Read our Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar prediction with key betting tips, predicted lineups, bet builder insights, and standout odds for Wednesday's clash.
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Match Summary
Competition | Europa League |
|---|---|
Match Date | Wednesday 16 September 2026 |
Match Time | 20:00 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Stadium of Light, Sunderland |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | TNT Sports 1 (UK) |
The Europa League league phase gets under way at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland host AZ Alkmaar, the Black Cats back in Europe for the first time in 53 years.
Sunderland qualified by finishing seventh in the Premier League last season under Régis Le Bris, and go in as home favourites against Dutch opposition on Wednesday night.
AZ Alkmaar arrive in fine fettle, sitting near the top of the Eredivisie after a flying start to their domestic campaign and lifting both the KNVB Beker and the Johan Cruyff Shield to get here.
The engine room battle looks pivotal, and with plenty of attacking quality on show this opening fixture has the makings of an open, goal-filled evening on Wearside.
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Form
Sunderland come in off a 2-0 home Premier League defeat to Arsenal, but they had won two and drawn one of their previous three in all competitions before that. Brian Brobbey leads the line and captain Granit Xhaka anchors the midfield, giving the Black Cats a solid, experienced spine for their European return.
AZ Alkmaar have been flying domestically, unbeaten in the Eredivisie with 16 points from a possible 18 across their opening six league matches, scoring 17 goals along the way. Only goal difference keeps them off top spot, and forward Myron Meerdink and playmaker Dave Kwakman have driven that free-scoring start.
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Sunderland: Habib Diarra (Injured/out), Romaine Mundle (Injured/out)
AZ Alkmaar: Sem Resink (Injured/out), Ro-Zangelo Daal (Injured/doubtful), Mateo Chávez (Injured/doubtful)
Sunderland
Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle are both ruled out for the hosts. Reinildo was sent off against Arsenal at the weekend but that suspension does not carry into this competition, so he is available for selection here.
AZ Alkmaar
Ro-Zangelo Daal and Mateo Chávez are both doubtful after picking up knocks against Willem II, with Sem Resink also sidelined. Mees de Wit and Ayoub Oufkir are in line to come into the side if the pair miss out at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Predicted Lineup
Sunderland
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup (probable): Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Mandava; Xhaka, Sadiki; Meunier, Le Fée, Fofana; Brobbey
AZ Alkmaar
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup (probable): De Busser; Maikuma, Schouten, Goes, de Wit; Koopmeiners, Clasie; Stengs, Kwakman, Oufkir; Meerdink
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Key Stats & Match Facts
This is Sunderland's first competitive European fixture at the Stadium of Light since the stadium opened in 1997.
AZ Alkmaar have lost all 11 of their previous away European matches played on English soil.
AZ Alkmaar scored 17 goals across their first six domestic matches of the 2026-27 season.
The prediction engine projects a match total of 3.39 goals and rates both teams to score at 61.4%.
Sunderland are rated home favourites with a 61.16% win probability, against 19.09% for AZ Alkmaar.
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: This one has goals written all over it. The numbers make Sunderland clear home favourites, but AZ Alkmaar carry real attacking threat, and with both teams tipped to score we are expecting an open, entertaining contest that the hosts edge on the night.
Best Bets
Back Over 3.5 goals in the Total Goals Over/Under market for Sunderland against AZ Alkmaar. The projection points to a high-scoring fixture with an expected total of 3.39 goals and a 61.4% both teams to score reading. With Over 3.5 carrying a 42.93% implied probability against a shorter market line, there is genuine value in the goals.
Back Dave Kwakman Over 1.5 fouls in the Player Fouls market. Kwakman starts in central attacking midfield and faces heavy defensive graft against a Sunderland side projected to dominate the ball. The engine flags a 60.13% implied probability of him committing at least two fouls, which stacks up nicely.
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Bet Builder
Four legs combined: Sunderland to win, Brian Brobbey to score anytime, both teams to score and Mateo Chávez to be shown a card in a contested European tie.
Sunderland are clear home favourites with a 61.16% win probability, and the numbers back the Black Cats to see off the Dutch side on their own patch.
Brobbey leads the line and carries a 41.08% goalscorer implied probability, so the former Ajax man finding the net against Dutch opposition holds real appeal.
With a 61.4% both teams to score probability and AZ netting 17 in six league games, backing goals at both ends looks a sound leg.
Chávez is rated a doubt but if involved carries a 34.87% implied probability of a card, fitting for a competitive fixture where fouls should mount up.
This bet builder tops out at 12/1 and drops to 9/1 at the shortest end of the market.
Shop around for the top price on your Bet Builder using Oddschecker's Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Talking Points
The subplots write themselves here. Brian Brobbey, who joined Sunderland from Ajax in 2025, comes up against Dutch opposition and will be desperate to leave his mark on the club's European return. Behind him, captain Granit Xhaka brings serious tournament pedigree to the engine room, with youth academy graduate Chris Rigg another to watch. AZ Alkmaar, meanwhile, have found their feet quickly after landing both the KNVB Beker and the Johan Cruyff Shield, and their free-scoring domestic form makes them dangerous visitors despite that grim record on English soil.
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Predictions FAQs
When is the Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Europa League game?
The match takes place on Wednesday 16 September 2026, kicking off at 20:00 UK time.
Where is Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar being played?
The match is being played at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.
Where can I watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar?
In the UK, Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1.
What competition is Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar in?
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar is a fixture in the Europa League.
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