Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | 16 September 2026

Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar prediction: Goal.mu predicts Sunderland 2-2 AZ Alkmaar.

Match Details

• Fixture: Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar
• Competition: UEFA Europa League
• Date: Wednesday, September 16
• Venue: Stadium of Light
• Prediction: Sunderland 2-2 AZ Alkmaar

A European Night 53 Years in the Making

The Black Cats were beaten on home soil by Premier League champions Arsenal last weekend, while the Cheese Farmers preserved their unbeaten domestic run with an Eredivisie draw against Willem II last Friday.

Sunderland were competing in the third division of English football only five seasons ago, but they are now gearing up for their first campaign in UEFA competition since 1973 after exceeding expectations to secure seventh place in the Premier League last season.

The Black Cats have since made a mixed start to the new season, with two wins, one draw and two defeats posted across their opening five domestic matches in all competitions, most recently following up a 1-0 EFL Cup win over Hull City with a 2-0 league defeat at home to Arsenal on Saturday.

Sunderland’s Home Responsibility

Sunderland have now lost five of their last nine Premier League matches at the Stadium of Light (W3 D1), and head coach Regis Le Bris was left “frustrated” after his side came away empty-handed from a fixture where they went “toe-to-toe” with the reigning champions.

The Substitution Battle

That principle becomes match-specific here because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar are likely to defend and attack from different starting positions. In Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, that point takes on a specific meaning because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar use different routes to progress the ball.

In Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, that point takes on a specific meaning because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar use different routes to progress the ball. The best change in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar may be the player who solves the live problem, whether that means adding pace, control or a more reliable first pass.

AZ’s Outstanding Domestic Start

A tricky trip to Man City is just around the corner for the Black Cats, but their attention must now turn to this week’s eagerly-anticipated League Phase opener in the Europa League, and their first European fixture on home soil since beating Sporting Lisbon 2-1 in the first leg of a 1973 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup second-round tie (before going on to lose 3-2 on aggregate).

What Le Fee, Fofana, Brobbey Need to Give Sunderland

For Sunderland, Le Fee, Fofana, Brobbey need complementary movement. In Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, that point takes on a specific meaning because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar use different routes to progress the ball.

Applied to Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, the question is which side recognises the available space first and acts before the opponent can recover.

The Xhaka-Clasie Midfield Axis

Preparing for their first competitive encounter against Dutch opposition, Sunderland will be regarded as somewhat of an unknown quantity on the continent, but Le Bris will know that transforming the Stadium of Light into a fortress is paramount if they are to secure a top-eight finish in the 36-team League Phase.

What Kwakman, Daal, Meerdink Need to Give AZ Alkmaar

AZ Alkmaar's front unit of Kwakman, Daal, Meerdink may receive fewer sustained attacks, so each touch carries more value. That principle becomes match-specific here because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar are likely to defend and attack from different starting positions.

The detail matters differently in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, where the likely lineups create a distinct balance between control and transition risk.

Team News

Despite finishing down in seventh place in the Eredivisie last season, AZ Alkmaar have qualified for the Europa League this term after winning the KNVB Beker for the fifth time in their history, courtesy of a 5-1 triumph over NEC in the final in April.

Sunderland are still having to cope without injured duo Habib Diarra (thigh) and Romaine Mundle (knee), while Chemsdine Talbi , Jocelin Ta Bi, Melker Ellborg, Alan Browne and Aji Alese have all been omitted from the club’s Europa League squad.

Reinildo Mandava was sent off in the closing stages of the defeat to Arsenal, but the left-back will only serve a domestic ban and is therefore available to play on Wednesday.

Le Bris is likely to name a strong side including the likes of Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Granit Xhaka , Enzo Le Fee and ex-Ajax striker Brian Brobbey , while new signing Malick Fofana will be hoping to force his way into the first XI for the first time.

As for AZ Alkmaar, key midfielder Kees Smit is set to miss out with a groin injury, while right-back Denso Kasius (groin), midfielder Stije Resink (knee) and goalkeeper Hobie Verhulst (ineligible) are all unavailable for selection.

Possible Starting Lineups

Leeroy Echteld then steered the Cheese Farmers to a statement 4-0 win over Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven in the Johan Cruyff Shield, and they have since made their joint second-best start to a top-flight campaign, winning five and drawing one of their opening six league games.

Sunderland possible XI: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Danso, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Angulo, Le Fee, Fofana; Brobbey.

AZ Alkmaar possible XI: De Busser; Dijkstra, Goes, Schouten, Chavez; Clasie, Koopmeiners; Stengs, Kwakman, Daal; Meerdink.

Fofana and Brobbey’s Threat

Maximum points were collected against Den Haag (2-0), FC Utrecht (4-1), Fortuna Sittard (2-0), Go Ahead Eagles (5-2) and Heerenveen (3-2) before AZ were held to a 1-1 home draw by Willem II last Friday after conceding an 81st-minute goal.

The Emotional Layer

Confidence also shapes Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar. That principle becomes match-specific here because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar are likely to defend and attack from different starting positions.

That principle becomes match-specific here because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar are likely to defend and attack from different starting positions. That principle becomes match-specific here because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar are likely to defend and attack from different starting positions.

AZ’s Front Three

Sitting second in the table and level on points with PSV at the summit, AZ are gearing up for their ninth campaign in the Europa League, while they progressed to the quarter-finals of the Conference League last season, losing 5-2 on aggregate to Shakhtar Donetsk.

How the Final 15 Minutes Could Open Up

If Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar remains close late on, the spaces should increase. That principle becomes match-specific here because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar are likely to defend and attack from different starting positions.

That creates chances at both ends. In Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, that point takes on a specific meaning because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar use different routes to progress the ball.

Recent Form in Context

AZ travel to the North East this week with a poor record against English opposition in European competition, winning only three of their previous 22 matches (D5 L14). They most recently suffered a 3-1 away defeat to Crystal Palace in the League Phase of last season’s Conference League, a year after beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at home in the first leg of a Europa League last-16 tie.

That point matters in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar because it affects confidence and risk. Applied to Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, the question is which side recognises the available space first and acts before the opponent can recover.

How Sunderland Can Build Pressure

Sunderland need their possession to have a clear destination. With Roefs behind a back line likely to feature Mukiele, Ballard, Danso, Reinildo, the first phase should be about drawing pressure and then finding Xhaka, Sadiki, Angulo with enough space to turn.

The detail matters differently in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, where the likely lineups create a distinct balance between control and transition risk. If the hosts can remove the first pressing line, Le Fee, Fofana, Brobbey can stay higher and attack a defence that is already moving backwards.

How AZ Alkmaar Can Escape the First Press

AZ Alkmaar's response after winning the ball could decide whether they spend the evening defending or competing. Clasie, Koopmeiners, Stengs need to recognise when a direct pass towards Kwakman, Daal, Meerdink is on and when the safer choice is to keep possession for a few seconds.

In Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, that point takes on a specific meaning because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar use different routes to progress the ball. Applied to Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, the question is which side recognises the available space first and acts before the opponent can recover.

The Second-Ball Battle

The detail matters differently in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, where the likely lineups create a distinct balance between control and transition risk. For this matchup, the practical issue is whether Sunderland can impose the next phase before AZ Alkmaar reset their shape.

Rest Defence and Transition Risk

That principle becomes match-specific here because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar are likely to defend and attack from different starting positions. The detail matters differently in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, where the likely lineups create a distinct balance between control and transition risk.

In Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, poor spacing behind an attack could immediately expose the centre-backs to runners. Applied to Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, the question is which side recognises the available space first and acts before the opponent can recover.

The Goalkeepers’ Tactical Role

Roefs and De Busser can influence Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar before either faces a serious shot. In Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, that point takes on a specific meaning because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar use different routes to progress the ball.

Why the Wide Areas Matter

In Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, that point takes on a specific meaning because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar use different routes to progress the ball. Sunderland can use overlaps to stretch AZ Alkmaar, while the visitors can target the space left by those same forward runs.

Timing is the key. That principle becomes match-specific here because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar are likely to defend and attack from different starting positions.

The First Goal Changes the Risk

The opening goal in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar would alter the tactical choices available to both teams. The detail matters differently in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, where the likely lineups create a distinct balance between control and transition risk.

The detail matters differently in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, where the likely lineups create a distinct balance between control and transition risk. The detail matters differently in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, where the likely lineups create a distinct balance between control and transition risk.

Set Pieces as an Alternative Route

In a match such as Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, one well-rehearsed corner or wide free kick can overturn a long period of tactical balance.

The Match Could Be Won Between the Boxes

Many of the decisive moments in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar may occur outside either penalty area. The detail matters differently in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, where the likely lineups create a distinct balance between control and transition risk.

For this matchup, the practical issue is whether Sunderland can impose the next phase before AZ Alkmaar reset their shape. The detail matters differently in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, where the likely lineups create a distinct balance between control and transition risk.

How Sunderland Can Use the Crowd and Venue

Sunderland should try to make the venue part of the tactical picture. In Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, that point takes on a specific meaning because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar use different routes to progress the ball.

How AZ Alkmaar Can Slow the Match Down

AZ Alkmaar do not have to match the home tempo at every stage. That principle becomes match-specific here because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar are likely to defend and attack from different starting positions.

In Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, that point takes on a specific meaning because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar use different routes to progress the ball. In Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, that point takes on a specific meaning because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar use different routes to progress the ball.

The Space Behind the Full-Backs

One recurring danger in Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar is the space behind advancing full-backs. In Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, that point takes on a specific meaning because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar use different routes to progress the ball.

Why One Clean Chance May Be Enough

Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar may contain long tactical phases without many clear openings. In Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, that point takes on a specific meaning because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar use different routes to progress the ball.

For this matchup, the practical issue is whether Sunderland can impose the next phase before AZ Alkmaar reset their shape. Applied to Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar, the question is which side recognises the available space first and acts before the opponent can recover.

Prediction and Betting View

• Full-time result: Draw
• Double chance: Sunderland or Draw
• Both teams to score: Yes
• Goals: Over 2.5 goals
• Correct score: Sunderland 2-2 AZ Alkmaar

For this matchup, the practical issue is whether Sunderland can impose the next phase before AZ Alkmaar reset their shape.

Final Verdict

Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar should be decided by the team that manages the spaces between attacks more intelligently. That principle becomes match-specific here because Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar are likely to defend and attack from different starting positions.

Goal.mu’s final call is Sunderland 2-2 AZ Alkmaar.