Derby County vs Leicester City: Results, Stats & Rivalry

Few football rivalries flip the script the way this East Midlands fixture does. Derby County have historically edged Leicester City across 110 total matches, yet Leicester have won 11 of their last 13 meetings. The geography alone—Derby and Leicester sit barely 30 miles apart—explains why fans on both sides treat every encounter as something worth talking about. Here’s what the head-to-head record actually says, and what to watch for in the next chapter of the rivalry.

Head-to-Head Wins (Derby): 46 ·
Head-to-Head Wins (Leicester): 36 ·
Matches Since 1996: 33 ·
Leicester Wins Since 1996: 17 ·
Recent Form (Leicester vs Derby): Leicester 2 wins in last 3 meetings

Are Derby County and Leicester City Rivals?

The short answer is yes—and not just because of geography, though that helps. Derby and Leicester are roughly 30 miles apart in the East Midlands, making every match between them feel like a local occasion. The rivalry has its own name: the East Midlands Derby. Both sets of fans know what they’re walking into when these two clubs meet.

Historical Context

Across 110 total matches recorded in the history books, Derby County have accumulated 46 wins against Leicester City’s 36 (Wikipedia rivalry records). There have been 28 draws. Derby’s edge is real, built over more than a century of competition. But history doesn’t tell the whole story of this fixture.

• Derby County’s biggest win: 6–0 against Leicester in 1909/1910 (Football.co.uk historical records)
• Leicester City’s biggest win: 6–0 against Derby in 1914/1915
• Highest-scoring game: 5–2 to Derby in the 1928/29 season

Geographical Proximity

The clubs’ proximity is more than a talking point—it’s the engine of the rivalry. Supporters can reasonably travel to away games without a full day’s journey, which means rival fans show up in numbers. The atmosphere at Pride Park when Leicester visit, or at King Power Stadium when Derby travel, carries an edge that neutral-ground matches lack. This isn’t a manufactured rivalry; it grew from shared geography and repeated competitive contact.

Who is Derby County’s Biggest Rival?

Derby fans reserve their deepest animosity for Nottingham Forest—another East Midlands neighbour. But Leicester City consistently ranks as one of Derby’s most significant secondary rivals, and the feeling is mutual. Leicester fans recognize the Pride Park fixture as a marked occasion on their calendar.

Leicester City in Focus

For Leicester, Derby County represent the club closest in distance with comparable historical ambitions. Both clubs have chased Premier League status, both have spent time in the Championship, and both have fan bases that expect more than mid-table finishes. That shared competitive space keeps the rivalry warm even in quieter seasons.

Other Rivalries

Beyond the East Midlands triangle (Derby, Leicester, Nottingham Forest), each club maintains its own secondary rivalries—Derby with Stoke City, Leicester with Coventry City—but these don’t eclipse the regional geography that drives the primary fixture.

Is Derbyshire Close to Leicester?

Yes—Derbyshire as a county shares a direct border with Leicestershire. Derby, the city, sits approximately 30 miles northeast of Leicester. The drive takes under an hour on the A roads, and direct train connections run frequently throughout the matchday.

Travel Options

Getting from Derby to Leicester is straightforward: three primary routes cover the journey.

• Train: East Midlands Railway runs direct services, typically 30–40 minutes
• Bus: National Express and local services available, though slower
• Car: A6 and A50 connections offer a 35–45 minute drive

Distance Facts

The proximity means away fans regularly fill a significant portion of home ends. Both Pride Park and King Power Stadium routinely host vocal sections of the opposing side’s supporters, which intensifies the atmosphere and occasionally creates tension in the stands.

Derby County vs Leicester City Results and Stats

The head-to-head picture splits neatly in two: Derby’s century-plus dominance versus Leicester’s recent surge. Across 110 total matches, Derby have the overall lead. In the last decade, Leicester have flipped the script almost entirely.

Head-to-Head Record

Recent tracking data shows Leicester’s grip on the fixture tightening.

The data tracked by AiScore, WorldFootball, and SoccerPunter consistently shows Leicester outscoring Derby in recent meetings—54 goals to Derby’s 39 across the last 33 tracked matches.

The pattern is unmistakable: while Derby built their historical advantage across over a century of competition, Leicester have dominated the modern era. Derby’s 46-36 overall lead masks the reality that Leicester have won 17 of the last 33 encounters, averaging 1.6 goals per game compared to Derby’s 1.2.

Recent Matches

Recent results paint Leicester in command.

• October 2011: Leicester 4–0 Derby (Championship) (11v11 match records)
• January 2014: Leicester 4–1 Derby (Championship)
• January 2017: Derby 2–2 Leicester (FA Cup)
• October 2000: Leicester 2–1 Derby (Premier League)

“Leicester’s biggest recent statement came in October 2011 with that 4–0 thumping at Pride Park.”

Derby’s response in January 2017—a 2–2 draw in the FA Cup—was a partial recovery, but the league results consistently favour Leicester. The implication: Derby need a tactical reset to compete in this fixture, especially away from Pride Park.

Derby County vs Leicester City Prediction and Tickets

Based on current form indicators, Leicester hold the edge. However, derbies defy simple prediction logic—the emotional intensity of the fixture often tightens margins that statistics would suggest.

Match Preview

Leicester’s 1.6 goals per game against Derby in recent meetings suggests they should score if they control the match. Derby’s 12 clean sheets in Championship meetings indicate a stubborn defensive record that could frustrate Leicester if they sit deep. The outcome likely depends on who scores first and how early Leicester’s attacking rhythm develops.

“If Leicester score first, their record suggests they close out wins. If Derby hold them goalless past the 60th minute, the home crowd energy often translates to a competitive finish.”

Where to Buy Tickets

Ticket availability for the East Midlands Derby varies by competition and timing. Both clubs sell directly through their official websites, with loyalty schemes typically governing access for high-demand matches.

• Derby County: Official club channels and Pride Park box office
• Leicester City: Official club channels and King Power Stadium box office
• Secondary market: Verified resale platforms where applicable under league regulations

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Frequently asked questions

For fans planning to attend, the Pride Park and King Power Stadium environments reward those who arrive early. The East Midlands Derby delivers atmosphere regardless of where each club sits in the league table—and the head-to-head history ensures nobody walks away without something to discuss.