Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith has admitted that it could be “touch and go” as to whether Sunderland are able to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.

Nine games into the new campaign, and the Black Cats currently find themselves languishing at the foot of the table, having amassed just five points thus far. Their only top flight win of the term came against Fulham in late August, and since then, they have lost five of their seven outings.

Last time out, Regis Le Bris’ men were beaten 3-1 away from home by newly promoted Coventry City, and in Smith’s view a battle for survival could ultimately go down to the wire - especially as the Wearsiders balance their domestic duties with their ongoing Europa League campaign.

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Speaking to The Echo, courtesy of BestBettingSites, when asked whether he thinks Sunderland are in danger of being relegated this season, Smith responded: “It's hard, isn't it? I think we always thought it might be difficult with the extra workload of Europe, and they're doing well in Europe, but not so well in the league. Just the one win in August, so it's a long time ago now, against Fulham. And that defeat to Coventry would have hurt, against a newly promoted side. That would have been fairly damaging.”

He added: “I think Regis Le Bris is a good coach. I think it'll be touch and go for them to stay up, but I would like to see it.”