Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar prediction 16.09.2026 | UEFA Europa League
Sunderland
Kick off:
Date:
AZ Alkmaar
1
1.68
X
4.00
2
4.70
Contents
- Competition: UEFA Europa League
- Date: 16th September, 2026
- Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CEST
- Venue: Stadium of Light
Sunderland begin their 2026/27 UEFA Europa League campaign at home to AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday, with the Stadium of Light hosting European football for the first time in 53 years. The Black Cats qualified after an impressive seventh-place finish in their first Premier League season following promotion, while AZ enter the competition after another strong campaign in the Eredivisie.
Sunderland team overview
Sunderland have not had the most impressive start to the new Premier League season, having collected four points from their opening four matches, beating Fulham, drawing with Brentford, and losing to Ipswich and Arsenal. However, they responded with a 1-0 win over Hull City, ultimately progressing to the next round of the Carabao Cup.
Régis Le Bris continues to have attacking options available, including Brian Brobbey, Nilson Angulo and Malick Fofana. However, Habib Diarra remains out with a thigh injury, while Romaine Mundle is unavailable with a knee problem.
Reinildo was sent off against Arsenal, but his suspension is a domestic matter rather than a Europa League suspension.
Last matches of Sunderland
-
Sunderland
0 : 2
Arsenal
Premier League
-
Sunderland
1 : 0
Hull City
Carabao Cup
-
Brentford
1 : 1
Sunderland
Premier League
-
Sunderland
1 : 0
Fulham
Premier League
-
Ipswich Town
2 : 1
Sunderland
Premier League
Sunderland lineup
Goalkeeper
-
22
Robin Roefs
Defenders
-
32
Trai Hume
-
13
Luke O'Nien
-
15
Omar Alderete
-
17
Reinildo Mandava
Midfielders
-
34
Granit Xhaka
-
11
Chris Rigg
-
28
Enzo Le Fée
Forwards
-
39
Malick Fofana
-
12
Thomas Meunier
-
18
Wilson Isidor
AZ Alkmaar team overview
AZ have made a considerably stronger start, winning their opening five Eredivisie fixtures before drawing 1-1 with Willem II last weekend. AZ dominated Willem II with 67% possession and 22 shots, but conceded an 81st-minute equaliser after Jordy Clasie had given them the lead.
The Dutch side will be without Denso Kasius and Stije Resink, according to the latest available injury information. Calvin Stengs, Jordy Clasie and Mexx Meerdink provide significant creative and attacking quality, while Ro-Zangelo Daal has also started the season impressively.
Last matches of AZ Alkmaar
-
AZ Alkmaar
1 : 1
Willem II
Eredivisie
-
Heerenveen
2 : 3
AZ Alkmaar
Eredivisie
-
AZ Alkmaar
5 : 2
Go Ahead Eagles
Eredivisie
-
Fortuna Sittard
0 : 2
AZ Alkmaar
Eredivisie
-
Utrecht
1 : 4
AZ Alkmaar
Eredivisie
AZ Alkmaar lineup
Goalkeeper
-
28
Jari De Busser
Defenders
-
2
Seiya Maikuma
-
3
Wouter Goes
-
4
Lewis Schouten
-
5
Mateo Chávez
Midfielders
-
8
Jordy Clasie
-
6
Peer Koopmeiners
-
21
Dave Kwakman
Forwards
-
14
Calvin Stengs
-
11
Ro-Zangelo Daal
-
9
Mexx Meerdink
Prediction
The Black Cats' home advantage should keep this tie close, particularly after their encouraging performance against Arsenal. However, AZ's greater attacking efficiency and excellent domestic form in the Eredivisie - they currently sit second in the league table - make them slight favourites heading into this fixture.
Prediction: AZ Alkmaar Draw or Win (Double chance X2).
Three reasons we expect Double chance X2
- AZ are in excellent form heading into this fixture, as they currently sit second in the Eredivisie table.
- AZ have won five of their last six Eredivisie fixtures.
- Sunderland have yet to find their best form, having won just once in the Premier League ahead of their Europa League debut.
Main prediction Sunderland - AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar win or draw (X2)
Best Odds:
22bet
2.30
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar standings in Europa League
| League Stage | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AFC Bournemouth | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Celta de Vigo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Crystal Palace | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | NEC Nijmegen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Sunderland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Torreense | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Benfica | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | AC Milan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Juventus | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Real Sociedad | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Dinamo Zagreb | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | AZ Alkmaar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Salzburg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Olympique Marseille | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Olympiacos F.C. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Rennes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Celtic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Viktoria Plzeň | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Union Saint-Gilloise | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Ferencvárosi | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Olympique Lyonnais | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Sparta Praha | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Anderlecht | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | Sturm Graz | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Lech Poznań | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Omonia Nicosia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | TSG Hoffenheim | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | Hapoel Be'er Sheva | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Beşiktaş | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | Celje | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | Jagiellonia Białystok | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | Ararat-Armenia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | OFI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | Lillestrøm | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | Levski Sofia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |