The top four teams in the Premier League this season—Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City—have all been talked about in different quarters as title challengers. But Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, who will meet at Old Trafford on Sunday, have evaded such reverence.

The Red Devils should be in the mix after their summer of big spending added to a squad already packed with fine players, not to mention the appointment of serial winner Jose Mourinho. Yet United continue to struggle for a formula under the Portuguese, epitomized by some fractured recent displays.

Indeed, Tottenham look better equipped to push on at this juncture. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have only lost once in the Premier League and while they had a low key summer in comparison to their upcoming opponents, the squad is bristling with physical and energetic young players.

This match will tell us a lot about where each team stands, as they each get set to embark on crucial festive periods. Indeed, there’s a midweek schedule of fixtures following this contest, before the jam-packed Christmas schedule really kicks in.

A win in this fixture against a direct positional rival would provide crucial momentum to the victor ahead of this congested spell of the season and a confidence that can underpin a strong middle section of 2016-17. After some difficult results in recent weeks, both United and Spurs could benefit from that.

Matches between these two sides have conjured some of the most dramatic moments in the history of the Premier League and with a star cast on display, expect another fascinating segment to be added to the history of these two giants of the English game.

Where to watch the game on TV or streaming

When: Saturday, 9:15am ET / 6:15am PT
Where: NBCSN and Telemundo
Streaming: Sling Blue (free 7-day trial)

Manchester United

Mourinho looks like a man who doesn’t feel as though he can catch a break at the moment. The Portuguese slumped into his set in the dugout at Goodison Park on Sunday as his decision to introduce Marouane Fellaini into the action against Everton backfired dramatically; a penalty was conceded and two points were tossed away.

And for all the manager’s talk about how United dominated the match in an eyecatching style, there wasn’t too much to enjoy about the Red Devils’ performance. Indeed, they were disjointed and the front three of Anthony Martial, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic showed no fragments of affinity.

That’ll be a big concern for Mourinho as his team get set to go up against the meanest defense in the Premier League in Spurs. And it’ll pose an interesting tactical conundrum for a manager that typically reverts to pragmatic type in these big matches.

United could do with another attacking midfielder to complement the aforementioned trio, whether that be Wayne Rooney or Juan Mata. But that’d mean sacrificing Michael Carrick, who has expertly shielded the defense behind Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera in recent outings.

While occasionally a point can be sufficient in these games, if United are to push on and challenge for top spot, or indeed the top four sports, you sense three points are vital in this one. Heading into the Premier League weekend the Red Devils are in sixth place, 13 points back on leaders Chelsea and nine back on fourth place City.

Subsequently, Mourinho may go against his natural inhibitions and top load his team with attacking talent. But against a Tottenham side well capable of coming to Old Trafford and asserting themselves, it’d be a bold decision.

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs’ exit from the UEFA Champions League was rubber stamped on Wednesday night despite beating CSKA Moscow 3-1 at Wembley Stadium. It was an elimination that emphasizes just how important this game is on Sunday.

Indeed, despite losing Harry Kane for a spell along with last year’s Player of the Year in Toby Alderweireld, Tottenham still find themselves in contention. While United’s 13-point gap to Chelsea may look insurmountable at this point of the campaign, Spurs’ seven-point deficit is not. It’s why three points is so vital.

Spurs are definitely capable. The 5-0 win against an abject Swansea City side last weekend may have been routine, but it will have boosted the morale of the players. In addition, Tottenham showed they are adept at puffing their chest out away from home, dominating at Stamford Bridge before a moment of genius from Pedro turned the tide of the contest.

Pochettino’s men are arguably the worst kind of opponent for United too. While both XIs will be packed with physical players, Tottenham undoubtedly have an edge in terms of their work-rate; no team has covered less ground than United this season, while Spurs have only been outrun by Liverpool.

The big boost for Pochettino on the brink of this one is the return to fitness of star defender Alderweireld, who has not featured since October in the league because of injury. While Spurs have still been solid at the back in his absence, the Belgian’s ability to distribute with precision allows the Londoners to launch their attacks with increased purpose.

Tottenham have acquitted themselves well overall against the other top teams and after United’s trip to Ukraine in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, should have a physical edge in this one too. If they set standards on the road comparable to the first-half showing against Chelsea a fortnight ago, it’ll be a long afternoon for the Red Devils.

Predicted lineups:

Key battle – Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs. Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen

While there’s been plenty of negativity surrounding United so far this season, one huge positive for the Red Devils has been the form of Ibrahimovic, who continued his impressive goalscoring run with a brilliant lofted finish against Everton on Sunday.

At the moment, he’s among the best strikers in the division, although at Old Trafford he will be coming up against the stingiest defensive pair in the Premier League in Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. Spurs have conceded just 10 goals in their 14 league matches coming into this one and will be boosted by the return of the former.

A fascinating battle is undoubtedly in store. While Ibrahimovic has showcased his potency in front of goal by netting eight times already this term, he’s so crucial to United’s general play. His strength to hold defenders off, ability to bring team-mates into play and technical quality gives the Red Devils a unique outlet at the sharp end of the pitch.

Going up against someone who possesses world-class calibre will be a challenge Vertonghen and Alderweireld should relish. And if they can limit the influence of the mercurial Swede, Spurs will have an outstanding platform from which to secure a crucial win.