BetGenius
Round
League Stage - 1
Venue
Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Referee
Jeremie Pignard, France
Form

Recent form

Sunderland
35Poor

Last 5 matches · 1W-1D-3L · -5 goal difference

AZ Alkmaar
70Strong

Last 5 matches · 3W-1D-1L · +4 goal difference

Our call

Our verdict

Combo Bet
BTTS Yes + AZ Alkmaar or Draw

BetGenius backs BTTS Yes + AZ Alkmaar or Draw (Combo Bet) at 64% confidence — a solid call.

64%
Confidence
Solid
Preview

Match preview

Sunderland welcome AZ Alkmaar for their opening fixture in the UEFA Europa League stage. The home side enters this European test having established solid form on their own ground, securing consecutive 1-0 victories against Hull City and Fulham alongside an earlier 2-1 win against Rennes. However, their defensive discipline will be tested against a free-scoring Dutch outfit.

AZ Alkmaar arrive undefeated across their last five fixtures, recording four victories and one draw. Their recent travels have been notably productive, earning away wins at Utrecht, Fortuna Sittard, and Heerenveen while tallying nine goals across those three away matches. With fifteen goals scored in their past five games overall, AZ possess considerable offensive punch heading into this tie.

Availability

Team news

Sunderland

  • R. MundleKnee Injury
  • D. BallardMuscle Injury
  • W. IsidorInjury
  • T. MeunierMuscle Injury
  • K. DansoRed Card

AZ Alkmaar

  • J. HornkampInjury
  • S. ResinkKnee Injury
  • K. SmitInjury
  • J. ClasieKnock
Numbers

Statistical comparison

Sunderland at homeAZ Alkmaar away
3
Played
5
1-0-2
W-D-L
3-1-1
0.3
Scored /game
2.2
1.3
Conceded /game
1.4
—
Clean sheets
20%
—
Failed to score
20%
60%
BTTS (last 5)
40%
40%
Over 2.5 (last 5)
60%

Combined scoring rate: 2.5 goals per game (Sunderland at home plus AZ Alkmaar away).

Table

Table context

#TeamPGDPts
6Union St. GilloisePromotion - Europa League (Play Offs: 1/8-finals)3+77
7JuventusPromotion - Europa League (Play Offs: 1/8-finals)3+67
8BeşiktaşPromotion - Europa League (Play Offs: 1/8-finals)3+47
9SunderlandPromotion - Europa League (Play Offs: 1/16-finals)3+27
10AZ AlkmaarPromotion - Europa League (Play Offs: 1/16-finals)3+46
11Omonia NicosiaPromotion - Europa League (Play Offs: 1/16-finals)3+16
12LyonPromotion - Europa League (Play Offs: 1/16-finals)3-16
13RennesPromotion - Europa League (Play Offs: 1/16-finals)3+15
BetGenius

Our record in UEFA Europa League

60%59 won from 98 settled predictions (1 void)

Settled results only — every published pick is recorded win or lose. Full track record →

Based on at least 20 settled predictions.
Predictions

3 published markets

FeaturedLOST
Combo Bet
BTTS Yes + AZ Alkmaar or Draw
64%
Both must land · no better than

Yes — 64% confidence

Both sides have demonstrated consistent ability to find the net. Sunderland have scored in all five of their recent fixtures, while AZ Alkmaar have averaged three goals per game across their past five outings. Four of AZ Alkmaars last five matches have seen both teams register on the scoresheet, pointing toward scoring opportunities at both ends.

AZ Alkmaar or Draw — 68% confidence

AZ Alkmaar have put together an impressive five-match unbeaten sequence, winning four of those games and showing exceptional efficiency away from home with three consecutive road victories. Sunderland have been dependable at home with three straight wins of their own, but AZ Alkmaars potent attacking output gives them a strong probability of coming away with at least a point.

These two calls are about different parts of the match (both teams to score and double chance), so neither one determines the other. The figure shown is the lower of the two — a combo can never be more likely than its weaker leg.

Combo BetLOST
Double Chance
AZ Alkmaar or Draw
68%
Confidence

AZ Alkmaar have put together an impressive five-match unbeaten sequence, winning four of those games and showing exceptional efficiency away from home with three consecutive road victories. Sunderland have been dependable at home with three straight wins of their own, but AZ Alkmaars potent attacking output gives them a strong probability of coming away with at least a point.

Combo BetLOST
Both Teams to Score
Yes
64%
Confidence

Both sides have demonstrated consistent ability to find the net. Sunderland have scored in all five of their recent fixtures, while AZ Alkmaar have averaged three goals per game across their past five outings. Four of AZ Alkmaars last five matches have seen both teams register on the scoresheet, pointing toward scoring opportunities at both ends.

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Published September 15, 2026. Form, team news and table context refresh automatically.