Sunderland's miserable season may not yet be beyond repair but a ninth defeat, at Bournemouth on Saturday, would leave most remaining optimists resigned to relegation.
The problem for manager David Moyes is that with the gap between bottom place and Premier League safety now stretched to nine points, taking account of current goal differences, even the customary end of season scramble for survival would be insufficient to save his side.
Who will win?
Despite speculation Moyes will be sacked if Sunderland fail to record their first victory of the season at the Vitality Stadium, club sources have insisted his job is not in immediate danger.