Our first match of 2015 takes place at the Britannia, as Stoke look to maintain their recent good form at the expense of visitors Man United. Mark Hughes’ side saw out the previous calendar year with back-to-back wins and clean sheets against Everton and West Brom across the last few days and frontman Mame Biram Diouf will be hoping to get one over his former club before his departure to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Diouf and Peter Crouch have both bagged two goals and an assist in their last four starts, whilst Jon Walters and Bojan have also turned in some improved displays to steer the Potters to the security of mid-table.
United won’t make it easy, though. Louis van Gaal’s side roll up to Staffordshire on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run, with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie serving up five goals and a pair of assists apiece in their last seven starts. With Angel Di Maria yet again sidelined, Juan Mata is handed another start, whilst Radamel Falcao’s goal and assist in the last three underlines the strength of the Red Devils’ attack right now.
