The coming Premier League weekend closes with a bang, in the form of Chelsea playing host to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in Sunday's 4pm kickoff.

It may not be receiving the same build-up as 'Red Monday' (or should that be Dead Monday), but the coming clash between the Blues and the Red Devils could have huge significance in this season's title race, with both clubs stuck outside the Premier League's top four and desperate to slingshot themselves to the front of the pack.

There's also a number of intriguing subplots that are impossible to overlook, namely Jose Mourinho returning to the club he brought unrivalled success to but left on acrimonious terms halfway through last season - just a matter of months after lifting the Premier League title.

With pragmatic managers in either dugout, it looks set to be an incredibly tight match that could well be decided by which side dominates the key individual battles. We've taken a look at four that will have the biggest impact on Sunday's result.

PAUL POGBA VS NEMANJA MATIC

Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba's return to Old Trafford has left much to be desired so far, but the France international turned it on against Fenerbahce yesterday evening with a brace in the Europa League.

It remains to be seen if he'll return to deep-lying midfield or be deployed as a No.10 after his unspectacular showing against Liverpool on Monday night.

But either way, Chelsea's Nemanja Matic is the only Blues midfielder who can match the world-record signing in terms of physicality and will have to be prepared to do so when the sides kick off this weekend.

That could create a few dilemmas for the Serbian, who now finds himself in more of a box-to-box role as part of Chelsea's 3-4-3 formation.

DIEGO COSTA VS DAVID DE GEA

Chelsea v Leicester City - Premier League

The Premier League's top scorer versus arguably the best shot-stopper in world football.

Indeed, Diego Costa appears to have mellowed out somewhat under Antonio Conte, focusing on his football to rise to the top of the Premier League's goal charts with seven in eight appearances.

He's Chelsea's likeliest route to scoring on Sunday and only needs a half-chance to find the net.

But De Gea remains one of the best goalkeeping talents around and showed how influential he is on United's results with two world-class saves against Liverpool on Monday night.

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC VS DAVID LUIZ

Zlatan

David Luiz has found a new lease of life as the central man in Chelsea's back three, regularly marauding into midfield to distribute the ball with accuracy and drive.

Stepping up to become the extra man in the engine room could be vital on Sunday, with United expected to employ a three-man midfield and surrender the majority of possession to the home side.

That being said, the Brazilian's questionable defensive abilities will be tested by Manchester United frontman and former PSG team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swede will be desperate to get on the score sheet after missing the best chance of the match against Liverpool and his prior association with Luiz makes this a very intriguing battle.

ANTONIO CONTE VS JOSE MOURINHO

Antonio Conte v Hull

The pragmatism of both managers was alluded to in the introduction and could well result in Sunday's match turning into a bit of a stalemate.

That will certainly be Jose Mourinho's plan; he's always been more than happy to take a point away from home and will be determined not to lose face to his former employers; so Conte's biggest task is making sure United don't drown the game out before it truly gets going.

At the same time, however, both managers are great tactical thinkers and entering the game with two very different formations, 3-4-3 compared to 4-2-3-1, we could see a real clash of ideas at Stamford Bridge.

The result could well be decided by which manager reacts to those tactical juxtapositions the best.