Sunderland welcome AZ Alkmaar to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night for their first UEFA Europa League league phase match of the season.
It will be a huge occasion for the Black Cats, who are playing European football for the first time since the 1973/74 season. Régis Le Bris guided Sunderland to a seventh-place Premier League finish last season, securing their place in the competition.
Sunderland come into the match after a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, although the scoreline did not fully reflect their performance. The Black Cats created several opportunities and made life difficult for the reigning champions.
AZ arrive in strong domestic form. They are unbeaten in their opening six Eredivisie matches, winning five and drawing one, and have scored 15 goals during that run.
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What are the best picks for Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar?
Sunderland to win
I am backing Sunderland to make the perfect start to their European campaign.
The Black Cats have already shown that the Stadium of Light can be a difficult place for visiting sides. They beat Fulham 1-0 and Hull City 1-0 in their two most recent home matches before Arsenal arrived.
AZ are in excellent form, so this should not be an easy night for Sunderland. However, the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light should play a big part in a historic European fixture.
Sunderland also performed well against Arsenal despite losing 2-0, creating enough chances to suggest they can cause AZ problems.
Both teams to score
This is the goals market I like most for this fixture.
AZ have been prolific in the Eredivisie this season, scoring four against Utrecht, five against Go Ahead Eagles and three against Heerenveen in their last five league matches.
Sunderland have also shown they can create chances against strong opposition. Their performance against Arsenal produced 1.80 xG despite failing to score, while Brian Brobbey and Enzo Le Fée both had opportunities.
I expect both sides to have spells of pressure, making goals at both ends appealing.
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Brian Brobbey anytime goalscorer
Brobbey is another Sunderland player I like in the player markets.
The Dutch striker is expected to lead the line again, and his physical presence should give AZ’s defence a different problem to deal with.
Sunderland created chances against Arsenal and Brobbey was involved in their attacking threat.
With the home side likely to play on the front foot in front of a packed Stadium of Light, I can see him bagging one here.
Where can I watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar?
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar kicks off at 8 pm BST on Wednesday 16 September 2026 at the Stadium of Light.
The match will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7 pm.
The game can also be streamed through HBO Max, which is the streaming home of TNT Sports in the UK.
What have the managers said?
Régis Le Bris
Le Bris is relishing Sunderland’s return to European competition after the club secured a Europa League place with last season’s seventh-place finish.
Following Saturday’s defeat to Arsenal, the Sunderland boss highlighted what the occasion means to the club and its supporters.
“It’s a symbol for the club; we are getting better, the momentum is big. For the fans, it’s going to be crazy.”
Le Bris also stressed that Sunderland had earned their opportunity to compete in Europe after their impressive first season back in the Premier League.
Leeroy Echteld
AZ head coach Leeroy Echteld has also spoken about the importance of being prepared for the demands of European football.
The Dutch side have made an excellent start domestically, but Echteld has stressed the need for his players to maintain high intensity with two matches per week.
“We try to train hard every three days to prepare the boys for what is to come. We try to simulate what awaits us.”
Echteld has also praised the mentality of his squad after they came from behind to beat Heerenveen earlier this month.
What is Sunderland’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Roefs; Mukiele, Danso, Ballard, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Meunier, Le Fée, Angulo; Brobbey.
Injured: Habib Diarra, Romaine Mundle.
Sunderland are expected to keep a strong side for their European opener, with Xhaka and Le Fée providing experience in midfield and Brobbey leading the attack.
What is AZ Alkmaar’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) De Busser; Dijkstra, Goes, Schouten, Chávez; Clasie, Koopmeiners; Patati, Kwakman, Daal; Meerdink.
Injured: Denso Kasius, Stije Resink, Kees Smit.
AZ are expected to stick with the 4-2-3-1 shape they have used throughout the opening weeks of the season. Meerdink leads the line, while Daal and Patati provide the attacking width.
Score prediction: Sunderland 2-1 AZ Alkmaar
I expect Sunderland to make the most of their home advantage on a special night for the club.
AZ have enough attacking quality to score.
But Sunderland’s performance against Arsenal gives me confidence that they can compete with the Dutch side and ultimately edge a close contest.
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