Hodgson was sworn in at Crystal Palace earlier this week.
Paul Merson has told Sky Sports that Crystal Palace’s survival prospects depend on the outcome of Saturday’s visit of Southampton.
Palace have lost all four of their Premier League fixtures so far this season, culminating in Frank de Boer’s sacking earlier this week.
Former England manager Roy Hodgson has since been sworn in at Selhurst Park, but even he will struggle to save his local side if Southampton inflict yet another defeat, according to Merson.
Asked if Hodgson will keep them up, he told Sky Sports: “He needs to win tomorrow. Literally, I think it comes down to tomorrow, I really do.
“People go to me, that’s five games. The three games after that [against Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea] they’re not getting a point, in my opinion.
“People go, they might nick a point, but if they lost to Southampton and they lost their first four, that’s five. They could walk underneath a snake with a tophat on, their confidence would be that low.”
He then appeared to get himself a touch confused, adding. “For me, no points at eight games, that means one point, three points a game to get 39. Win 10, draw 10, lose 10.”
Palace fans are unlikely to be too concerned by Merson’s comments, considering some of his previous predictions.
In January, he tipped Everton, Stoke and Bournemouth as potential FA Cup winners, only for the trio to be eliminated that same weekend.
Palace also faced the threat of relegation last season, which they eventually ended in 14th place after appointing Sam Allardyce as manager in December.
Is Merson right about Crystal Palace’s survival prospects?
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