Southampton v Everton: Charlie Austin or Romelu Lukaku?
Wednesday 23 November 2016 15:07, UK
Two of the Premier League's top strikers go head-to-head on Sky Sports this Sunday as Southampton host Everton.
Saints' Charlie Austin has netted five goals in the league this season, while Romelu Lukaku has scored seven.
The Everton forward has also weighed in with three assists and created 20 chances, compared to Austin's one assist and five chances.
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Former England and Leeds defender Danny Mills told Sky Sports News HQ that he prefers Lukaku over Austin.
"I think you'd have to go with Lukaku," he said. "He is younger and more energetic. Austin has been fabulous and is a really good goalscorer, but can he last a whole season? I'm not quite so sure.
"Lukaku has done it season in, season out, at several clubs. If you play to his strengths, he is a phenomenal striker, he has so much power and ability, and youth on his side."
Both Lukaku and Austin are likely to be key players at St Mary's this weekend as Everton and Southampton meet on Nissan Super Sunday.
Former Reading and Fulham forward Steve Sidwell says he favours Lukaku because of his all-round game.
"I think he brings more to the team with getting others involved and creating chances for them to score," he said, "whereas Austin is a goalscorer."
Saints have not won in the league since October 16, while Everton have won just one of their last seven matches.
The match will also see the return of Ronald Koeman to Southampton after he left to take charge of Everton in the summer.
Asked which squad he thinks is better, Mills said: "I think you'd have to say Everton at the moment.
"I am sure Ronald Koeman has been promised investment from the new owners. The job he did at Southampton was exceptional and what they do as a club is unbelievable. In their recruitment policy, they are looking at players for two or three years' time, just in case.
"That must be difficult for a manager, knowing it's almost a stepping stone club and if players do well, they are going to move on.
"Maybe Everton, with the investment they have got, can hold on to the likes of Lukaku and don't have to sell. That was probably one of the biggest attractions for Koeman."
Watch Southampton v Everton live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 4.15pm on Sunday.
