clubs Sheffield and Hallam. Both teams represent Sheffield, and their rivalry is called the Sheffield Derby. It was first played on 26 December 1860, and ended with Sheffield winning 2:1.

The oldest Derby in Russia is between Spartak and Dynamo. The first match between the teams was played on 17 June 1923. Spartak was playing under the name of Krasnaya Presnya and won 3:2.

Both teams represent Buenos Aires.

The Argentine Superclassico differs from other derbies in terms of fan excitement. The rivalry periodically spills over into clashes between fans and even attacks on players. The last major example of violence took place in 2018 before the final match of the Copa Libertadores. In the first second round match, Boca tied 2:2 at home. Before the rematch, River Plate fans attacked the bus carrying players from Boca Juniors. The attackers smashed the windows and threw pepper bombs, injuring a number of Boca players. Boca demanded that River Plate be disqualified, but the administration decided that the rematch still be held. For safety reasons, the match was moved to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain. River Plate won 3:1 to earn then Copa Libertadores for the fourth time in club history. For Boca Juniors, it would have been their seventh trophy.

Today, Boca and River are supported by fans from different social classes, but the fan rivalry used to be class based. Boca was supported by the working class, while River Plate was an establishment club nicknamed the "millionaires".

The first official Argentine Superclassico took place on 24 August 1913, with River winning 2:1. Between 1913 and 2021, the teams have played 256 times. Boca has won 89, and River Plate 84.

This rivalry is also known as the Old Firm Derby. Both teams represent Glasgow.

The rivalry between the two teams bears an unusual name. It doesn't reflect the geographical connection between them, and there are disputes as to its history. According to one version, the name comes from the fact that Celtic and Rangers were some of the first members of the Scottish Football league. Another version links it to a satirical illustration in a magazine, where beneath a caricature were the words "Support the Old Firm". This hints that it was more profitable for the teams to play each other since the matches earned them a lot of money.

The rivalry between the clubs is more than just sport. It also stretches to national and religious differences. The Rangers are supported by native Scots and Ulster Scots from Northern Ireland, mainly Protestants. Celtic are supported by Scots whose ancestors resettled from the present-day Republic of Eire, and are mainly Catholics.

Between 1890 and 2021, the teams have played a total of 426 games. Celtic has won 159, and Rangers 167.

The rivalry between the Italian clubs from Milan is known as the Derby della Madonnina in honour of the statue of the Madonna atop Milan Cathedral. Madonnina means "little Madonna".

The rivalry between Milan and Inter started in 1908. The most exciting rivalry period in football history was in the 1960s, when the best play makers of Italy played for these two teams: Sandro Mazzola for Inter, and Gianni Rivera for Milan.

Between 1908 and 2021, the teams have played 229 matches, with Inter winning 84, and Milan 77. Inter is slightly ahead in terms of domestic titles, with 31 compared to Milan's 30, including 19 against 18 in Serie A. But Milan has more international titles: 48 as opposed to 40.

These are Turkey's leading tournament winners, with both teams based in Istanbul. Matches between the clubs are referred to as the Intercontinenal Derby or Eternal Rivalry.

Matches between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are marked by intense rivalry on the pitch and clashes outside the stadiums. The most striking encounter took place in February, 1934. The clubs were playing an exhibition match, but the players were acting like it was a championship game. A lot of goals were scored, and the match ended with a fight between the players.

Some Intercontinental Derbies have been accompanied by violence. For example, in 2013, Fenerbahce beat Galatasaray 2:1. After the match, Fenerbahce fans attacked their rival fans, one of whom received multiple knife wounds.

Between 1909 and October 2021, the teams have played 393 matches, with Fenerbahce winning 146, and Galatasaray 125.

The Belgrade Derby, also known as the Eternal Derby, is the rivalry between the two most irreconcilable teams in Eastern Europe. Throughout the entire history of the Serbian Superleague starting in 2006, not a single other club apart from Partisan or Crvena Zvezda has ever won the championship. During this period, Partisan won 8 times and Crvena Zvezda 7.

The history of the rivalry between the clubs began a long time before the present-day Serbian championship was established. Crvena Zvezda and Partisan were both established in 1945 withing seven months of each other. Crvena Zvezda were established by the Union of Communists in Yugoslavia, and Partisan was established by the Yugoslav People's Army. The teams played for the first time against each other in 1947, and the match was won by Crvena Zvezda.

By November 2021, the teams had played 125 matches, with Crvena Zvezda winning 65, and Partisan 47.

Don't include derby bets in Multiple or System bets. Matches between clubs from the same city are different from normal championship games. The players are more motivated and it's more difficult for this reason to predict the result. Even a clear outsider might pull itself together and force the game even to a draw. It's also difficult to guess the number of goals. The teams might play exciting football and score plenty of goals, or play a boring match in an effort just not to lose. It's not worth risking Multiple and System bets.

Study the stats and analyse the chances of each team. Sometimes betting companies might show a preference for one team that has performed better in the championship without taking the derby factor into account. Outsider odds can remain high. By correctly weighing up the strengths of the rivals, you can use this fact.

Outsiders frequently get inspired to give their very best performances against their main rivals. This can be used when you place a bet on an outsider to win with a positive handicap. You can look for options of draws or wins by outsiders, and at the same time insure your bet. Depending on the value of the handicap, the bet might win even if the favourite wins.