Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar – Match preview and team news
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Sunderland is set to play their first European competition in over half a century as they host AZ Alkmaar in their opening Europa League fixture this season on Wednesday at the Stadium of Light.
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Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 16th September.
- Kick-off: 8pm BST.
- Venue: Stadium of Light.
Sunderland team news
Sunderland enters their highly anticipated return to major European football with a largely fresh squad after manager Régis Le Bris heavily rotated his players in their recent domestic cup fixture.
A major boost for the Black Cats is the availability of left-back Reinildo Mandava. Despite receiving a red card in their weekend Premier League defeat against Arsenal, his suspension does not carry over to continental competitions, making him fully eligible to start tonight at the Stadium of Light.
However, Sunderland will have to navigate this opening fixture without key midfielder Habib Diarra, who remains sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Additionally, winger Romaine Mundle is out with a long-term knee issue and is not expected to return until early next year.
Fans should also note that players like Chemsdine Talbi, Jocelin Ta Bi, Melker Ellborg, Alan Browne, and Aji Alese are unavailable, as they were left out of the club’s official Europa League registration squad.
AZ Alkmaar team news
AZ Alkmaar travels to Wearside boasting an in-form squad, though head coach Leeroy Echteld must work around several notable absences in his lineup.
The Dutch side will be missing midfielder Kees Smit, who has been officially ruled out of the clash after picking up a groin injury.
His absence compounds existing selection issues for Alkmaar, as right-back Denso Kasius is also sidelined with a groin problem, and midfielder Stije Resink remains unavailable due to a knee injury.
Furthermore, backup goalkeeper Hobie Verhulst is ineligible for selection tonight. Despite these defensive and midfield blows, the visitors still possess plenty of attacking danger.
The Eredivisie side is expected to rely on its potent frontline, led by Ro-Zangelo Daal—who has already netted five goals this season—alongside forward Mexx Meerdink and playmaker Calvin Stengs to spearhead their offensive game plan.
Form
Sunderland
Sunderland enters the match experiencing mixed domestic form, logging two wins, one draw, and two defeats over their last five games. In the Premier League, they bounced back from an opening-day loss to Ipswich Town by defeating Fulham 1–0 and drawing 1–1 with Brentford. After a narrow 1–0 EFL Cup victory over Hull City, the Black Cats suffered a tough 2–0 home defeat to Arsenal last weekend.
AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar arrives on Wearside in devastating form, remaining completely unbeaten across their last 18 fixtures. The Dutch side put together a brilliant winning streak which included a 4–1 win over Utrecht, a 2–0 defeat of Fortuna Sittard, a 5–2 thrashing of Go Ahead Eagles, and a 3–2 victory over Heerenveen. They most recently drew 1–1 against Willem II.
Predicted lineups
Sunderland: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Danso, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Angulo, Le Fee, Fofana; Brobbey
AZ Alkmaar: De Busser; Dijkstra, Goes, Schouten, Chavez; Clasie, Koopmeiners; Stengs, Kwakman, Daal; Meerdink
How to watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar?
You can watch Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar live in the UK tonight on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate.
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