Retired England striker and pundit Michael Owen has stated that West Ham’s clash with Manchester United in the FA Cup is set to be close and could well go all the way to penalties.
The Hammers are looking to reinforce excellent Premier League form with the potential to go to a cup final at Wembley but have Louis van Gaal’s men in the way.
The two teams are locked in a battle to finish in the top four this season, but also could have a successful campaign respectively by lifting the FA Cup.
With the sides drawing at Old Trafford, Owen is predicting a similarly tight clash at the Boleyn Ground and backing a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
“Wembley at stake and an extremely difficult game to predict; nothing could separate the sides at Old Trafford and I think this might be going all the way to extra-time and penalties,” he wrote in his Bet Victor column.
“United are unbeaten in their last 11 competitive games with the Irons although their last defeat to West Ham came at the same stage of the League Cup at the Boleyn Ground back in November 2010.”
West Ham will be buoyed by the manner of their performance against Arsenal at the weekend, with Andy Carroll spearheading the side’s comeback from 2-0 down with a quick fire hat-trick.
