Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar prediction and tips: 1-1 draw @ 7/1 has appeal

Sunderland play their first European match in over half a century on Wednesday night as they host in-form AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League. The Black Cats last graced continental competition in 1973 when they reached the second round of the Cup Winners’ Cup but their impressive seventh-placed finish in the Premier League last season has earned a return.

AZ have a miserable record in England , losing all 11 matches on these shores, but they are a dangerous side who have enjoyed an impressive 2026 to date, including making a flying start to the new season.

Sunderland have also had a solid first few weeks of their campaign, albeit from a largely favourable-looking fixture list, and we can see this being a close game. Goals have not been in abundance in Sunderland fixtures so far, with just nine scored in their five matches, so we’re going for a 1-1 draw @ 7/1.

Betting Odds

Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Betting Odds – Europa League 2026-27

*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.

Sunderland are 4/7 favourites to beat AZ Alkmaar , who are 7/2 for the win, with the draw at 3/1.

How to Watch

How to watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar

The Europa League league-stage match is scheduled to begin at 20:00 on Wednesday and will be shown live on TNT Sports 1

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Form Guides

Sunderland form guide

Sunderland have recorded two wins, two defeats and a draw from their five competitive matches so far, helping to allay fears they might come crashing back down after the highs of last season. They suffered a demoralising start, conceding a last-gasp goal to lose 2-1 at promoted Ipswich first up, but responded with a 1-0 home win over Fulham .

Regis Le Bris’ men then claimed a useful point away to Brentford before beating Hull in the Carabao Cup third round thanks to Chemsdine Talbi’s second-half winner. The Black Cats also held champions Arsenal goalless for almost an hour on Saturday before the Gunners battled their way to a 2-0 win at the Stadium of Light.

All of Sunderland’s matches this season have been level at half-time , with four of them goalless, and we’re backing that to be the case again tomorrow, at odds of 13/10 . Netherlands striker Brian Brobbey has yet to get off the mark but he will be looking to get one over his countrymen and is 4/1 to open the scoring.

AZ Alkmaar form guide

AZ have been one of the Eredivisie’s leading lights in recent years and they had another memorable campaign last season. The 'Cheeseheads' lifted the Dutch Cup for the first time since 2013 with a 5-1 mauling of NEC in the final - having demolished Ajax 6-0 in the last 16 - while they also reached the Conference League quarter-finals.

A seventh-placed Erediviise finish wasn’t great by their standards, having been a top-six fixture every season since 2014, but it was decent enough and they are back up among the frontrunners at the start of this term.

Lee-Roy Echteld’s men thrashed 10-man PSV Eindhoven 4-0 in the Dutch Super Cup before winning their opening five Eredivisie games. They had looked on course for sixth successive victory only to concede an 81st-minute equaliser on Friday night as Willem II snatched a 1-1 draw.

Ro-Zangelo Daal has scored four Eredivisie goals so far and is 4/1 to add to that tally on Wearside , while Mexx Meerdink (9/4), Jizz Hornkamp (5/2) and Ayoub Oufkir (9/2) will all be hunting their third goals of the campaign.

Betting Tips

Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Betting Tips – Europa League 2026-27

1-1 draw @ 7/1

Draw at half-time @ 13/10

Ro-Zangelo Daal to score at any time @ 4/1

Simply click/tap on the above betting tips to add to your betslip.

*Prices are subject to fluctuation

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