Just goal difference separates Stoke City and Liverpool in the Premier League table ahead of their Boxing Day clash at the Britannia Stadium.
The Potters boast an unbeaten home record, but Liverpool visit the Midlands on the back of a confidence-boosting 4-0 win over Fulham.
One-time Anfield favourite Michael Owen could make his first appearance since October, while another former Red Peter Crouch is in contention for a recall to the home starting XI.
Charlie Adam, who moved to Stoke from Liverpool in a £4m switch last summer, will again not feature following the death of his father.
Liverpool's Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling both began the victory over the Cottagers on the bench, but the latter is likely to feature from the start on Wednesday.
However, Welsh midfielder Allen could miss out completely due to a pelvic injury.
Daniel Sturridge seems poised to arrive on Merseyside in January, but until then, Luis Suarez is the Reds' only recognised striker and will lead the line against the tightest defence in the division.
Recent form
Stoke: DDDWWW
Liverpool: WLWWLD
Possible starting lineups:
Stoke: Begovic; Cameron, Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson; Kightly, Whelan, N'Zonzi, Etherington; Walters, Crouch
Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel; Enrique; Lucas, Henderson; Sterling, Gerrard, Downing; Suarez
Sports Mole says: 1-0
