Europa League Predictions: Can Sunderland Make Their 53‑Year Wait Worth It?

William Hill News tipster @Footy_Tipster previews Wednesday’s UEFA Europa League clash between Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar.

Our Prediction: Both Teams To Score & Sunderland To Win (11/5), Sunderland 2-1 AZ Alkmaar (13/2)

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The Stadium of Light will be rocking on Wednesday night as Sunderland return to European action for the first time in 53 years, they welcome Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

Now, let’s take a closer look at some Europa League odds and betting angles for Wednesday’s fixture:

Sunderland v AZ Alkmaar – Wednesday, 8pm

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• Sunderland shocked many last season, their first campaign back in the Premier League ending with a superb seventh‑place finish that secured UEFA Europa League football and completely defied the betting markets.
• The Stadium of Light now prepares for its first European night in 53 years, with the Black Cats welcoming AZ Alkmaar just days after beating them 2–0 here on Saturday.
• This is the first ever meeting between the sides — and Sunderland’s first against Dutch opposition — and William Hill make them the 8/13 favourites to begin their Europa League campaign with a victory.

• AZ Alkmaar, unlike Sunderland, have been regulars in Europe, featuring in continental competition for an eighth straight season and reaching the Europa Conference League quarter‑finals last term.
• However, Leeroy Echteld’s side must overcome a grim record on English soil if they’re to get anything in the north east — AZ have lost all eleven of their previous European matches in England.
• Despite an unbeaten domestic start (W5, D1), that history is hard to ignore, though punters can back the Dutch side at 4/1 with William Hill if they fancy an upset.

*All odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*

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