Louis van Gaal told us all the other day that Manchester United were contenders.

Today he may just have been proved right, with his side back on top of the Premier League for the first time since August 2013… 770 days ago.

And, while Chelsea are the current champions, they’ve been hit and miss so far this season… which leads us to this evening’s vote - who will finish higher, Chelsea or Manchester United? You can vote on this page.

Image source, .

Just in case you are all writing this game off as a Chelsea win - and who would blame you - here's a stat that might make you think twice...

Newcastle United have won their last three Premier League home games against Chelsea, so can they cause another shock? 

Chelsea right-back Branislav Ivanovic has had his critics this season but he leads the Blues out at St James' Park this evening. Kick-off is approaching folks... 

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Football Focus

 "Why do you think Alan Pardew left? He saw it coming. I think they will stick with Steve McClaren because you sack the manager and it doesn't work, they just keep sinking and sinking and sinking."

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

There is trouble in the north east with Newcastle are second-from-bottom of the top flight with their rivals Sunderland the only team below them.

"There’s not been much to get optimistic about for Newcastle or Sunderland. It’s a very miserable time for both clubs," The Telegraph’s North East reporter Luke Edwards told BBC Radio 5 live last night.

"The key difference is Sunderland expected a relegation battle but with Newcastle, Mike Ashley promised they’d have a go at things this season and there was positivity that something had changed. That’s vanished. 

"It’s made it worse because Newcastle fans thought this season was going to be different. But it’s worse than ever. There’s usually a honeymoon period but that hasn’t happened."

Kevin Kilbane
Former Republic of Ireland player on BBC Football Focus

"This summer Newcastle spent £50m – they had to spend at least that to get them back to a level they were at five or six years ago. But they’re nowhere near that level. A few of their foreign signings won’t have experienced what it’s like to play at St James’ Park when they’re losing."

Chelsea will have to make do without striker Diego Costa after he was retrospectively punished by the Football Association and banned for three games after clashing with Laurent Koscielny in last week's win over Arsenal. So, how much will the Blues miss him...

Image source, .

Image source, .

Do you read Mark Lawrenson's predictions every week and think you could do better? Here's your chance.

Play our Premier League Predictor game here.

Aleksandar Mitrovic returns to lead the Newcastle attack after his three-match suspension. Rookie defender Kevin Mbabu, 20, makes his first start for the Magpies after coming off the bench to make his debut in the midweek Capital One Cup defeat by Sheffield Wednesday

Starting XI: Krul, Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Mbabu, Sissoko, Anita, Colback, Wijnaldum, Perez, Mitrovic

Subs: Elliot, Williamson, Lascelles, Obertan, Thauvin, de Jong, Toney

Image source, BBC Sport/Opta

Chelsea make only one change from their win against Arsenal last week. Diego Costa starts his three-game ban so Loic Remy comes in up front. John Terry stays on the bench, as does Radamel Falcao.

Starting XI: Begovic, Ivanovic, Zouma, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas, Pedro, Oscar, Hazard, Remy.

Subs: Blackman, Terry, Mikel, Ramires, Willian, Kenedy, Falcao

Image source, BBC Sport/Opta

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was in the same under-pressure boat as Steve McClaren recently but a win over London rivals Arsenal last week helped him out in a big way.

The reigning champions will hope to build on that at Newcastle this evening but Jose will have to do something he has never done before - win at St James' Park.

According to Magpies boss Steve McClaren, things aren't at crisis point yet following a poor start to the season but they're getting there - and fast.

So, can McClaren halt his side's slide and ease the pressure on his shoulders? If the Magpies want to do that be getting three points, McClaren's side will have to do something they have yet to do in six attempts so far this season and that is win a league game.

Image source, Reuters

Hello, is that the Football Folk in Trouble (FFIT) hotline? Yes, oh that's good. It's Steve McClaren here. Yes, the same Steve McClaren who rang a few years back when I was in charge of England. 

I'm in a spot of bother again. I'm Newcastle boss nowadays and my team is second-from-bottom of the Premier League, we've been knocked out of the League Cup by a reserve Sheffield Wednesday side and my players are turning up for matches wearing tuxedos. 

Yes, I am being serious. What shall I do? Oh, by the way, we play Chelsea today. Hello, hello, hellooooo.....