Arsenal legend Merson predicts whether Newcastle will survive the drop

Football pundit Paul Merson has predicted that Newcastle United will not be relegated from the Premier League this season.

The relegation dogfight this season looks as though it will be intense given that there are a number of teams which are hovering above the drop zone.

All of the promoted teams have thus far been playing a competitive brand of football thus far and we could certainly be in for some surprises.

Rafa Benitez’s side are currently in 11th position on the League standings and are just five points above the drop zone.

They have lost their past three consecutive League games and will be desperate to pick up points when they take on Watford this weekend.

Merson told Sky Sports programme The Debate, “I think if you didn’t support Sunderland, who wouldn’t want to see Newcastle win the FA Cup this year, because number one, their supporters and number two, they haven’t won anything for God knows how long.

“They’re middle of the table, they’re not getting relegated, they’re not going to get in the top four, they should play their strongest team all the time.”