El Clasico, De Klassieker, Derby della Capitale! Are you ready for Sunday’s derby bonanza?

Seb Sternik
19 March 2022

Julian Alvarez, Jose Mourinho and Karim Benzema

A quick look at Sunday’s fixtures will unveil a host of mouth-watering derby games. Planet Sport takes a look at the 15 matches in chronological order… in case you're crazy enough to watch them all!

Most of the noise this weekend will be around El Classico. That shouldn't come as a surprise - after all, it is one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.

However, there's a lot more derby action where that came from. In fact, it seems like league organisers from across the world were in cahoots, as some of the biggest rivalries in football have 'coincidentally' landed on the same day.

Here, we take a look at all of Sunday's big derby games. And in case you wanted to plan your day out, we've put them in chronological order.

01:00 GMT: Tigres UANL vs Monterrey (Clasico Regiomontano)

Mexican football made worldwide headlines a fortnight ago as a number of fans - unconfirmed reports suggest the number is around 17 - lost their lives in a riot which took place during a top tier match between Queretaro and Atlas.

Football authorities in the country will be looking to avoid another tragedy when one of the biggest derbies in Mexico kicks off on Sunday.

Tigres UANL and Monterrey are cross-town rivals and have been going head-to-head since 1973. Considering both teams have started the new season well, another intense encounter is expected.

12:00 GMT: AS Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain

Ok, this isn't exactly a long-standing rivalry like others on this list, but it's still worth a mention.

AS Monaco were promoted to Ligue 1 in 2013 and in their first season back, they finished second - nine points away from title winners PSG. For the next four years, the two clubs built a serious rivalry as they battled on the domestic and European fronts.

Following the departures of key players - including Kylian Mbappe who moved to PSG - Monaco lost momentum and since 2018 they have failed to reach those same heights.

Despite that, the south-coast side are rebuilding and this weekend's game will give us an indication to how close they truly are to the elite. Plus, with PSG enduring some tough moments lately, they will also be targeting a strong performance.

13:30 GMT: Ajax vs Feyenoord (De Klassieker)

The biggest game on the Dutch football calendar takes place this Sunday as Ajax welcome Feyenoord for the 199th edition of De Klassieker.

This is not just a rivalry between two football teams, but between two of the country's major cities. In fact, nothing encapsulates the rivalry more than the Dutch saying: "While Amsterdam dreams, Rotterdam works".

It is a saying which portrays the differences between Amsterdam's culturalism and Rotterdam's working-class ethics.

But if cultural differences weren't enough, there are also major title implications. A win for Ajax will keep them top of the table. However, should they lose, they could open the door for PSV in what is quickly becoming an enthralling race for the championship.

15:30 GMT: Grasshoppers vs FC Basel

Similarly to De Klassieker, this is also a fixture which represents a battle between two major Swiss cities.

Grasshoppers, who represent the city of Zurich, are the most successful club in the country having won 26 league titles. However, considering their last triumph came in 2003, derby wins have become a lot more important for the supporters.

Basel, who are second on that list with 20 league titles, are unbeaten in this fixture in 14 consecutive meetings. What's more, with the team chasing a place in Europe, and Grasshoppers intent on throwing a spanner in the works, we could be in for a fiery derby.

16:00 GMT: Rapid Vienna vs Austria Vienna (Wiener derby)

The city of Vienna will be rocking this weekend as two of Austria's most successful clubs clash at the Allianz Stadion.

Rapid Vienna, who are largely supported by the working classes, and Austria Vienna, who are regarded as the team of the bourgeois, have won more silverware than any other club in the country.

What's more, they were the only two Austrian sides to have never suffered relegation - both competing in the top flight since 1911.

With a Champions League qualifying place at stake this Sunday, prepare for fireworks in the capital.

16:30 GMT: Tottenham vs West Ham (London derby)

We go from one city derby to another as Tottenham and West Ham battle over bragging rights in London.

In truth, there is a lot more riding on this game than just that. Both sides are still within touching distance of the top four and a win would significantly boost their Champions League hopes.

West Ham experienced a great atmosphere last Thursday against Sevilla, and they can expect the same when they make thr short trip across to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

17:00 GMT: AS Roma vs Lazio (Derby della Capitale)

If there's one thing the Italians love, it's an inter-city derby. Milan, Turin and Rome derbies are some of the greatest fixtures in the sport, and over the years they have provided many memorable moments.

The history of the Rome derby is particularly interesting. AS Roma were created as a result of a merger, instigated by the country's dictator Benito Mussolini who wanted one Roman club. Lazio were the only club to resist and the rivalry was born.

This weekend, the focus is very much on closing the gap to the top four. Both clubs are still within touching distance of Champions League places, but a defeat would almost certainly end those hopes.

17:00 GMT: Rosario Central vs Newells Old Boys (Rosario derby)

Incredibly, there are three major derbies taking place in Argentina on the same day.

The fun begins with the Rosario derby which is considered to be the most important match outside of Buenos Aires.

Similarly to the aforementioned Clasico Regiomontano, both teams are crosstown rivals, away from the capital city and with incredibly passionate fans.

If bragging rights wasn't enough motivation, both teams could do with a win after enduring a mixed start to the season.

17:30 GMT: AEK vs PAOK (Double-headed eagles derby)

Rivalries often stem from differences between clubs. For instance, differences in size, budget, history and culture. However, AEK Athens and PAOK Thessaloniki don't exactly follow that trend.

Both these clubs have the same roots, both were built by refugees from Constantinople, both came to existence after the Greco-Turkish war and both use the same emblem - the double headed eagle.

This fixture never provided too much conflict in the stands - that is, until 2017. Since that year, both clubs have battled for silverware on numerous occasions and the hostilities have been on the rise.

19:00 GMT: Flamengo vs Vasco da Gama (Classico dos Milhoes)

We're heading back to South America for our next two derbies, starting with a much-anticipated clash between Flamengo and Vasco da Gama.

The two Rio de Janeiro clubs are among the most supported in Brazil, which has led this fixture to be known as the Derby of Millions.

Apart from being one of the biggest games in Brazilian football, this is also a cup semi-final. Flamengo hold a 1-0 lead following their win in the first leg.

19:15 GMT: Gimnasia La Plata vs Estudiantes (La Plata derby)

The second of Argentina's triple-header comes from the city of La Plata.

Estudiantes and Gimnasia have been going head-to-head since 1916 with many regarding this as one of the country's most fiercely contested matches.

As things stand, Estudiantes are top of the standings heading into Sunday. However, the home side will be intent of derailing their progress.

19:45 GMT: Marseille vs Nice (Derby de la Mediterranee)

French police tend to identify this fixture as 'high-risk' and if you don't know why, let me remind you of what happened when Marseille and Nice met back in August.

Their Ligue 1 encounter was suspended and had to be replayed at a later date, following a mass brawl between players, staff and the supporters. The chaos ensued after Nice supporters pelted Marseille's Dimitri Payet with projectiles as he attempted to take a corner.

Considering the level of violence in Ligue 1 this season, don't be surprised if all hell breaks loose again. With that in mind, this is definitely a fixture to keep your eye on.

20:00 GMT: Real Madrid vs Barcelona (El Clasico)

Without doubt, the biggest game of the weekend will be the 249th instalment of El Clasico.

Real Madrid are powering towards the La Liga title, and it would take an extraordinary turn of form in order to change that.

However, Barcelona can certainly sour their success with a derby win at Santiago Bernabeu. This may not be the Barca of old, but they have certainly improved under Xavi and could give Los Blancos a run for their money.

22:00 GMT: River Plate vs Boca Juniors (Superclasico)

If El Clasico wasn't enough, how about the Superclasico?

While footballing wise it may not live up to the billing of Real vs Barca, culturally this is arguably one of the biggest fixtures on the globe.

Back in 2004, The Observer encapsulated this match, saying: "Derby day in Buenos Aires makes the Old Firm game look like a primary school kick-about."

Both teams have only lost one game this season so expect a close - and intense - encounter in the Argentine capital.

23:00 GMT: Olimpia vs Marathon (El Clasico Nacional)

El Classico? Check. Superclasico? Check. El Clasico Nacional? Oh go on then!

We finish the list with the biggest game in Honduras. The National Classic, as it's known in English, is a match contested by the two clubs from the two biggest cities in the country - Olimpia (from Tegucigalpa) and Marathon (from San Pedro Sula).

We're still in the early stages of the season, but with Olimpia at the top of the table, Marathon will be intent on knocking their rivals off their perch.