Chelsea host Manchester United on Sunday in the Jose Mourinho derby and neither side can claim to be especially pleased with their season so far.
But who among those sides would be good enough to walk into the other?
Here, Sportsmail runs the rule over United and Chelsea and assesses who would make a combined XI.
Goalkeeper - David De Gea (Manchester United)
Thibaut Courtois is having a reasonable season, but De Gea is reaching a new level. Arguably only Manuel Neuer is better. Quite aside from the showreel save he pulled off against Liverpool, De Gea is mastering all facets of the craft.
Right back - Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
With Branislav Ivanovic not on form, this was a straightforward decision. Valencia has made the conversion from wing to backline extremely well and has the best tackling stats in United's defence (23). His challenge on Liverpool's Firmino on Monday was possibly the best thing about that game.
Centre back - Eric Bailly (Manchester United)
Aged 22, he has become a Manchester United regular and, more to the point, has shown signs of being a truly excellent player. He cost £30m and unlike Paul Pogba has looked worth the fee.
Centre back - John Terry (Chelsea)
If he's fit, he comes straight into the team. Just look at how Chelsea fall apart defensively when he is not around.
Left back - Daley Blind (Manchester United)
Brilliantly talented and brilliantly versatile. Has the occasional error in him (Kevin De Bruyne's goal for Manchester City last month), but arguably the most impressive performer among either defence this season. Edges out Cesar Azpilicueta.
Centre midfield - N'Golo Kante (Chelsea)
Ander Herrera is probably the player closest to making the team who fell short, but Kante is just too good to leave out. He doesn't score, he doesn't get assists, but he almost never misplaces a pass (90 per cent completion rate) and he runs and runs and runs. Jose Mourinho would surely love him.
Centre midfield - Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
When he hits his long stride, he will be fantastic. But when will that be? Such an underwhelming season so far, but he didn't set the price and his talent is undeniable. With any luck his midweek goals against Fenerbahce will shunt him into the next gear because he is far better than his one league goal and zero assists would suggest.
Right midfield - Willian (Chelsea)
Just about the only player from Chelsea's shambles of a 2015-16 season who emerged with any credit and he is going strong again. He is creating an average of 3.8 chances a game – more than any other Premier League player.
Left midfield - Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
His form at times this season has been so good it has actually re-stirred the irritation from last season – how can anyone that talented play that badly? He was exceptional two seasons ago, genuinely one of the best half a dozen players in the world. And then that abomination and embarrassment of a campaign. But he is back gliding around, skipping through challenges and tearing apart defences. Already has three goals this season and is making more dribbles per game than any other player (4.4).
Striker - Diego Costa (Chelsea)
The snarling beast has to be included. He continues to be a furious ball of drama, but a superb striker to boot. His seven goals is the most in the division and he has two assists as well. The dangerman in the team.
Striker - Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United)
It has tailed off after the goal rush of his first four games (four in four starts, not including a goal in the Community Shield) but he already seems to have addressed the doubts over whether a 35-year-old could handle the physical traumas of Premier League football.
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