Sunderland vs AZ prediction: expert analysis, possible lineups, September 16, 2026
Europa League
In the 1st round of the Europa League main phase on September 16, 2026, Sunderland will face AZ. The experienced visitors will do everything they can to make the fight for victory more difficult for their debutant opponents.
Sunderland vs AZ team news and expert analysis
The Stadium of Light club finally secured promotion from the Championship a year ago. They immediately finished seventh, which earned them a place in the Europa League, a competition that is new to them. On the domestic front, the players began with a defeat to Ipswich, but then beat Fulham. They followed that with a draw against Brentford, before predictably losing 0-2 to Arsenal in the latest round. In the League Cup, they managed to beat Hull, although only by a 1-0 scoreline.
The Alkmaar side finished only seventh in the Eredivisie, but made up for that by winning the domestic cup. After the summer break, they shocked PSV by thrashing them 4-0 in the Dutch Super Cup. They then continued with a series of league victories, which allowed them to move to the top of the early standings. Only Willem II managed to hold them to a draw in the latest round.
The English side are scoring 0.75 goals per game this season while conceding 1.25. Their Dutch opponents, meanwhile, are averaging 2.83 goals scored and just 1.0 conceded per match.
Head to Head matches: Sunderland vs AZ
The English side have not played in European competition for a long time. It is therefore no surprise that this will be their first meeting with this opponent.
Sunderland are expected to win, but there are plenty of doubts surrounding them. For now, the neutral option is under 3.0 total goals (odds – 1.68).
Sunderland vs AZ: key statistics and trends
- Sunderland have won two of their last four matches
- 50% of Sunderland's matches have featured goals from both teams, with an average total of 2.0 goals per game
- AZ had won six matches in a row before their 1-1 draw in the latest round
- 67% of AZ's matches have featured goals from both teams, with an average total of 3.83 goals per game
Sunderland vs AZ: Possible starting lineups
Sunderland play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Roefs - Mandava, Ballard, Mukiele, Meunier - Sadiki, Xhaka - Angulo, Le Fee, Hume - Brobbey
AZ play in a 1-4-4-2 formation (possible lineup): De Busser - Chavez, Schouten, Goes, Dijkstra - Koopmeiners, Kwakman - Dal, Smit, Wesley Patati - Meerdink
Place your bets on the upcoming match and follow your team's position in the Europa League standings.
