Do you support West Bromwich Albion? They have fierce rivalries with Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City, and Stoke City, as you will then be aware. These bitter rivalries have existed for many years and have produced some of the most heated games in the English football season. But that’s not all; this article will go over some more significant rivals that West Bromwich Albion has.
So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready to learn about West Bromwich Albion’s fiercest rivalries!
Aston Villa
There is no denying the intense rivalry between West Brom and Aston Villa; it has existed for a long time. The rivalry between the two teams, which are both from the West Midlands, has been fierce since the late 1800s, despite the fact that there is only five miles of territory between them. More than 150 competitive games between the Baggies and the Villans have taken place, all of which were hotly contested.
Early in the new millennium, when both teams were frequently vying for promotion to the Premier League, the rivalry was at its most heated. With victories in four of their last six games, West Brom has had the advantage recently. The rivalry excites both groups of supporters, and the games have frenetic energy. This is one of the most heated rivalries in English football, and it will undoubtedly continue to be a regular event for many years to come.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
WBA and Wolves have a long history of rivalry. Since their first encounter in 1883, both teams, which are from the West Midlands, have been bitter rivals. Since Wolves’ promotion to the Premier League in 2009–10 season, their rivalry has been especially heated. This has resulted in some intense games between the two teams, with each side putting everything they had into winning.
The rivalry has only intensified as a result of the two teams’ participation in numerous cup competitions. The fans of the two teams still harbour a strong dislike for one another even when their teams are not competing against one another. As both teams strive to outdo one another, this rivalry is certain to endure in the upcoming years.
Birmingham City
The rivalry has only intensified as a result of the two teams’ participation in numerous cup competitions. The fans of the two teams still harbour a strong dislike for one another even when their teams are not competing against one another. As both teams strive to outdo one another, this rivalry is certain to endure in the upcoming years. The two sides have contested several matches in the FA Cup and League Cup since the 2000s, with the results often being close-fought and unpredictable.
These games have frequently ended in victories for Birmingham City, which has increased hostility between the two clubs. This is particularly true when the two teams compete in the Black Country derby, where the victorious team receives a barrage of support from its supporters and neighbours. West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City’s rivalry is guaranteed to last for years to come, and it’s always fun to watch their games.
Stoke City
Football fans never fail to be entertained by Stoke City’s games because of their intense rivalry with Wolves. Stoke City is another team from the Midlands. Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion have a protracted rivalry, and tensions are often high when the two clubs compete. The rivalry between the two sides dates back to the 1950s, and it has been ongoing ever since. In more than 100 competitive encounters between the two teams, Stoke City has the advantage because they have taken home more victories than West Bromwich Albion.
Despite this, both teams have experienced their share of success, with West Bromwich Albion earning a historic FA Cup victory in 2018. The two sides have a history of producing exciting contests, with some games coming down to the smallest of margins. With both teams eager to establish their superiority, the competition between West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City will definitely intensify in the years to come.
Coventry City
Due to their close proximity, Coventry City and Birmingham City have a fierce rivalry that is frequently referred to as the “Second City Derby.” This rivalry has existed for a long time and is frequently regarded as one of the fiercest in English football. The bulk of the previous meetings between West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City ended in draws.
But compared to earlier, there is less hostility between the two factions. However, whenever the two teams compete, there is still a noticeable level of antagonism. Because of their blue uniforms, Coventry City is frequently referred to as “The Sky Blues” by West Bromwich Albion supporters. This is always a reliable indicator of how fiercely the two teams compete.
Other notable rivalries involving West Bromwich Albion
Did you know that West Bromwich Albion has big rivalries with Leicester City and Nottingham Forest in addition to Coventry City, their primary rival? These two teams have been in a long-standing rivalry, which is still present today. If you’re at the stadium or on the field when West Bromwich Albion plays either Leicester City or Nottingham Forest, you can expect a thrilling match.
Leicester City
One of West Bromwich Albion’s main rivals is Leicester City, and the two teams have played some tight games in the past. Since their first encounter in the English FA Cup in 1904, the two teams have been facing one another. Since then, the rivalry has intensified and more than 50 intense games have pitted the two teams against one another. The most famous contest between the teams was a 4-3 victory for Leicester in the 2009–10 Premier League, in which Leicester overcame two goals down to win.
2018’s Championship game ended in a 0-0 stalemate, which was the most recent game. Both teams have seen success over the years, with West Bromwich Albion winning the FA Cup in 1968 and Leicester winning the Premier League in 2016. The rivalry between West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City still exists today, despite their recent ups and downs, and it continues to delight fans of both teams.
Nottingham Forest
Another historical opponent of West Bromwich Albion is Nottingham Forest. The two teams have engaged in countless championship battles during the course of their long-standing rivalry. Both teams have had success in the past; West Brom has won the FA Cup five times, while Forest won the European Cup in 1979 and 1980. The two teams have also played in a number of noteworthy matches, including the 3-3 FA Cup stalemate in 1987 and West Brom’s 5-2 League Cup victory in 1990.
With competitive matches in the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup, the rivalry between the two teams grew over the last few decades. Despite this, the rivalry is viewed as friendly, and both teams continue to be courteous to one another. It is a rivalry that has lasted through many generations and will keep football fans entertained for a very long time
Conclusion
In this article, you’ve experienced some of the greatest competitions West Bromwich Albion has ever engaged in. Some of the greatest rivalries have been between Albion and their nearby neighbours, ranging from Aston Villa to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City to Stoke City. Not to mention Coventry City, with whom the Baggies have long-standing animosity. It is obvious that West Bromwich Albion and these teams have had some fierce rivalries over the years, and these teams have given the fans many wonderful memories.
