Liverpool should be two good

[sake]

Ben Coley and Andy Schooler preview the New Year's Day Premier League programme, with Liverpool fancied to win by two.


1pt Liverpool to beat Leicester by two goals at 100/30

1pt QPR to beat Swansea at 2/1

2pts West Ham to beat West Brom at 17/20

1pt Eden Hazard to score first v Spurs at 13/2

Stoke v Manchester United (1245 GMT)

The New Year begins with what should be a cracker at the Britannia as two in-form sides go head-to-head. Stoke limited United to a handful of chances in the reverse fixture and probably felt entitled to a point, but while returning empty handed from their trip to Old Trafford have since enjoyed a very solid December. They're bidding for a maximum nine-point haul from the festive programme and haven't conceded a goal in their two victories so far. It must be said, though, that in retrospect the fixture list has proven to be very kind to them. First was a trip to a struggling Everton side before Stoke hammered the final nail into Alan Irvine's coffin with a regulation 2-0 victory over West Brom. United meanwhile have won seven from nine in an impressive unbeaten run since fighting hard in defeat to rivals City, but both draws have been away including at Tottenham last time where they appeared to tire during the second half. They're likely to be without Angel Di Maria's guile while fellow summer import Radamel Falcao was laboured at White Hart Lane so I'd have slight concerns when it comes to taking evens about an away win here, despite some depth returning to their defensive options. Stoke, however, haven't been as impressive at home as we've grown accustomed to with more defeats by mid-December than they suffered in the whole of last season. In part this is a reflection of the fact they've gradually opened up, with boss Mark Hughes tending to find a way to accomodate three or four players whose contribution without the ball is minimal and that should mean chances at both ends. Mame Biram Diouf ended a dry spell with a brace on Sunday and will be desperate to put one over his former club, so at upwards of 3/1 he's a tempting anytime scorer proposition, but pick of the prices here is Bojan Krcic at 7/2. The former Barcelona and Ajax man didn't look a natural fit for Stoke when signing in the summer but has deservedly received rave reviews of late. He's averaging a goal every three games since the start of November and it's noticeable that they've come against Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton, which hints at an ability to produce his best when the quality of opponent rises. Certainly, I think Stoke will have their opportunities here and unless David De Gea has one of those games again, the hosts can secure a point. For what it's worth, BetVictor quote 16s about either goalkeeper being named Man of the Match which doesn't look the worst price going but attackers may prevail in the end.