Michael Owen predicts result of Everton FA Cup clash against Hull City
Michael Owen has tipped Everton to stroll to a comfortable victory when they take on Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.
The Toffees travel to face the Championship outfit in the third round of the FA Cup tomorrow (8 January), and the Sky Sports pundit expects them to win 3-1 while previewing the clash in his BetVictor column.
Everton are struggling to impress in the Premier League due to injuries, but they should still have enough in the tank against the Tigers that are finding things difficult at the bottom of the Championship table.
Owen said: “Hull are having a difficult season in the Championship and are firmly in a relegation battle.
“The confidence in the squad must be low and it’s an ideal game for a struggling Everton side.
“I’m predicting 3-1 Everton.”
Straightforward win?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to be rested for the trip, but this should still be a comfortable victory for the Goodison Park outfit.
Nevertheless, the players have to deliver as Hull will be keen to cause an upset.
That is what the FA Cup is known for, and the Blues cannot afford to be one of the victims this season.
The hosts will be banking on their fans to spur them to an impressive result, and given that Rafa Benitez is likely to ring the changes and mix things up, just anything is possible.
A lot of the youngsters will be getting a chance to prove themselves, but a defeat is the last thing the Everton manager wants right now.
He is under enough pressure already due to their stuttering Premier League form, and he needs his men to get the job done against the Championship side.
They are not one of the favourites to win the competition, but Everton could do with a cup run this season.
That would keep the fans happy amid their league struggles, and a victory tomorrow surely will come in handy and boost their morale.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are plotting January loan-to-buy bid for centre-mid hailed by Jack Grealish last month.
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