The 3 key battles as Everton host West Brom in the Premier League

Romelu Lukaku vs Gareth McAuley

Romelu Lukaku netted his 18th Premier League goal of the season in the Toffees’ 3-2 defeat at Tottenham last weekend to maintain his excellent run of form.

The 23-year-old has scored nine goals in nine games since the turn of the year, including four in their 6-3 victory over Bournemouth on February 4, and has only failed to net in one of Everton’s last four league matches.

The Belgian has got the pace, strength, and intelligence to trouble many a Premier League defence, yet 37-year-old Gareth McAuley will use his experience and nous to try and thwart the Everton man on Saturday.

The Northern Ireland international has been sensational at the back for the Baggies this term, and has also been a threat in the opposition penalty area having netted seven times in 29 appearances this season.

What McAuley lacks in pace he more than makes up with with his positional awareness and anticipation of play, and aerially he is supremely dominant.

Lukaku will know that he’ll need to be sharp to get the better of McAuley on Saturday afternoon.