Michael Owen makes prediction about 24-year-old striker for Norwich v Chelsea
The Liverpool legend is backing Chelsea to beat Norwich City at Carrow Road in the FA Cup third round
Michael Owen is confident that Chelsea won’t have any problems dispatching Norwich City and booking their place in the FA Cup fourth-round draw on Saturday.
Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi could start the cup clash as Antonio Conte looks to appease the want-away striker with some first-team football ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
The 23-year-old has been linked with a potential move in the January transfer window having fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
Batshauyi is behind Alvaro Morata but Conte has also preferred to use Eden Hazard, Pedro Rodriguez or Willian in lone striker roles rather than the former Marseille man.
The Belgian forward has a good record in the cup competitions this season after netting five times in seven appearances in the Champions League and the League Cup.
Former Liverpool striker Owen is backing Batshuayi to produce an influential performance in Chelsea’s clash against Championship side Norwich in the FA Cup third round.
“Norwich have never progressed in four previous FA Cup ties against Chelsea and the champions are expected to go through to the 4th Round at the first time of asking in what promises to be an entertaining clash,” Owen told BetVictor.
“Michy Batshuayi has a good record against lower league opposition in Cup competitions for the Blues and it would be no surprise to see the Belgian striker play a key role at Carrow Road.”
Chelsea lost 2-1 to bitter rivals Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley last season to miss out on a double in Conte’s first season in charge of the west London side.
The Blues won the Premier League title with two games to spare last term.
