Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson says Crystal Palace will finish 12th in the 2017-18 season.

The Eagles are being led by new boss Frank de Boer, with the Dutchman set to use a 3-4-3 formation.

They have signed exciting young duo Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jairo Riedewald – and Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah will join the club on loan in the next few days.

MORE: Crystal Palace's pursuit of transfer target takes new twist​

In his Premier League predictions, Merson put Manchester City as champions, while Watford, Brighton and Huddersfield would face the drop.

Explaining Crystal Palace’s 12th place predication, he said: “I like Frank de Boer. Palace look good going forward, though I do worry about them at the back.

“They’re a bit ageing in defence, and if they can get Mamadou Sakho in they will be alright. If they don’t get someone like him in, they could drop a few places.”