Everton opposition scouting report: Southampton
By Gary Pearson
Everton travel to Southampton on Sunday looking for three points against a middle-of-the-table side who are unbeaten this season at home.
This matchup, even though both teams play similar direct styles, favors Everton and here’s why.
Romelu Lukaku eats Saints for breakfast
Romelu Lukaku, who has scored a goal every 119.6 minutes this season, is due and absolutely loves playing against the Saints. Lukaku has scored more goals per minute than everyone in the Premier League except Diego Costa (a goal every 107.4 minutes) and Sergio Aguero (a goal every 93.1 minutes).
Lukaku hasn’t scored since the 50th minute against West Ham, about 220 minutes ago. Couple that with the fact that Lukaku has scored three goals in four matches at St. Mary’s and you can see why Everton can’t wait for Sunday’s kickoff.
It won’t be easy for the Belgian international, though. He’ll be up against an organised and well-drilled defensive unit. Southampton, conceding 12 goals all season and five at home, have the league’s fourth stingiest defensive unit.
Jose Fonte and Virgil van Dijk form one of the best center back partnerships in the top flight, but Lukaku, with his physical prowess and technical ability, will make life very difficult for the duo. Lukaku has the pace to get behind both center backs. He’ll need to be crafty as Fonte and van Dijk aren’t fooled easily.
Lukaku is overdue for a man-of-the-match performance and, if previous encounters with Southampton are anything to go by, the Saints are in for an arduous day at the office.
Advantage Everton.
Charlie Austin suits Williams & Jagielka’s style
Charlie Austin is a towering striker who is lethal in front of goal and poses a real aerial threat. That kind of style suits Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka perfectly.
By no means is Austin the fastest striker, which is a blessing for both Williams and Jagielka. All three players thrive in physical battles, so expect this to be a brutish, beastly encounter.
Jagielka’s pace has come into question lately, so he’ll be looking forward to a physically robust affair.
And we all know that Williams won’t shy away from a battle in the trenches.
Shane Long presents a different dynamic, but Everton’s center back duo shouldn’t have too many problems dealing with the diminutive Irishman.
Jagielka will be motivated to redeem himself and put last game’s abysmal performance well and truly behind him.
Snakebitten of late, the Saints are coming into the match without scoring a goal in consecutive home games. They’ve scored 12 goals in as many matches so far this season, which is among the league’s fewest.
Austin has one goal in his last four games while Long, who recently returned from injury, hasn’t scored in eight league appearances.
If Williams and Jagielka do the business on the south coast, Everton will come away from St. Mary’s with all three points.
Advantage Everton.
Saints home form
While Southampton have lost only one in their last 11 home matches, the Saints aren’t without recent struggles. They haven’t scored in consecutive home games. Southampton is unbeaten in six home games so far this season, but only two of the games resulted in wins.
Everton last travelled to St. Mary’s on August 15, 2015 and came away with a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
To get in a merry mood before taking on Southampton, let’s take a look at every Premier League goal Everton have scored against the Saints. Enjoy!
Next: Everton eyes Schalke's Sead Kolasinac
Southampton won the previous two games against Everton at home but you’re only as good as your last performance so the Toffees will go into St. Mary’s feeling confident they can come away with a victory once more in hostile territory.
Advantage Everton.