The quality of both sides was apparent in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford earlier this month when Gianfranco Zola snatched a point for the Londoners after Cole had given United the lead.

Andy Cole put United ahead at Old Trafford

Managers Gianluca Vialli and Alex Ferguson were keen to keep their respective line-ups to themselves for as long as possible in an attempt to gain a tactical advantage.

United have the comfort of knowing they have not lost at Chelsea in their last five visits and scored 14 times. They are boosted by the return of defender Gary Neville from suspension.

"Our record at Chelsea has been brilliant and we have been excellent down there - just like they have been up here at Old Trafford. We've always threatened to score goals down there and I hope that continues," said Ferguson.

"It will be a smashing match and I think it has some significance for the title race in that whoever wins will be doing handstands. "It's important for us that we win it."

Ferguson is hopeful that Cole could return to the side after sitting out the 3-0 Boxing Day win over Nottingham Forest.

"He felt his groin before the Forest game and at this time of year with groin injuries, you have to be careful," he said.

Gustavo Poyet: 11 goals this season

Chelsea reaped the benefits of their large squad when they won 2-0 at Southampton on Saturday despite the absence of Dennis Wise, Marcel Desailly, Graeme Le Saux, Roberto di Matteo and Pierluigi Casiraghi.

But the loss of Uruguayan midfielder Poyet following a poor tackle by Southampton's Patrick Colleter took some of the shine off the result, which took them to the top of the Premiership table.

Desailly, who has missed four games with a knee problem, was on the bench but Di Matteo and Le Saux were both recalled.

With Gianfranco Zola and Tore Andre Flo in fine form Vialli chose to leave himself out of the starting eleven.