Everton v West Brom – Monday 19th January, 2000. Live on Sky Sports 1
£5 free bet and the industry top price
Lukaku goes for repeat against Baggies
Romelu Lukaku to score @ 9/4 (3.25). Industry best is 8/5. Take the bet at http://goo.gl/4U0BQw
Romelu Lukaku already has form for scoring against West Brom this season, as one of his six Premier League goals came in the 2-0 win at the Hawthorns in September.
Towards the end of 2014 the £28million striker struggled for goals, but he rediscovered his scoring touch this month in the FA Cup third round, when he netted a stoppage-time equaliser at home to West Ham.
Lukaku then continued that form in the replay at Upton Park on Tuesday night with an extra-time goal in the 2-2 draw, although it proved in vain in the end, as the Hammers triumphed on penalties.
The Belgian’s return to form has followed a change in tactics suggested by the Everton players, who have begun pumping the ball forward more often to the bustling Lukaku.
Manager Roberto Martinez had come in for criticism from the Toffees’ fans for refusing to adapt his patient style of play as Everton suffered four consecutive losses.
However, now the Spaniard has been encouraged to change his tactics, Lukaku, priced at 9/4 to get on the scoresheet, is flourishing up front again and proving a handful for Premier League defences once more.
The Belgian will be eager to show West Brom fans what they are missing on his return to the Hawthorns, where he was loaned by Chelsea in 2012-13 and scored 17 goals in 35 games for the Baggies.
Last season he was again loaned out by Chelsea, to Everton, for whom he scored 15 goals in 31 games to persuade Martinez to fork out a huge sum to buy him.
Standing in the way of Lukaku will be a West Brom team still hovering above the relegation zone despite their 1-0 home win over lowly Hull City last weekend.
Their 1-1 draw at West Ham on New Year’s Day was the Baggies’ first away point in the league since their goalless draw at Hull in early December and time will tell whether new manager Tony Pulis can again work his magic on a relegation-threatened club – as he did with Crystal Palace last season.
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