From the Old Firm to the Steel City: Sportsmail previews a mouth-watering weekend of derby football in the English leagues and across Europe

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As the 2017-18 football season starts to properly get into gear, so do the club rivalries which add an extra hint of spice to every division of the game.

Gloating over superior league position begins to gain a bit of extra weight, the opposition squad is confirmed until January and ready to be slated, before the two sides finally go head to head.

This weekend, across England and Europe there are five very notable derbies taking place, some geographical, some historical, some a bit of both. 

The Old Firm match between Rangers and Celtic is one of several major derbies this weekend

Rangers vs Celtic

How serious is the rivalry?

Talk about starting with a silly question. Rangers vs Celtic is one of the deadliest in world football - two sides from Glasgow who for so long shared supremacy at the top of the table, with the spectre of sectarianism usually adding a nasty edge to the proceedings. Some Celtic fans feel the rivalry has lost its edge since Rangers' liquidation in 2012 - but they won't be impressed if they lose.

Recent results

Last season saw Rangers return to the top flight after a four-year absence, and they were greeted with 5-1 defeats home and away against their neighbours. In total, Rangers picked up one point from four games against Brendan Rodgers' all-conquering Hoops. 

How have they started the season?

After beating Dundee 4-0 on Wednesday, Celtic's unbeaten domestic run now stretches to 56 games - a mind-boggling statistic even by the often lop-sided nature of the Scottish Premiership. They top the division while Rangers sit third, as they continue to recover from their Europa League humiliation by Progres Niederkorn.

Celtic have the bragging rights currently after winning 5-1 home and away last season

The all-Glasgow affair is always tempestuous on and off the pitch for multiple reasons

Star players

Going forward, Celtic have attacking options which would entice an English Premier League team, let alone a Scottish one - Patrick Roberts, Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele to name three. Rangers will look to repel them with a defence led by Euro 2016 winner Bruno Alves. 

What has been said in the build-up?

Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha insists Rodgers is wasting his time trying to ramp up the title pressure. 'Whether it's mind games depends on with whom you are playing these games,' said the Ibrox boss. 

Juventus vs Torino

How serious is the rivalry?

The 'Derby della Mole' began as a simple city rivalry, then became more serious as both sides found domestic success, then became class warfare - Juventus the club of the factory bosses, Torino that of the workers. In recent years the differing fortunes of the sides - namely Juve's Serie A dominance - has cooled tensions.

Recent results

Victory at the weekend would be Juve's 100th victory in the Turin derby - the number has shot up in recent years as the Old Lady regularly saw off Torino, whose 2-1 win on April 26, 2015 was their first derby triumph in 20 years.

The 'Derby della Mole' between Juventus and Torino is keenly fought in the city of Turin

How have they started the season?

Both are looking good domestically - Juventus have won all five league games so far, although they were humbled by Barcelona in the Champions League, while Torino have three wins and two draws so far. 

Star players

Despite losing Leonardo Bonucci to AC Milan in the summer, Juve have retained their fearsome back line featuring Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli. Aiming to break them down is Andrea Belotti, who has five goals already this campaign. 

What has been said in the build-up?

Chiellini: 'Torino are a strong team, with everything in place to go for European qualification. They have grown up a lot, they have a good coach and players at international level. As a long-time player in Turin, it's good to see that the Derby della Mole has risen so much in stature.'

Gianluigi Buffon's side are chasing their 100th victory ever against their near neighbours

Wimbledon vs MK Dons

How serious is the rivalry?

The youngest rivalry on this list - which means the wounds are sorest and the ill-feelings are keenly felt. Wimbledon supporters will never forgive how their old club was uprooted and moved to Milton Keynes. The fact the phoenix club formed in the aftermath is now in the same division as the franchise side is one of British football's great modern tales.

Recent results

Bragging rights were shared in League One last season - Wimbledon winning 2-0 at home, while the Dons triumphed 1-0 at stadium:MK. The newer side currently have the overall advantage - three wins in five meetings since the first in 2012. 

How have they started the season?

Both sides ended last year firmly in mid-table, closer to the bottom four than the play-offs, and a similar fate looks likely for both teams based on their starts. MK have 10 points from eight games, Wimbledon are only on eight points. They sit 13th and 16th respectively.

Robbie Neilson, manager of MK Dons, takes his side to rivals Wimbledon on Friday night

Star players

After the success of Dele Alli, eyes are on Milton Keynes to see who the next big breakout star could be. It could be Gboly Ariyibi, the USA youth international on loan from Nottingham Forest. Wimbledon meanwhile look to George Francomb to patrol their midfield with a rod of iron.

What has been said in the build-up?

'This group are hungry to do well for our fans and they know what it means to everybody,' said Neal Ardley, Wimbledon manager. 'I expect them to go out and deliver everything they've got and let's hope that's good enough. '

Sheffield Wednesday vs Sheffield United

How serious is the rivalry?

In a city with a changing identity, and with two clubs punching below their historical weight, the Steel City derby is one which, for a weekend at least, divides families, friends and workplaces straight down the middle.

Recent results

The Blades' longer-than-expected stay in League One means this fixture has not been played since 2012 when they met in the third tier, and not in the second division since two years prior. Wednesday have held bragging rights for the last half a decade, beating United 1-0 in their last meeting.

The first Steel City derby since 2012 will be played when Sheffield Wednesday take on United

How have they started the season?

The Blades are continuing their impressive ascent under Chris Wilder, the newly promoted side sit sixth and two points off the top of the Championship after eight games. The Owls - expected to challenge for promotion after two near misses and some heavy spending - are two points back in ninth.

Star players

Both sides are well endowed when it comes to strikers, and it could come down to which of Billy Sharp or Jordan Rhodes remembers their shooting boots. It would be headline grabbing if Ched Evans - given the events of the five years since the last derby - were to make an impact for United.

What has been said in the build-up?

Ahead of a feisty affair, the United board has criticised a section of their own fans after crowd trouble against Norwich and Middlesbrough this season. 'We simply will not tolerate the unsportsmanlike and illegal conduct of a few to spoil things for the large majority,' a strongly worded statement read.

West Ham United vs Tottenham Hotspur

How serious is the rivalry?

As with all the rivalries between the top four London clubs - Arsenal, Chelsea and the two mentioned above - there is needle and ill-feeling. That said, defeat can't be taken too harshly as there will probably be another derby to look forward to in a month's time.

West Ham ended rivals Tottenham's title bid last season thanks to Manuel Lanzini's winner

Recent results

West Ham's 1-0 win at the London Stadium last season was extra sweet, as it effectively ended Spurs' faint Premier League title dreams. Tottenham last won away to the Hammers in 2014, and with their home form such an issue, they could do with a victory.

How have they started the season?

Tottenham have opened with eight points from their first five league games, with two away wins making up for a pair of draws and a defeat at Wembley. West Ham are 17th with only four points, with the pressure still on manager Slaven Bilic. 

Harry Kane will be the focal point for Spurs as they look to gain revenge on their London rivals

Star players

Harry Kane's inclusion on the FIFPro player of the year long list - the only Englishman to be named - is another indication that he can be more easily called world class than ever before. For West Ham, the return of Andy Carroll to fitness means they should have extra bite up front.

What has been said in the build-up?

Bilic showed his squad clips of last season’s win in the hope it triggers deja vu and they can inflict another defeat: 'They’ve been there on the pitch, it happened and that’s a good thing. We all remember those performances. The fans, the players and everyone involved talks for months after the games.’