EPL: Leaders Chelsea take on in-form Manchester United

Over the past 10 seasons, Chelsea and Manchester United have been the top clubs of the Premier League, winning 8 titles in the past 10 seasons between them. But the blues of London and the Reds of Manchester will put their glittery history aside, as they look to renew hostilities in their rivalry that has produced some of the most thrilling matches in Premier League history.

Saturday's much anticipated clash between these two English Giants will take place at Stamford Bridge, a venue where success has been quite a rarity for the Red Devils. Manchester United have only won twice at Stamford Bridge in their last 16 attempts, and Chelsea will look to continue their home dominance with a victory. Chelsea will also dwell on the fact that they are the only Premier League team to have a superior head to head record against United, winning 15 of their 45 matches and losing only on 13 occasions and will look to add to their stellar record on Saturday.

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal will face Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho for the third time in his career, and will look to finally get the better of his former protégé in their Premier League clash. Mourinho got the better of his mentor in their Champions League final in 2010, when his former side Inter Milan got the better of Van Gaal's Bayern Munich and lifted the title. The two have been full of praise for each other, but will keep their friendship aside when their respective teams lock horns on Saturday. 

Van Gaal will take his in-form United side to Stamford Bridge aiming to secure their first victory over the London club in eight matches. United's last victory against Chelsea came on October 28, 2012 at Stamford Bridge in a thrilling match, when Robin van Persie opened the scoring for United with two quick goals in the opening half. Juan Mata and Ramires pulled the game back for Chelsea to put the game back on level terms in the second half.

But the game quickly turned in United's favour as Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic was sent off for clipping Ashley Young at the edge of the box. Chelsea's woes weren't over yet, as Fernando Torres received a second yellow card for alleged diving. United won the match in controversial fashion as substitute Javier Hernandez netted the winner after being fractionally offside.  

United's in-form midfielder Juan Mata will be the main man to watch, as the Spaniard visits his old stomping ground since his £37 million move to Manchester United in January, 2014. Mata who was deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, will have a point to prove when he faces his former team on Saturday.

In spite of staying unbeaten since their 5-3 rout at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day, Chelsea aren't the same dominant team that saw them take the Premier League by storm in the beginning of the season. Their narrow victory against relegation-stricken QPR suggested that the Blues lack the conviction to see games through in the same dominant fashion. Since their 5-0 mauling of Swansea City in January, Chelsea have beaten their opponents by a one goal margin and have drawn on three on occasions.

United on the other hand are a completely different team since the beginning of the season. Having earned just 13 points of their opening 10 games, United were heading for yet another disastrous season. But the Red Devils turned around their have been in scintillating form since their defeat to Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium in January, having won six consecutive Premier League clashes that includes a 2-1 win away to Liverpool and a 4-2 thumping of Manchester City at home.

The corresponding fixture last season saw former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o score a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over the Red Devils and ensured the three points remained at Stamford Bridge.

The last time these two teams locked horns was back in October when Drogba scored his first Chelsea goal after returning to the London club. But United striker Robin Van Persie grabbed the headlines as he blasted in United's equaliser in the 93rd minute of the match. 

Van Persie who was instrumental in United's last victory over Chelsea and who scored the crucial equaliser the last time these two sides met, is doubtful to participate in Saturday's match. Van Persie who suffered an ankle injury against Swansea City in their league clash, is yet to recover from his injury and is likely to miss Saturday's match. Chelsea's leading scorer Diego Costa is also set to miss the clash due to injury, and will be replaced by either Loic Remy or Didier Drogba. 

A victory for Chelsea will put them firmly in the driver's seat to win their first Premier League title since 2010, as they would go 10 points clear at the top with a game in hand.

A win for United on the other hand will put them temporarily above second-placed Arsenal, who face Reading in their FA Cup semi-final clash on Saturday. Victory may also propel United to force a late title charge as they would reduce the deficit between Chelsea from eight to five points in the table. 

Kick Off: 19th April, 22:00 IST.