Hello all and Happy New Year! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from the Britannia as Stoke City welcome Manchester United. What will 2015 bring for both of these sides? Right, before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.

So there we have it. Stoke are without Spanish forward Bojan this afternoon, meaning that Jonathan Walters comes into the XI for the Potters. There is also a start in attack for Peter Crouch, while Mame Biram Diouf lines up against his former club. Glenn Whelan, meanwhile, starts in the middle of midfield alongside the ever-present Steven N'Zonzi.

United boss Louis van Gaal, meanwhile, has made two changes from the team that drew with Tottenham last time out. In come Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling, with Paddy McNair and Antonio Valencia dropping out. As a result, Ashley Young will switch to right wing-back in what is again a 5-3-2 formation.

Stoke have won only one of their previous 13 Premier League matches against Manchester United, but that victory did come at the Britannia last season. United have won on two of their three previous trips to Stoke, however, and boast an impressive run of form against the Potters.

The two sides met in the reverse match at the start of December and it was United that claimed all the points courtesy of a 2-1 win. It could have been a very different outcome, however, with Mame Biram Diouf having one cleared off the line in the latter stages. Their performance at Old Trafford will certainly have given Stoke boss Mark Hughes confidence ahead of this particular match.

As it stands, Stoke sit 11th in the table on 25 points – just eight points off the top four and nine clear of the relegation zone. It has been an up-and-down campaign, but the Potters have won their last two in the league. On Boxing Day, they were 1-0 winners at an out-of-form Everton, before recording a 2-0 victory over West Brom on December 28, with Diouf grabbing both goals against the Baggies.

Stoke's success over the last few seasons has been built on strong home form, but truth be told, they have been fairly inconsistent at the Britannia this term. In fact, at this stage, they only have the 12th-best home record in the league having lost four of their nine matches at the Britannia.

On the road, Stoke have also lost four times, but won three and drawn three, which is respectable in relation to the teams around them. If Hughes can get the formula right at the Britannia then the Potters will certainly have a top-half finish or possible European challenge in their sights.

Goals have been a bit of an issue for Stoke this season, meanwhile, with the Potters netting just 21 times in their 19 matches. Down the other end, they have conceded 23 times, which is the same number as Arsenal. Stoke are still a work in progress, but there have been positive signs.

United, meanwhile, enter this match off the back of an nine-match unbeaten run in the league. That run of results has taken Louis van Gaal's side into third position in the table – seven points behind second-place Manchester City and 10 points behind the leaders Chelsea after 19 matches.

It took a bit of time for Van Gaal to get things right at Old Trafford, but the signs are good. Since losing 1-0 to Manchester City at the start of November, the Reds have won seven and drawn two of their nine league games. That run has included victories over Arsenal, Liverpool and Southampton.

More recently, United were 3-1 winners over Newcastle on Boxing Day, but Van Gaal's side dropped points on December 28 in a goalless draw at Tottenham Hotspur. It was far from a poor result at White Hart Lane, but United had a number of chances in the first period to tie up all three points.

Even more frustrating for United was the fact that Chelsea and Manchester City also both dropped points. Talk of a title challenge has gathered pace in recent weeks, but a top-three finish does seem more realistic. In truth, their away form has not been quite good enough this season.

Strangely, last season under David Moyes, United were strong on the road and fairly poor at home, but it has been the reverse this term. At Old Trafford, United have won eight of their 10 league matches, with their only defeat occurring to Swansea City on the opening weekend of the season.

On the road, however, United have won just two of their nine matches, which is only the ninth-best record in the league. They have only lost twice on their travels, but too many draws have seen them fail to close the gap on the top two. This afternoon is another tough test on the road for United.

United's defence has been addressed a lot this season, but they have only conceded 19 times, which is the fourth-best record in the league and just five more than the leaders Chelsea. Down the other end, United have scored 33 times, which is seven less than both Chelsea and Manchester City.

PREDICTION! A score draw appears the most-backed outcome for this match, but I fancy United to just nick it this afternoon. It will be a close-fought match, but Bojan is a big miss for the home side. My score prediction is 2-1 United, with Falcao returning to the scoresheet.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. The stadium is bouncing...

Can United continue their unbeaten run in the league? Or will Stoke make it three wins in a row? It is the first league match of 2015, with the home side getting the first 45 minutes underway.

The away supporters are in strong voice this early afternoon in Stoke, but the home fans have also turned out in their numbers. It is a very breezy afternoon in Stoke, which will impact the play. Not too much to report in the early moments, with both sides just attempting to work their way into the game.

Stoke take the lead two minutes into the match as Shawcross volleys a Crouch header into the top corner. United failed to deal with the corner and have been made to pay on the first set piece.

Terrible defending from United it must be said, but Stoke must be credited for the way that they have started this match. The away side just have not settled in the opening five minutes.

United have just started to see more of the ball in the last couple of minutes, but without threatening the home side's goal. It must be said that the home supporters are in fine voice this afternoon. Arsenal struggled on this stadium and United are finding it difficult in the early moments.

The crowd are really up for this match and indeed driving the home side forward. Falcao has been lively for United thus far, but the service has not been great. United force their first corner of the match, but Mata delivers straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Not great it must be said.

Falcao does well to wriggle free before attempting to slide a pass towards Van Persie, but Muniesa is across to clear the danger. It has been a decent response from United, but Stoke have their lead.

Much better from the away side in the last couple of minutes, with Shaw and Young both causing problems in the wide positions. Mata delivers his second corner from the right, but again it is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Corners in general this season have been so very poor.

Falcao's touch has been a little off in the opening 15 minutes, but Rooney and Van Persie have started to gather possession in the final third. United just do not look comfortable when the ball is played into the final third, but Stoke have not created too much since taking the lead after just two minutes.

All the work is coming from United at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. This is the type of match that Van Gaal would have wanted, had Stoke not scored early on. Rooney has a go with a free kick outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Not great.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score their second as Diouf bullies Evans off the ball before advancing into the United box, but his effort is wide of the post. What a chance and again it is just awful defending from the visitors, who are so shaky at the back.

Mata was sensational at Spurs last time out, but the Spaniard cannot keep the ball at the moment as United continue to struggle in the final third. Young delivers a cross from the right moments later, but Falcao cannot make contact at the near post. Good defending from Shawcross once again.

Mata delivers a third corner from the right, but again the danger is cleared. You just get the feeling that United need to score the next goal here if they are to take something from the match.

United continue to pass and probe outside the Stoke box, but they are finding it difficult to find that final pass, with Walters and Diouf both dropping back to support their back four.

United level with 27 minutes on the clock as Falcao turns a Carrick flick into the bottom corner after Rooney had delivered from a corner. We are all level here and the away side deserve it!

Stoke attempt to respond with a couple of set pieces, but United manage to clear the danger. In truth, United have been the better side in the opening 29 minutes and deserve to be level. A half-chance arrives for Stoke as Cameron meets a cross from Arnautovic, but his header is high of the crossbar.

Young delivers from the right as United break once again, but Begovic is on hand to collect at the near post. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and we are all level here. Walters delivers a cross down the other end, but De Gea is on hand to collect before starting another counter attack.

United still do not look too comfortable in defensive areas as Arnautovic delivers a wonderful cross towards the far post, but Shaw does well to turn over his own crossbar. It is another Stoke corner as the pressure continues from the high ball. United do not really convince from these positions.

Stoke again threaten as N'Zonzi breaks into the box, but Smalling is across to make the challenge. Another corner comes from the right, but Smalling manages to clear once again.

United are down the left with Shaw, but the England international delivers into the arms of the Stoke stopper. United regain possession moments later, however, as they dictate possession from the back. Little under 10 minutes of the first period to play and the score remains level at 1-1.

United continue to allow the ball to bounce in the final third, which is causing problems to their back three. Diouf thinks that he has a free run on the United goal moments later, but the striker had just moved into an offside position. Stoke have been the better side since United equalised here.

The atmosphere has just dropped inside the stadium, which is a reflection of matters on the field. Not too much to report in terms of chances with 42 minutes on the clock at the Britannia.

Bit of a flash point between Van Persie and Begovic as the stopper appears to throw a leg towards the Dutchman. That was poor from the goalkeeper and Van Persie was right to be angered.

Stoke threaten from another corner, but United manage to clear as we enter one minute of additional time. A 1-1 draw is just about a fair reflection of the first 45 minutes here.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 1-1. Stoke lead inside two minutes courtesy of Shawcross, but Falcao levelled for United after 26 minutes. It has been a fairly even first period, but Stoke certainly ended the half on the front foot. All level here.

STATS! United have dominated possession with 64%, while they have had two attempts - one of which has been on target. Stoke, meanwhile, have hit the target with one of their three attempts. Surprisingly, there have been no bookings thus far despite a couple of flash points.

BENCH WATCH! The home side have the likes of Charlie Adam, Oussama Assaidi and Oliver Shenton on their bench this afternoon. Meanwhile, United have attacking options in the shape of Adnan Januzaj, Ander Herrera and James Wilson. Will either manager make a change at the interval?

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second half. Will we have a winner at the Britannia this afternoon? United get the second period underway on this windy Thursday.

No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of the match. However, I suspect that alterations will occur as the second period gathers pace.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early moments of the second period, with both sides just attempting to find their way into the match. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in terms of the final result. It could well be the winner here.

A poor touch from Carrick puts United in trouble, but Jones comes across to challenge Arnautovic, who has been bright in this match. Neither side has really put anything together of note in the second period, but the away side have had control of the possession. Still 1-1 with 52 minutes on the clock.

United continue to work the ball into wide areas, but Evans delivers a cross into the arms of Begovic and the attack breaks down. Not too much from Stoke since the break it must be said.

We are in need of a bit of quality at the moment as both sides continue to concede possession in the final third. It is looking more and more likely that one more goal would be enough to win this match. I wonder whether either manager is considering a change to just freshen things up here.

Finally a bit of pressure from the home side as they work the ball wide before Pieters delivers, but Smalling is on hand to clear ahead of Crouch. United are down the other end moments later, but once more the final ball is poor and the attack breaks down. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.

United have a free kick in a dangerous position as Muniesa brings Falcao to the ground...

... Mata delivers towards the far post, but the home side just manage to clear as Begovic makes contact. United have just raised the tempo in the last couple of minutes. Can they make it count?

Jones meets another free kick from Mata, but his header is straight into the arms of Begovic.

United are really on top at the moment as they threaten from another set piece, but Crouch is on hand to clear the danger. Meanwhile, Herrera is preparing to enter the frame for the visitors.

SUBS! United make a double change as Januzaj and Herrera replace Falcao and Shaw.

CHANCE! Jones almost buries a header into his own net following a dangerous cross from Walters, but the centre-back does well to head wide of the post. Stoke have a penalty shout moments later, but the referee is not interested in a potential handball from Smalling.

Januzaj has the chance to deliver from the left after finding all sorts of space, but the youngster's cross is poor. Stoke had a second handball shout moments before, but again Oliver remained unmoved.

Suddenly Stoke are on top as they continue to threaten in wide areas, but United manage to clear the danger. You just get the feeling that there is a goal in this match somewhere. Van Persie has a half-chance after collecting a pass from Mata, but his flicked effort is just wide of the post.

POST! Crouch hits the post for Stoke after meeting a cross from Arnautovic. It was a poor free kick for United to concede, with Smalling pushing Arnautovic to the ground. Moments later, Diouf fires one just wide of the post as the pressure continues to grow from the home side.

Little under 20 minutes of football remaining and Stoke are now on top and pushing for the winner. Januzaj has the chance to break for United, but he is moved into a wide position by Pieters.

Not too much from United in the last few minutes as they continue to defend their own box, which is causing problems. United are down the right with Young moments later, but the Englishman pulls up and a change will have to be made. That looks to be a hamstring problem for the wing-back.

SUB! The change is made as Rafael is introduced in place of Young.

United are forced to concede another corner as Jones heads behind when it looked to be going for a goal-kick. The pressure is building from the home side with 77 minutes on the clock, with Rafael heading behind once more. It has been a game of corners thus far there is no question about that.

United want a penalty this time as Rafael goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Little over 10 minutes of this contest remaining and United have a half-chance when Van Persie meets a cross from Januzaj, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. It remains 1-1 here.

Shawcross fires one into the stands for the home side after taking a long-range strike on.

SUB! Stoke make their first change as Assaidi replaces Arnautovic.

United threaten with Rooney down the left, but his cross is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Little over five minutes of football remaining and Stoke continue to win free kick after free kick.

Another United attack breaks down as Januzaj cannot slide a pass into Rooney. It appears that it will be another draw on the road for United, which is not really good enough at this stage.

Herrera comes close to finding a pass into Mata, but the Spaniard cannot collect and Stoke are able to push down the other end with Diouf, but the striker loses control inside the penalty area.

Is there to be a late winner in this match? United are in possession of the ball...

Half-chance for United as Rafael meets a Mata flick inside the box, but his effort is deflected for a corner. The pressure is coming from United as we enter stoppage time at the Britannia.

United continue to press here...

Assaidi fires straight into the arms of De Gea and a point now looks certain.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two sides level at 1-1. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!