Southampton vs Everton: Premier League preview
By Gary Pearson
Everton travel to St. Mary’s on Sunday looking for their first win away from Goodison since beating Sunderland 3-0 on Sept. 12.
While the Toffees will feel it was two points lost against Swansea last week, the team should take some solace in salvaging a point thanks to Seamus Coleman’s last-minute equalizer.
It won’t be easy to come away with three points from St. Mary’s, a place Southampton have yet to lose at this season. But Everton have fond memories of the south coast, where they trounced the Saints 3-0 on their last visit there.
Recent form
Southampton are winless in four league games, their last victory coming at home against Burnley on Oct. 16.
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Playing for 90
They’re, however, unbeaten in six home matches this season. Only two of those resulted in wins, though.
The Saints have lost only one of their last 11 Premier League games on home soil, so Everton have their work cut out for them.
Everton are two games without a win, their last triumph coming at home against West Ham on Oct. 30. The Toffees form in their last seven matches is somewhat disconcerting. Everton have won win in that span, losing three and drawing three.
The Blues have gained seven points from 18 away from home so far this season, winning two while losing three and drawing one.
The previous five head-to-head matches are split right down the middle, with both teams winning two and drawing one. Everton were outscored 6-5 in those encounters.
Team news
Everton welcome back Gareth Barry after serving his one-match ban against Swansea. The Toffees, other than long injury absentees Muhamed Besic (knee) and Matthew Pennington (hamstring), are back to full strength. Having both Barry and Idrissa Gueye for selection will vastly boost Everton’s chances of taking all three points from St. Mary’s.
Phil Jagielka needs all the protection he can get after recent mental blunders that have cost the Blues valuable points in the standings.
Southampton are probably without Dusan Tadic (broken nose), while Jose Fonte (foot) faces a late assessment. Everton’s chances of winning this match get significantly better if Fonte fails his fitness test. Fonte and Virgil van Dijk form a formidable center back partnership so Toffees supporters will hope Fonte misses out on this fixture.
What Everton must do to win
First and foremost, Jagielka and Ashley Williams must deal with Charlie Austin, who, with a goal every 126.2 minutes, has one of the best per-minute strike rates in the Premier League. Austin plays the kind of style that suits Everton’s center backs, so the advantage swings Everton’s way on this particular matchup.
Without production from Austin, Southampton have very little going forward to threaten the heart of Everton’s defense. Austin has five of the Saints 12 Premier League goals this season. So, as the adage goes, stop Austin and you stop Southampton.
Next: Everton opposition scouting report: Southampton
Romelu Lukaku is due a goal and good things happen when the big Belgian scores. Everton have not lost this season when Lukaku scores, winning three and drawing two. And Lukaku, who scores even more frequently – a goal every 119.6 minutes – than Austin hasn’t hit the back of the net in about 220 minutes.
That coupled with the fact Lukaku has scored three goals in four St. Mary’s matches bodes very well for the Toffees on Sunday.
Finally, Jagielka needs to play mistake-free football. The Toffees will leave the south coast with all three points so long as their captain plays a flawless 90 minutes.