Paul Merson backs Wolves to beat the drop

Paul Merson today backed Wolves to beat the drop from the Premier League after he tipped Wigan, Bolton and QPR to be relegated come the last day of the season.

Wolves are currently a point above the drop zone but the former Villa midfielder and Walsall player-manager told the Express & Star that they will not be one of the three sides to fall to the Championship.

Merson said: "I think Wigan, Bolton and QPR are the three teams from the Premier League that will go down to the Championship at the end of the season.

"QPR have some hard fixtures coming up, Wigan have been hanging round the bottom for too long and this will be their time to go down.

"And I think Bolton just can't score a goal and let in too many, which is a bad recipe when you are fighting against relegation.

"I think Wolves will stay up though, yes. I like Steven Fletcher and think he is a good player who will be crucial for them, but they have decent players.

"Someone like Kevin Doyle will also step up to the plate now.

"He scored against Newcastle last week, so I think there will be a few more performances from him.

"They are often better against the big teams at home, because the shackles come off a little bit.

"They play much better stuff then and Fletcher and Doyle would be key."