Premier League preview: Man United v Stoke

Manchester United can consolidate their place atop the English Premier League standings with victory over Stoke City on Tuesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have two games in hand on arch rivals and second-place Manchester City, and will be looking to continue their strong form when Tony Pulis’ men visit Old Trafford.

United have not lost at home in 17 matches, their last defeat coming at the hands of champions Chelsea in April, while Stoke have gone unbeaten on the road in their past three matches, racking up wins against West Bromwich Albion in November and Blackburn on Boxing Day.

Striker Kenwyne Jones scored in their 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday, and the Trinidad and Tobago international said he hopes to use the confidence to propel his side into the European places.

“The goal will give me confidence for sure,” Jones told the club’s official website. “The last few weeks, chances have been few and far between and when they have come I have missed them or the ‘keeper has saved them which is frustrating.”

“Thankfully though, I have got the ball rolling again now and hopefully I can score a few more and really help the club push on in 2011. There is no reason why, with the players we have here, that we can’t improve on what was achieved last season.”

Stoke’s only injury casualty is Mamady Sidibe, who is out with a calf problem, while United will be without Wayne Rooney, who attained an ankle injury in their 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion over the weekend.

John O’Shea, Paul Scholes and Antonio Valencia are also out due to injury, while South Korean Ji-Sung Park will miss a month because of the Asian Cup.

Stoke, who currently sit eighth in the league standings, lost the corresponding fixture last season 4-0.