2026-27 UEFA Europa League: League Phase – Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar

Sunderland kick off their 2026-27 UEFA Europa League campaign against AZ Alkmaar. 

Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats qualified for this competition with a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League, whilst AZ Alkmaar likewise finished seventh in Eredivisie to secure their spot in the competition at this stage.

 

Team News

Reinildo is available for Sunderland because his suspension only applies to domestic fixtures, following his red card in a 2-0 Premier League defeat at home to Arsenal last Saturday evening.

Habib Diarra (hamstring) and Romaine Mundle (knee) remain ruled out.

AZ Alkmaar have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 1-1 Eredivisie draw against Willem II

Denso Kasius, Kees Smit (both groin), Stije Resink (cruciate ligament) and Hobie Verhulst (ineligibility) are ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Sunderland host AZ Alkmaar at Stadium of Light on Wednesday 16 September at 8pm BST, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Sunderland’s first meeting against AZ Alkmaar in all UEFA competitions.
• AZ Alkmaar are making their first competitive visit to Sunderland.
• This is Sunderland’s first competitive meeting against Dutch opposition in any UEFA competition.
• AZ Alkmaar have failed to win any of their 11 previous away games against English opposition in all UEFA competitions (L11).

 

Prediction

Having unluckily lost to Arsenal last Saturday, this is a chance for Sunderland to lay an immediate response because they certainly gave the Gunners a good test at times after they were outplayed for much of the first half, yet their finishing need to be more clinical.

AZ Alkmaar meanwhile will of been disappointed at their 1-1 Eredivisie draw against Willem II given their dominant performance, so I expect them to mount a response but they have just two clean sheets in their last six games which will give Sunderland some belief.

English soil also hasn’t exactly been kind to AZ Alkmaar at all in previous trips but I do think that Sunderland might just be the place that their losing rut in England ends.

Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 AZ Alkmaar