Everton will be looking to keep their place in the top four when they travel to the Britannia Stadium to take on Stoke City on New Year's Day.

The Toffees have only been beaten twice in the league this season, with a shock defeat at home to Sunderland their only setback since losing to Manchester City at the start of October.

Everton, who have the joint-best defensive record in the league, could close the gap between themselves and top-of-the-table Arsenal to just two points should results go their way, and they will have goalkeeper Tim Howard back available again after suspension.

Leighton Baines has also recently returned from injury, but Roberto Martinez will without Darron Gibson, Gerard Deulofeu and Arouna Kone for the match, while Phil Jagielka is a major doubt.

Stoke, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats to Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, results that have left them just five points clear of the relegation zone.

The Potters have won just one of their last five matches in all competitions, although only Norwich City have won at the Britannia in the Premier League this season.

The hosts have struggled for goals, with only four teams in the league scoring fewer this season, while only three teams have conceded more than the Potters in the current campaign.

Mark Hughes will have Glenn Whelan and Marc Wilson back after suspension, but Asmir Begovic and Robert Huth remain sidelined while Andy Wilkinson is a doubt.

Recent form

Stoke: WDLWLL
Everton: WDWWLW

Possible starting lineups:

Stoke: Sorensen; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Wheland, N'Zonzi, Walters, Ireland, Assaidi; Crouch

Everton: Howard; Coleman, Alcaraz, Distin, Baines; Mirallas, McCarthy, Barkley, Osman, Pienaar; Lukaku

Sports Mole says: 1-1