Chris Sutton has backed Newcastle United to be relegated from the Premier League this season.
The Magpies are currently winless from their opening 13 matches during this campaign and are rooted to the bottom of the table, six points from safety.
Newcastle also currently possess the worst defensive record in the division so far, conceding 29 goals already this season.
Eddie Howe’s side are expected to be busy in the January transfer window following the completion of the takeover earlier this year, however Sutton is unsure whether they will be able to attract the right type of player in a relegation battle.
Sutton was giving his Premier League predictions to Sportsmail and claims that the reason for their struggles so far this season is down to their defenders, who he thinks are not Premier League standard.
He said: “I don't think it's too soon to say Newcastle are entering 'must win' territory. They can try to hang on until the January window opens but even that will present its own problems.
“They will get the mercenary mob in, because which big-name talents are going to agree to join the club marooned at the bottom of the Premier League?
“Right now, Newcastle have a Championship back line with a couple of talented forwards in Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin.
“It's nice having all the money in the world but if the XI you name on a Saturday can't put in a performance then you're up a certain creek without a paddle.
“Eddie Howe's players have to be looking at tonight's game against Norwich as a must win, and the same goes for Burnley on Saturday.
“They can't get away from the fact that most fans across the country would be laughing if Newcastle go down. That adds to the pressure on Howe.”
Chris Sutton’s full predicted table
1) Chelsea
2) Man City
3) Liverpool
4) Man United
5) Arsenal
6) West Ham
7) Tottenham
8) Leicester
9) Aston Villa
10) Wolves
11) Brighton
12) Crystal Palace
13) Southampton
14) Watford
15) Everton
16) Burnley
17) Norwich
18) Leeds
19) Brentford
20) Newcastle
