OCTOBER 3 — When two local football teams do battle on the pitch, the match is called a local Derby.

Every year the BPL fans salivate at some key Derby matches.

Because of the historical rivalry of teams the match is much more intense and the temperature both on the pitch and the stands goes up a few notches.

Tomorrow if you consider yourself a fan of Everton or Liverpool you won’t want to miss the match at Goodison Park. If you happen to be at the Merseyside now you will feel out of place if you don’t identify with either team. Maybe you are a MU fan incognito.

Everton only command a very small overseas following compared to their much more illustrious neighbour Liverpool.

But tomorrow those urging the blue shirts on will be millions of MU, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City and fellow champion league hopeful Spurs fans.

For decades Everton had played second fiddle to Liverpool, drawing the derision of the legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly with these famous words “In Liverpool there are only two teams worth watching, Liverpool and Liverpool B”.

For Everton officials, players and fans, that insult must be the last straw.

Hence it is even easier now to understand the heightened atmosphere when they meet on Anfield or Goodision Park.

It is not just about the three points alone but also who can walk out of the pitch after the final whistle with their heads held high and are able turn to their supporters in joint euphoria.

And will that vaunting big brothers have to swallow their pride, lick their wounds and hope to fight better another day.

There is little use surmising the outcome of the Derby match on the basis of current form or team selection.

Sir Alex Ferguson once opined “In a Derby match the form book goes out of the window”.

The dynamics of that indescribable pride adds another dimension to the match and makes prediction of score even more difficult.

But how can one conclude a discourse on a big match without prediction.

1-1 is my take.

Lukaku for the Blues in the first half. Sturridge for the Reds in the second.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.