Stoke vs. Manchester United Live Stream: Online Guide to EPL Matchup

Manchester United hope to take another step toward the Premier League title by securing a road victory over a struggling Stoke City side. Wayne Rooney scored twice in the first meeting between the clubs en route to a 4-2 United triumph.

The Red Devils are 12 points clear of Manchester City in the championship chase despite a loss to their fierce rivals on Monday. It would take a complete collapse for them to fall out of first, but that doesn't mean they can take the Stoke challenge lightly.

It's a key match for the Potters. A recent stretch of poor form has dropped them into the relegation race. Every loss from this point forward puts them in greater danger of finishing in the bottom three. So United can expect to see a desperate group on Sunday.

Let's take a look at the viewing information for the match, followed by a preview and prediction as the clubs with entirely different goals in mind battle for three points.

Where: Britannia Stadium in Stoke, England

When: Sunday, April 14 at 9:05 a.m. ET

Watch: Fox Soccer Channel

Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2Go

Preview

United must take advantage of the fact Stoke are struggling mightily right now by putting as much pressure as possible on them in the early going. A quick strike would likely crush any confidence the Potters have remaining.

It's unclear if Sir Alex Ferguson will employ a full-strength squad on Sunday. He could opt to give some of his stars a rest before a busy stretch run that continues with a match against West Ham on Wednesday. Or, he could try to secure three points on the road and then make some changes down the line.

Either way, the players that do get chosen for the starting 11 can't afford to let the club slide into a three-match losing streak, counting the FA Cup loss to Chelsea. The Red Devils should cruise to the title, but another loss or two and things could suddenly get very interesting.

One player that will be in the spotlight is Wayne Rooney. The longtime United star had elevated his level of play in recent weeks to help offset the struggles of Robin van Persie, but struggled to make an impact against City.

The Red Devils' recent struggles putting the ball in the net (two goals in three matches) should help Stoke. The club has been strong defensively throughout the campaign, ranking sixth in goals allowed. So, Stoke are catching United at the right time.

That said, the Potters' own issues on the attack are the main reason they have slipped toward the bottom of the table. They have scored fewer goals than any other club so far during the campaign. Their leading scorer, Jon Walters, has just six tallies.

The lack of sustained pressure they generate is going to allow United to control the pace of the match. It probably won't be the most exciting encounter of the weekend, but the Red Devils should find a way to earn three points and get back on track.

Prediction: Manchester United 2, Stoke City 0