Arsenal vs. Tottenham and the 10 Fiercest Rivalries in the Premier League

The North London Derby was about a week ago, but we're not done with it yet.

Today we're listing the 10 fiercest rivalries in the English Premier League. Yes, Arsenal-Spurs will be involved prominently.

Who else makes the cut? You'll have to read on to find out. But, first, here are a couple of disclaimers.

First, we only considered rivalries that currently have both teams in the English Premier League. If one or both teams are playing in a lower division, the rivalry isn't here.

That eliminated Aston Villa-Brum, Millwall-West Ham, Sheffield United-Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn-Burnley and a host of others.

Second, each rivalry's teams are listed in alphabetical order. Really, we're not trying to slight your team by listing them second.

Ready? Let's get started.

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10. Chelsea-Tottenham Hotspur

The Premiership has a load of London clubs, and all of them have rivalries with one another. Chelsea-Spurs makes the list because the two clubs have been playing each other at the highest level for so long.

Chelsea leads the all-time series, 53-43, with 31 draws.

9. Arsenal-Chelsea

This rivalry received a boost in the early and mid-2000's, when Arsenal and Chelsea both won league titles.

Ashley Cole's move across town didn't ease tensions, either.

Arsenal holds a distinct edge in the all-time series, 61-44, with 44 draws.

8. Chelsea-Manchester United

This rivalry really took off when Jose Mourinho managed Chelsea. The Portuguese manager often out-maneuvered Sir Alex Ferguson and led the Blues to league titles in 2005 and 2006.

Chelsea also topped United in the 2007 FA Cup final. United beat Chelsea in the 1994 Cup final.

United leads the series, 58-40-42.

7. West Bromwich Albion-Wolverhampton Wanderers

The West Brom-Wolves rivalry dates to the 19th century, and these days the authorities take the appropriate precautions when the teams meet—by closing down local pubs.

Besides being fierce, this rivalry is extremely close. West Brom leads the series with 54 wins, the Wolves have won 52 times and there have been 40 draws.

What's more, it has one of the coolest names in Britain: The Black Country Derby. We're pretty intimidated already.

6. Newcastle United-Sunderland

Newcastle and Sunderland lie about 10 miles apart in the North East of England. The cities have maintained a long-standing rivalry, and football clubs that bear their names have been playing since 1883.

Like any great rivalry, the Tyne-Wear Derby has featured plenty of bad blood and a pitch invasion or two.

Newcastle leads the series,51-41, with 41 draws. The latest edition comes this weekend.

5. Manchester City-Manchester United

The Manchester Derby is huge now because both teams are challenging for the title. But it was heated before, when only half of Manchester could follow a title race.

Back in the 70's, United legend George Best tackled City's Glyn Pardoe so hard that Pardoe almost lost his leg. As it was, he suffered a double fracture while the referee waved play on.

A few years later, two players were sent off—one from each team—but refused to leave the pitch.

And don't forget about the Denis Law game, or City's humiliation of United this season at Old Trafford.

United leads the all-time series, 67-44-50.

4. Arsenal-Manchester United

Already a fierce rivalry, Arsenal-Manchester United has gone into overdrive in the Premiership era.

There was the Battle of Old Trafford (video at left) in 2003, which resulted in FA fines for several players from both clubs.

Then there was the Battle of the Buffet (AKA Pizzagate) the following year.

And, of course, this year there was the 8-2 beatdown at Old Trafford.

Other notable incidents include the 1979 FA Cup final and Arsenal's title-clinching win at Old Trafford in 2002.

Manchester United holds a 77-67-42 edge in the all-time series.

3. Everton-Liverpool

Everton and Liverpool have combined for 27 league titles—18 for Liverpool and nine for Everton.

Liverpool beat Everton 3-2 in the 1989 FA Cup final and 3-1 in the 1986 final. For several seasons in the 1980's, the winner of the two Merseyside Derbies also won the league. One of these two teams won the league every year from 1982-88.

In 2009, The Daily Mail wrote this about the rivalry:

"

Liverpool FC was created out of the ashes of Everton who left Anfield for Goodison Park after a rent dispute in 1892.

The fact that Goodison is less than one mile from Anfield simply adds fuel to a fire that rages on the banks of the Mersey.

"

Liverpool leads the all-time series, 71-57-57.

2. Arsenal-Tottenham Hotspur

Last weekend was just the latest example of how exciting the North London Derby can be. The two clubs are literally right down the street from each other, and their fans despise each other.

Arsenal leads the all-time series, 61-48-41, with 13 titles to Spurs' two. But that doesn't do anything to quench the hatred.

Every time the clubs meet, they feel the need to ask fans to behave themselves. And you can ask Sol Campbell how necessary, yet unheeded, those requests are.

1. Liverpool-Manchester United

If you have to ask why, what are you doing here?

Liverpool-Manchester United is the biggest, most heated rivalry in England. United leads the all-time series, 61-53-44, and holds a 19-18 edge in titles. But Liverpool has won five European titles to United's three.

The two cities aren't far apart on the map, but their fans couldn't have any less in common. United fans often chant about a tragedy in Liverpool's past, and Liverpool fans have been known for some crazy acts of their own.

Whenever these teams meet, something always happens—as Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra showed earlier this season.