One of the more intriguing “derbies” in the Premier League takes place today at Selhurst Park. For a start, it’s not really a “local” derby in the traditional sense.
Unlike most derbies the two clubs involved — Crystal Palace and Brighton — are not that close geographically.
There is something like 70km separating their two grounds, or a roughly one-hour drive.
Yet despite the distance, it is one of the more intense rivalries in football today.
The animosity between the clubs dates back to the mid-1970s when both teams were in the old Third Division and desperate to win promotion.
In June, 1976, Palace appointed former Tottenham star Terry Venables as manager. A month later Allan Mullery, a teammate of Venables at Spurs, took over the reins at Brighton.
There was already a personal rivalry between the new managers as in their playing days, Mullery had been appointed captain of Spurs while Venables had to settle for vice-captain.
It just so happened that both Brighton and Palace were vying for promotion which added to the competitiveness between the two clubs.
The rivalry grew in that 1976-77 season as they played one another a total of five times.
In addition to the two league games, they also met in the first round of the FA Cup which went to two fiercely contested replays before Palace finally progressed.
Unhappy with refereeing decisions, Mullery was quite vocal during and after the replay defeat, heightening the tension between the teams.
It was about this time that Brighton dropped their old “Dolphins” nickname and adopted the “Seagulls” which made a more effective response on the terraces to the Palace fans shouting “Eagles”.
It became the “Battle of the Birds.”
As it turned out, in 1977 both teams won promotion and in the 1978-79 season they were at it again as they fought to get out of Division Two and into the top flight.
Once again, they both won promotion with Palace champions and Brighton runners-up.
After a couple of years, Palace were relegated while Brighton lasted four seasons in the top flight.
So it is hardly surprising the two clubs have emerged as fierce rivals and this was reflected in a 1989 match in which five penalties were awarded.
To this day, any game between the two clubs is going to be “bit of a scrap”.
Even fans find it hard to explain how the rivalry between Mullery and Venables developed into the present-day rancour.
One Brighton supporter told the Daly Mirror: “The chorus of ‘We Hate Palace’ is what I’ve grown up with.”
There are also two London derbies today with West Ham hosting Chelsea and Brentford visiting Arsenal.
With Brentford only experiencing their second season in the Premier League, there has been little time for a rivalry with Arsenal to emerge.
The Bees’ traditional rivals are fellow west London clubs Queens Park Rangers and Fulham.
Nonetheless Arsenal have not forgotten Brentford’s first game in the Premier League last season when they upset the Gunners 2-0 in a major shock.
Arsenal have since beaten the Bees twice and will be determined not to get stung today.
The West Ham v Chelsea meeting is not the fiercest rivalry in London but any fixtures between London clubs are usually fiery affairs.
With both teams desperate for points and managers David Moyes of West Ham and Graham Potter of Chelsea under intense pressure, it is unlikely there will be much “pretty football”.
The biggest derby of the week is on Monday at Anfield where Everton will be hoping they can overcome Liverpool or at least earn a point by reproducing the form that upset Arsenal.
While Juergen Klopp’s club have dominated the fixture in recent years, Liverpool are currently suffering a severe loss of form.
Everton, now under battle-hardened manager Sean Dyche, looked a different team against the league leaders last week.
Whether they can raise their performance again at Liverpool remains to be seen.
It might be difficult to predict the outcome of the Premier League derbies this week but you can be sure all the games will be hugely competitive.