Can AZ’s flying attack survive the Stadium of Light? Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar prediction - 16.09.2026
On Wednesday, September 16, Sunderland welcome AZ Alkmaar to the Stadium of Light in the opening round of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase. The new campaign immediately offers an intriguing clash of styles: Régis Le Bris' side have started the season with a strong emphasis on defensive structure, while AZ arrive in England as one of the most productive teams in the Eredivisie.
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Sunderland: solidity comes before spectacle
Sunderland's completed competitive matches so far point to a fairly clear pattern. The Black Cats lost 1-2 away to Ipswich, then beat Fulham 1-0, drew 1-1 at Brentford and defeated Hull City 1-0 in the League Cup. That means Sunderland have scored exactly once in each of their four official matches while conceding only three goals in total. The team are rarely chaotic and are comfortable playing long stretches without opening the game up.
There is enough quality in midfield for Le Bris to control the tempo. Granit Xhaka provides experience and distribution, Noah Sadiki adds mobility, while Enzo Le Fée can operate between the lines and has already made a decisive contribution this season. Brian Brobbey gives Sunderland a physical reference point up front, with Nilson Angulo and Malick Fofana providing acceleration around him.
The hosts do have two confirmed significant absences. Habib Diarra remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, while Romaine Mundle is recovering from knee surgery and is not expected back until around the end of the year.
AZ Alkmaar: goals are coming from everywhere
AZ have made a much more explosive start. Leeroy Echteld's team won their first five Eredivisie matches before Friday's 1-1 draw with Willem II. Across those six league fixtures, AZ have scored 17 goals: they beat ADO Den Haag 2-0, Utrecht 4-1, Fortuna Sittard 2-0, Go Ahead Eagles 5-2 and Heerenveen 3-2 before dropping their first points of the campaign.
The attacking numbers are impressive, but there is another trend worth noting. AZ have conceded in each of their last three league matches, allowing five goals across games against Go Ahead Eagles, Heerenveen and Willem II. That makes the Dutch side dangerous but not invulnerable. Their aggressive approach creates opportunities at both ends, and Sunderland should have space to attack if they can bypass the first line of pressure.
Jordy Clasie and Peer Koopmeiners give AZ experience in midfield, while Calvin Stengs adds creativity and Mexx Meerdink and Ro-Zangelo Daal provide the direct threat in the final third. Stengs only made his first league start of the season against Willem II as the club continue to manage his fitness carefully. Denso Kasius was still unavailable in AZ's latest official team update.
Probable lineups
- Sunderland: Roefs; Mukiele, Danso, Ballard, Reinildo; Meunier, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fée, Angulo; Brobbey.
- AZ Alkmaar: De Busser; Maikuma, Goes, Hoedt, Chávez; Clasie, Koopmeiners, Kwakman; Stengs, Meerdink, Daal.
Match facts
Sunderland have conceded only three goals in their four completed competitive matches this season and have scored exactly once in all four. AZ are unbeaten after six Eredivisie rounds, have scored 17 league goals and have found the net in every league fixture. At the same time, the Dutch side have conceded in each of their last three Eredivisie matches.
Sunderland can hurt AZ, but keeping the Dutch quiet for 90 minutes looks difficult
This is a difficult game to reduce simply to the question of who wins. Sunderland have the home advantage, a disciplined structure and enough individual quality to exploit an AZ defence that has started giving opponents more chances. The Black Cats may not be prolific, but they have consistently found one goal in their competitive matches so far.
AZ, however, are arriving with much greater attacking momentum. Seventeen goals in six league games is difficult to ignore, and Echteld's side possess several different routes to goal rather than relying on a single forward. Even at the Stadium of Light, it is difficult to see Sunderland completely shutting them down.
The most logical scenario is therefore a competitive game in which Sunderland's organisation prevents AZ from taking control, but the visitors' attacking quality eventually produces chances. With AZ conceding in three straight league matches and Sunderland consistently finding a goal of their own, an exchange of goals looks more attractive than choosing either side to win.
Prediction: Both teams to score — Yes.
