Michael Owen has predicted that West Ham will not lose when they face off against Wigan Athletic in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Though the Hammers will go into the game as favourites, Wigan could be tough opposition as they are currently high on confidence and look set to achieve automatic promotion from League One to the Championship next season.
The Latics are also likely to field a strong team with a view to causing an upset while West Ham are likely to rest key players given that their main priority this season is to avoid relegation from the Premier League rather than to do well in the FA Cup.
Owen wrote on Betvictor.com: “I am surprised that League One Wigan are favourites against West Ham who are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions.
“The Hammers have a good record against lower-league opposition progressing in 14 of their last 15 ties against lower league opposition – the only defeat coming in January 2014 when Sam Allardyce played a very inexperienced side against Nottingham Forest.
“Only City (29) and United (24) have won more competitive games this season than Wigan (23) but I expect the Hammers to get at least a replay at the DW Stadium.”
