Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar Preview
Sunderland know how to get results at the Stadium of Light and frustrate opponents at home. AZ Alkmaar face a tough Europa League away test and the Black Cats can make a winning start.
Key Stats - Sunderland Win at Home
- Sunderland have won 4 of their last 5 home games.
- AZ Alkmaar have lost 2 of their last 3 European away matches.
H2H
This will be the first-ever meeting between Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar.
Sunderland Can Use Home Advantage
Sunderland have an impressive recent home record and are unbeaten in five of their previous six, winning four.
The Black Cats were on a four-match winning streak at home. Victories came against Chelsea 2-1, Rennes 2-1, Fulham 1-0 and Hull 1-0 and Sunderland allowed -1 XG in three of those games.
That winning run ended with a 2-0 loss against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light. Regis Le Bris' side had 1.8 XG and Enzo Le Fee missed a penalty before Arsenal scored two second-half goals.
AZ Alkmaar Facing a Higher Quality Opponent
Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar started the new season in decent form and are undefeated in seven consecutive games.
Alkmaar won three away matches in a row, starting with a 4-1 triumph at Utrecht. Lee-Roy Echteld’s side also beat Fortuna Sittard 2-0 and Heerenveen 3-2 away.
The Cheese Farmers dropped their first points of the season after a 1-1 draw against Willem II. Jordy Clasie scored in the first period and Alkmaar conceded in the final 10 minutes.
Predicted Starting Lineups & Team News
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Robin Roefs; Nordi Mukiele, Kevin Danso, Dan Ballard, Reinildo Mandava; Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki; Thomas Meunier, Enzo Le Fee, Nilson Angulo; Brian Brobbey
Attacker Romaine Mundle is out with a knee issue and midfielder Habib Diarra has a hamstring injury.
Regis Le Bris recently confirmed Diarra’s absence for the foreseeable future and said the midfielder “is in the middle of his recovery”.
AZ Alkmaar (4-2-3-1): Jari De Busser; Elijah Dijkstra, Wouter Goes, Lewis Schouten, Mateo Chavez Garcia; Jordy Clasie, Peer Koopmeiners; Ayoub Oufkir, Dave Kwakman, Ro-Zangelo Daal; Mexx Meerdink
Defender Denso Kasius and midfielder Stije Resink and are sidelined with long-term injuries.
Highly-rated central midfielder Kees Smit is unlikely to feature after missing the last two games due to a groin problem.