South-eastern English football clubs Luton Town and Watford have been rivals since their respective formations in the late 19th century.

[3] The clubs are respectively from Luton, Bedfordshire, and Watford, Hertfordshire, and for this reason a match between the two teams is sometimes called a "Beds–Herts Derby".

The first recorded game between both teams took place on 5 December 1885, when Watford Rovers beat Luton Town 1–0 in a friendly match at Vicarage Meadow.

The two clubs met competitively for the first time in the third round qualifying of the 1898–99 FA Cup on 29 October 1898 at Dunstable Road.

The animosity between the clubs, both players and fans, intensified during the late 1960s and the 1970s, and reached a peak during the 1980s, when both teams played in the top-flight First Division.

The first match between the two clubs can be dated to 5 December 1885, as Watford Rovers hosted Luton Town in a friendly.

The first competitive meeting of the two clubs came on 29 October 1898, as Luton drew against Watford in the 1898–99 FA Cup third qualifying round.

[13] Luton were relegated to the Fourth Division a year later, with Watford winning both matches held over a two-day period at Christmas.

This led to the crowd violence associated with the fixture growing in prominence, and Watford won the first league clash with Luton that season 1–0 at Vicarage Road.

The return match at Kenilworth Road was originally intended to take place on Boxing Day, but was abandoned due to fog with the game tied at 1–1.

The match at Kenilworth Road on 28 April 1984 intensified the rivalry even further, as despite Watford's 2–1 victory, captain Wilf Rostron was sent off after a series of goading tackles from Luton players; meaning that he would miss the 1984 FA Cup Final.

During the 1997–98 season, Watford finished as Champions of the third-tier Second Division and won 4–0 at Kenilworth Road along the way, with all four goals coming within the first 32 minutes of play.

A League Cup meeting at Vicarage Road on 10 September 2002 was marred by hooliganism and saw fighting in Watford town centre, railway station and approaches to the football ground before the match.

Before the game, Luton fans invaded the pitch several times leading to the kick-off being delayed by 15 minutes.

[15] After the game, prosecutions were brought against 29 supporters; 25 from Luton, some of whom were banned from all football grounds for life, and four from Watford.

[17] In the reverse fixture at Kenilworth Road on 17 April 2021, Luton won the game 1–0 with a penalty from James Collins (78').

[18] Watford were promoted back to the Premier League at the end of the season, temporarily placing the rivalry on hold.

Watford won the fixture 4–0 which saw goals from Keinan Davis (3'), William Troost-Ekong (45'), João Pedro (57') and Ismaïla Sarr (79').

Luton's Gabriel Osho performed a late challenge on Ken Sema which saw him get a straight red card (83').

The reverse fixture took place at Kenilworth Road on 1 April 2023 and saw a 2–0 Luton win, with goals from Gabe Osho (28') and Allan Campbell (90+1').

[20] Luton were promoted to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs at the end of the 2022–23 season, placing the rivalry on hold.

Luton secured a decisive 3–0 victory over their rivals, with goals from Jordan Clark (11'), Carlton Morris (47'), and a stoppage-time strike by Jacob Brown (90+1').