Sunderland staring down the barrel of a loaded gun in bid to stave off relegation from the Premier League… because of their kit

SUNDERLAND are staring down the barrel of a loaded gun in their bid to stave off relegation from the Premier League… because of their kit.

In the 25 seasons of the Premier League, 30 of the 75 relegated teams have worn stripes.

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22 of those sides wore red, and a further 39 had a secondary colour of white… the same as the Black Cats, according to research from Sporting Index.

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Better news for David Moyes is that white is the most sported short colour to face the drop – though Sunderland’s black bottoms are next with 16 relegations.

White is the most common sock colour for relegated teams, with 20 sides.

Sporting Index

PA:Press Association

Sunderland face West Ham this weekend, and with ten points separating them from safety they sorely need a win.

Although given their 'unlucky' kit, their fate may already be decided.

Ed Fulton, spokesman for Sporting Index, said: “The bad news keeps coming for David Moyes.

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PA:Press Association

Reuters

"The fact that Sunderland are wearing the Premier League’s unluckiest kit won’t help the beleaguered Scot.

“Sunderland’s slide towards the Championship has seemed inevitable for a while.

"Moyes has tried and failed to turn around their form, but perhaps a change of kit could give the Black Cats the change of luck they need to avoid the drop.”