AI ranks the top 5 fiercest Championship rivalries | OneFootball

AI ranks the 5 rivalries that get the most heated in England's second tier

The Championship is one of the fiercest leagues in world football, with its rich history resulting in deep rivalries between fans and players alike.

With such passion in the division, it is no wonder that there are so many historic, fierce and entertaining occasions to look forward to in the Championship calendar.

The question is, can AI understand the true meaning of rivalry within the Division? We asked ChatGPT to rank the top derby days with the most at stake in England's second tier.

5 ? ? West Bromwich Albion vs Birmingham City

Kicking off our list in fifth position is the West Midlands Derby. In 28 fixtures between the sides, each team has won 11 games, drawn six and lost six. The rivalry is perfectly balanced, and fans will now have to wait until next season to see their team break the deadlock following the 1-1 and 0–0 draws this season's occasions produced.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' recent stint in the Premier League has left Birmingham as the Baggies' main rival in the division.

This rivalry has ties with the birth of the English Football League, with both clubs being founding members when the division was created in 1888. This adds another layer of fuel to the already intense occasion.

4 ? ? Portsmouth vs Southampton

Coming in fourth place is Portsmouth vs Southampton. The flame of this rivalry has been re-ignited in recent years following Southampton's relegation in 2023 after a 10-year stint in the Premier League, alongside Portsmouth's promotion back to the Championship in 2024.

The inaugural fixture occurred in 1899, in which Portsmouth defeated the Saints 2-0. There are just 19 miles between the two sides, which makes the South Coast Derby a highly anticipated contest.

Fans will have to wait for the deadlock to be broken when it comes to bragging rights, with both fixtures ending in draws this season. St Mary's hosted a 0-0 affair while Fratton Park saw a 1-1 draw.

3 ? ? Norwich City vs Ipswich Town

The East Anglian Derby is our third place and sees both sets of fans looking to claim themselves as the 'Pride of Anglia'. The first meeting between the sides occurred in 1902 and has seen 121 competitive matches take place.

The fixture has historically been an even affair, with the Canaries winning on 48 occasions and the Tractor Boys winning on 46.

This season, Ipswich defeated Norwich 3-1 at home. This ended a 16-year unbeaten streak by Norwich when playing their rivals that stretched from 2009 until 2025.

2 ? ? Millwall vs Charlton Athletic

Coming in second place is Millwall vs Charlton Athletic. A recent 4-0 victory for Millwall over Charlton in January means that there will be no debate as to who has come out on top in this rivalry this season. Coupled with a 1-1 draw earlier in the season, the Lions will be feeling confident over their South London counterparts.

Historically, the two sides first met in 1906. The rivalry has stemmed from the proximity of the South London clubs, with just four miles separating their stadiums.

The fixture has produced some high-scoring affairs, including their 4-4 draw in 2009 and The Lion's 4-3 win at The Den in 2011. It is an affair that rarely disappoints.

1 ? ? Sheffield Wednesday vs Sheffield United

Claiming the first position is the Steel City Derby between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday. This rivalry has had over 130 years of history, dating back to the 1890s when the 2 sides initially met for a friendly match on the 15th of December 1890.

The Blades have narrowly come out on top overall with 53 wins compared to Wednesday's 48. A further 47 draws round out the total 148 competitive matches between the sides.

United have also enjoyed the bulk of the bragging rights in recent years, enjoying three seasons in the top flight this decade compared to spells exclusively in the Championship and League One for Wednesday. There's also the added bonus that, in 2026, Sheffield United confirmed Wednesday's relegation back into the third-tier at Bramall Lane.