Can Potter repeat his August success with the Blues against United?
After leaving the Seagulls for Chelsea, his reign in charge of the London club has been far more serene than another office in the capital - he has even had time to fit in a 'glow up' along the way.
After taking charge in September, he is unbeaten in his first seven games across two competitions, making them hard to beat whilst getting more out of players like Mason Mount (23).
Now, with the quirks of football, he faces Manchester United for the second time in three months with two separate teams - can he repeat the feat in what is his biggest test since becoming manager at Stamford Bridge?
Potter is a fan of a back three and played it at Old Trafford in Brighton’s historic win, using the front players to press a vulnerable United who were caught off guard by the visitors’ aggression and tenacity.
His strategy with Chelsea is similar. Defensive solidity allows his creative players to express themselves in the half-spaces - the resurgence of Mount in recent weeks is testament to that. Across the seven games in charge, the Blues have kept five clean sheets, thanks to a clear plan and some great goalkeeping from Kepa Arrizabalaga (28).
However, there is no doubt his management will come under scrutiny on Saturday. He got the better of United in August by catching them cold and attacking them. Erik ten Hag was managing his first game and Potter took advantage.
The United of August had little structure and seemed to be playing football in the same way that had seen them struggle for two seasons. The problems were only magnified by their crushing defeat at Brentford a week later.
Now, though, as shown by their performance against Tottenham Hotspur in a 2-0 victory, Ten Hag has made improvements. Gone is the 4-3-3, which left them vulnerable and rigid, in its place a 4-2-3-1, playing to the strengths of Casemiro (30) and Bruno Fernandes (28), whilst remaining more solid than at the start of the season.
Along with that, the Dutch manager seems to have got a real grip of his dressing room. The Cristiano Ronaldo episode on Wednesday, where the Portuguese player left the stadium early after refusing to come on as a late substitute against Spurs, has seen the forward training alone and out of the squad for the weekend clash.
In the past, this could have derailed the club, taken up by infighting and unable to focus on the bigger plans - sounds like another thing in the UK at the moment - but Ten Hag fronted up, showing that the new Manchester United has one of its old rules back: no one is bigger than the club.
It seems, then, that to outwit Ten Hag again, Potter will have to get the best out of his players. To make things harder, he is missing some of his more influential defenders - the centre-piece to his tactic.
Reece James (22) is unlikely to feature for them before next year, Wesley Fofana (21) is still a way away from full fitness and the loss of N’Golo Kante (31) in midfield affects not just Chelsea but France as well for the upcoming World Cup.
In their place, Conor Gallagher (22) has been playing in midfield, however, he came off midway through their midweek draw against Brentford with illness. He is doubtful for tomorrow, with Mateo Kovacic(28) likely to replace him.
Their biggest weakness at the moment is the absence of James. Ruben Loftus-Cheek (26) played at the wing-back position on Wednesday, an unnatural position for the England player, but one he performed admirably. Thiago Silva (38) did not play against the Bees and will come back in, which would see Cesar Azpilicueta (33) scoot over the right wing-back.
If they are to go for a formation like this, they will need protection on that right side. It is likely that Potter will not play the expansive football that he did against United in August, instead opting for a midfield three that will counter well and build up play with more caution.
Mount and Jorginho (30) will be key to keeping possession and shifting the ball into the forward areas for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (33) and Raheem Sterling (27) to take advantage of.
This will be a close game and one that will show just how much improvement Potter has made at Chelsea. If he can see off a resurgent United, he will prove once again why he is one of the most talented managers in the league.
It will not be a repeat performance, but it could well be a repeat result.
