Saturday marks the renewal of arguably the biggest rivalry of the Premier League era, when Chelsea hosts Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. It will mark the end of a five-game run for the visitors against several of their biggest adversaries – both longtime and modern – a run which began right after their most recent loss, in the FA Cup quarterfinals to Arsenal.

Following that home defeat to the Gunners, United refused to cave in with a fundamental 3-0 win over Tottenham, who had won on their last two trips to Old Trafford. Then came an always-intimidating trip to Anfield, which ended with another Red Devils’ win. Last week saw United win a Manchester Derby at home for the first time since Wayne Rooney’s incredible bicycle kick in 2011. Through 32 games, Louis van Gaal’s charges sit third in the Premier League, four points ahead of City (the difference between third and fourth in the league meaning an automatic spot in the Champions League group stage, or competing in the play-off round).

Following Sunday’s win, several Sky Sports pundits offered their views on the Red Devils’ recent form, including former United captain Gary Neville, who said he thought the club could get seven points from the games against Spurs, Liverpool, City, & Chelsea. The club has nine from those matches, with one still to come.

Chelsea, meanwhile, remain in the driver’s seat for a first EPL title since 2010. The Blues have only lost twice in the league all season, although they suffered disappointing results at home in both the Champions League and the FA Cup. Jose Mourinho and company were very close to picking up a win in Manchester earlier this season, only to be denied three points by Robin van Persie. Playing in front of a home crowd will likely have a major impact in how Saturday’s match goes.

It’s the end of a daunting stretch for Manchester United, one they have smoothly navigated so far. Will that form continue at Stamford Bridge?