Biggest rivalries in Premier League

Today sees two of the Premier League's biggest rivalries in action as Arsenal entertain Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium before Liverpool play host to Everton at Anfield. Meanwhile, Chelsea kick-start the derby day with a lunchtime encounter with west London neighbours Fulham in their first game since 2014.

Are local derbies the biggest matches in the Premier League, or are there bigger, most intense matches in England's top flight?

Here, we rank the biggest rivalries in English football, using three components; history, current importance and unpredictability -- using scale of 1 to 5 (1 = barely registers, 5 = through the roof).

7. Liverpool vs Everton

Liverpool-Everton often called The Merseyside Derby, might not really be the battle of title contenders it once was, but it still means so much to those on Merseyside. 

Less than a mile, Anfield and Goodison Park separate at either side of Stanley Park, but recently, the so-called "friendly derby" of the 1980s has become more bitter and hostile, with Everton fans claiming to be the "People's Club" in contrast to Liverpool's more global fan base.

History: Before 1960s, Everton had been the city's most powerful and successful club, but the subsequent rise of Liverpool under Bill Shankly turned the tide in their favour. In the 1980s, the rivalry peaked when the two clubs fought it out for league titles and FA Cups, but Everton's lack of silverware now dates back to 1995, and they are now conveniently in Liverpool's shadow. Rating: 4/5

Current importance: This fixture was the biggest in English football during the late 1980s as the two clubs dominated the major honours, but it has become nothing more than a battle for local pride. 

For Everton, it’s the biggest game of the season, but Liverpool now look toward clubs like City, United and Chelsea for their big games. Rating: 1/5

Unpredictability: Since 1999, Everton have not defeated Liverpool at, and their home record against the Reds is not also impressive. Liverpool don't win them all, but they don't lose many, and in recent years, it has become a one-sided rivalry. Rating: 2/5

Overall rating: 8/15

6. Tottenham vs Arsenal

The North London rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham is viewed as the most intense in the city. North London neighbours and traditionally London's big two clubs until the emergence of Chelsea under Roman Abramovich. 

The local rivalry between Spurs and Arsenal started 1913, when Arsenal left their original home of Woolwich, south of the River Thames, and move close to Spurs territory in the north of the city.

History: Arsenal have always viewed themselves as an established club in London, but Spurs were the one credited with glamour and pure footballing principles. In 1960, they became the first team in the 20th century to win the league and FA Cup double in 1961. 

Ten years later, Arsenal emulated that success, but the arrival of Arsene Wenger in 1996 changed the narrative, with the Gunners blending style with success while Spurs struggled to keep up. Rating: 3/5

Current importance: A big game in London, but with neither team regarded as genuine contenders for the title, which does not resonate so much around the country or globally. 

Local rivalry between Spurs and Arsenal is intense, but it is not a match that makes a dent in the title race. Rating: 2/5

Unpredictability: Since the Premier League began in 1992, Spurs have beaten Arsenal away from home just twice, but their record at home (White Hart Lane and Wembley) is very respectable, particularly in recent seasons. 

Arsenal are not really the dominant force during Wenger era, so this fixture has become too close to call. Rating: 4/5

Overall rating: 9/15

5. Chelsea vs Liverpool

The rivalry between Chelsea and Liverpool has spanned matches in both domestic and European competitions. 

A rivalry that was birth during the mid-2000s, when Rafa Benitez and Jose Mourinh's sides clashed in cup finals and seismic Champions League semifinals. For quite some period, Chelsea vs Liverpool became the most bitter rivalry in English football.

History: Chelsea are still being mocked for their lack of "history” by Liverpool supporters but since Abramovich bought the club in 2003, the London club have enjoyed over a decade of success, with the 2012 Champions League the crowning glory. 

Chelsea's rise as a force in football both local and international has mirrored Liverpool's decline, and although the Reds are now a resurgent force, Chelsea's recent silverware haul is far better than Liverpool's. Rating: 3/5

Current importance: The hostility of the Mourinho-Benitez era has subsided and the matches between the two clubs lack the importance of those days, but there is often something at stake for at least one of the teams when they meet. Rating: 3/5

Unpredictability: None of the teams dominates this fixture and both clubs have impressive records against each other away from home. When it comes to predicting who wins, it is always best to consider the form guide and go with the team struggling for a result. Rating: 4/5

Overall rating: 10/15

4. Arsenal vs Manchester United

Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane's midfield battles personified the Manchester United-Arsenal rivalry at its peak. North vs South, London vs. Manchester, the most successful club in the capital up against the biggest club in Country. 

This was always one of English football's biggest fixtures, but during the late 1990s and early 2000s, it became the biggest of all for almost a decade when Sir Alex Ferguson and Wenger's teams were at their peak.

History: Arsenal rivalry with United stretches back to the 1950s, and only Arsenal can come close to competing with United and Liverpool in terms of prolonged success. 

It was raised totally to new heights during Ferguson-Wenger era, though, with no other team winning the title between 1996 and 2004. 

The rivalry and animosity boiled over on and off the pitch with Wenger and Ferguson clashing verbally as the likes of Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira, Martin Keown and Ruud van Nistelrooy went head-to-head on the pitch. Rating: 4/5

Current importance: Things are not what they used to be. Having been the game for almost a decade, United vs Arsenal is no more a battle for the EPL title, but more likely a decider as to which team finished the season in the top four. 

Alarmingly, both have declined since their peak years and United-Arsenal fixtures are now just a sad reflection of how far both have fallen. Rating: 2/5

Unpredictability: Following Wenger's departure during the summer, Unai Emery's arrival at the Emirates has breathed new life into Arsenal, so they might regain the upper hand in battles against United, who have dominated this match since the height of their rivalry subsided in the mid-2000s. 

With both teams still hunting for their identity, anything can happen when they face each other. Rating: 4/5

Overall rating: 10/15

3. Manchester City vs Manchester United

The Manchester derby has grown from a high-intensity local derby into being one of the most watched games globally.

A rivalry that stretches back to the 1890s, with Manchester City the dominant force in the city before the Second World War and Manchester United growing in strength and glory in the second half of the 20th century. 

City's decline in the 1990s mirrored United's rise, but after 10 years of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan's ownership, the Blues are now back on top.

History: United have long regarded their neighbours Manchester City as the "noisy neighbours" by Ferguson, as poor relations on and off the pitch. 

In the 1990s, City's drop into the third tier of English football made them almost irrelevant to United, who regarded Liverpool, Arsenal and Leeds United as bigger rivals. 

But over the past decade, City's resurgence has reignited the rivalry to levels not witnessed as far back as the 1960s, when the two teams last battled it out for honours. Rating: 3/5

Current importance: At one stage during this decade, City vs United became the biggest fixture in England and one of the biggest in the world as the two clubs fought it out always for the Premier League crown. 

Between 2011 and 2013, the rivalry was at its peak when every Manchester derby was crucial in the outcome of the title race. 

United's recent decline has left City with more direct rivals over the past five years, but this fixture always matters. Rating: 4/5

Unpredictability: During their dark days of the 1990s and 2000s, City failed to beat United for 13 years but they are now top dogs in Manchester and have won on their last two visits to Old Trafford. 

At the Etihad stadium last season, United fought their way back from 2-0 down to win 3-2, though this derby is always impossible to predict. Rating: 4/5

Overall rating: 11/15

2. Liverpool vs Manchester City

Liverpool's rivalry with Manchester City might not have the historical heft like others, but that has changed in recent season.

This match is all about the here and now. It is Liverpool's history and tradition against the new wealth and unchecked ambition of City. 

Also, it’s about Jurgen Klopp vs Pep Guardiola and Mohamed Salah vs Kevin De Bruyne. It is big names and sumptuous football all the way, with an increasing element of hostility between the two teams.

History: City and Liverpool had briefly been rivals during the 1960s until the current fight for supremacy started as recently as 2013-14, when Steven Gerrard's slip against Chelsea at Anfield helped give City the edge in the run to title race. 

Not one of the classic rivalries in English football, but both clubs traditionally directing their energies toward Manchester United. 

Liverpool's honours list dwarfs that of City, a jibe often made by the Liverpool fans when the two clubs meet. Rating: 2/5

Current importance: This has become the most anticipated fixture in English football competitions, notably during the past 18 months, because of Liverpool's ability to get under City's skin. 

Last season, the two clubs clashed in the Champions League, Liverpool come out on top, and last term, Klopp's men also inflicted City's first league defeat. 

No other match carries more importance to the title race right now than Liverpool-City fixture. Rating: 5/5

Unpredictability: In recent meetings, Liverpool have had the edge, and perhaps, they are the only Premier League club feared by Guardiola, but City's firepower ensures that they cannot be described as underdogs when the two sides meet. Rating: 5/5

Overall rating: 12/15

1. Liverpool vs. Manchester United

The rivalry between the two most decorated clubs in English football, Liverpool and Manchester United, goes way beyond the pitch. By a distance, the two teams are English football most successful and best-supported clubs. 

When it comes to global impact, this fixture is up there with El-clasico of Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Boca Juniors vs River Plate and Celtic vs Rangers. 

For over a century, the rivalry has gone beyond football; the two cities just 35 miles apart have been competing in industry and culturally.

History: With eight European Cup/Champions League titles (Liverpool five, United three) and 38 league titles between them (United 20, Liverpool 18), it's a superpower clash when these two great teams meet. 

Liverpool dominated during the 1970s and 1980s, United took over under Ferguson during the 1990s and 2000s. Such is the rivalry that no single player has moved between the two clubs since 1964. Rating: 5/5

Current importance: Liverpool vs United is always a tense match, but it's arguably tough to make a case for it being regarded as the most important fixture of the season. 

United's recent decline from limelight has seen them drop out of contenders for the Premier League title since their last success in 2013, while Liverpool have not been champions either since 1990.

Liverpool are now enjoying a resurgence, but when it is down to the game that matters most to them and the league this season, it is the one against Manchester City and not United. Rating: 3/5

Unpredictability factor: These two sides have met 200 times in competitive games, with United winning 80 and Liverpool 65. 

When one club is in top form, it rarely dictates the outcome of games, though, with unpredictability running straight through the middle of the rivalry. Rating: 5/5

Overall rating: 13/15