AZ Alkmaar have won five of their six Eredivisie matches this season.
Four of AZ's last five matches have seen both teams score.
Recommended bet: Draw or AZ Alkmaar - Double chance & Both teams to score @ 1.65/1 with LiveScore Bet
Sunderland play European football at the Stadium of Light for the first time as they begin their Europa League campaign against AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday evening.
It is a landmark occasion for Regis Le Bris' side, who are competing in European competition for the first time since 1973.
AZ have made an excellent start to the Eredivisie season, winning six of their opening seven games in all competitions.
Their most recent outing brought a 1-1 home draw against Willem II, but that was their first dropped points of the campaign after five consecutive league victories.
There is no previous head-to-head history between the sides, but AZ's record in England is a significant concern – they have lost all 11 of their previous matches on English soil.
The latest Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Sunderland have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their first European match in more than five decades. Brian Brobbey will likely lead the attack against an AZ side he has faced 10 times during his career.
The visitors are expected to be without Kees Smit, who has missed their last two matches through injury.
Ro-Zangelo Daal will be one to watch for AZ after contributing four Eredivisie goals this season and five goals or assists across his last four European appearances.
The stats
Sunderland have won two, drawn one and lost one of their last four competitive matches.
The Black Cats' opponents have received two or more yellow cards in each of their last eight home games.
AZ have won all four of their away matches this season, scoring 13 goals in the process
AZ have won five of their opening six Eredivisie matches this season and four of their last five games have seen both teams score.
The Dutch side have lost on all 11 of their previous trips to England.
The latest Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Sunderland's first European home game in 53 years should provide an excellent atmosphere, but AZ arrive in stronger domestic form and have already demonstrated their ability to score goals on the road.
The Dutch side have won five of their six Eredivisie games and their recent away victories over Utrecht, Fortuna Sittard and Heerenveen underline their attacking threat.
Four of their last five matches have produced goals at both ends, while five of their seven competitive games this season have seen goals scored in both halves.
Sunderland have been much harder to break down at home, with just one of their last eight matches at the Stadium of Light seeing both teams score.
However, they conceded twice against Arsenal at the weekend and face an AZ side who have scored 15 goals in its opening six league games.
AZ's remarkable record of 11 defeats from 11 visits to England is enough to make the double chance preferable to backing the visitors outright, but their current form makes them difficult to oppose.
Score prediction: Sunderland 1-2 AZ Alkmaar
Back Draw or AZ Alkmaar and both teams to score at 1.65/1 with LiveScore Bet
