Who Will Challenge Manchester United? Crunch Time for Liverpool and Chelsea

Manchester United are at the top of the Premier League and, with a game in hand, look to be the team to beat. This weekend, Liverpool and Chelsea play each other for the right to be United's main challenger.

The last time the teams met, at Stamford Bridge in October, Liverpool ran out 1-0 winners after a deflected shot from Xabi Alonso ended up being the only goal of the game.

The three points gained from that match took Liverpool to the top of the league, ahead of their London rivals. Manchester United have since been in fine form and have usurped both teams to become favourites for the title. 

However, on Sunday, neither Liverpool nor Chelsea will be thinking about anything but the game at hand. Both teams can hugely dent the others chances by beating them, especially if Aston Villa can beat Wigan. The loser will end the weekend in fourth position.  

Liverpool and Chelsea haven't frequented each other quite as much as they did when Mourinho was in charge at Stamford Bridge; he led Chelsea against their Merseyside rivals 16 times—an incredible number when you remember he was in charge for a little over three seasons.

The edge in the games between these teams, which was lacking when Avram Grant managed, and since Phil Scolari took over, may return on Sunday.

Benitez and Scolari, the two current bosses, have both encountered criticism this season. Rafa used his press conference today to remind the world that, "If we win against Chelsea, it will be different," when asked how he was dealing with the opinions being expressed about him.

One feels that both Benitez and Scolari will be free from any negative comment if their team wins at Anfield.

Some feel United will win the Premiership this year and are still a few months from becoming 'undisputed' champions.

With that title still to be decided, at least this weekend we will discover who will be the No. 1 contender for the remainder of the season.