Sunderland ready themselves to compete in Europe for the first time in more than 40 years.
The Black Cats last took their talents to the continent in 1973/74 by virtue of their historic FA Cup triumph over Leeds, securing back-to-back wins in the European Cup Winners' Cup against Vasas Budapest before losing out to Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.
Some four decades later and Regis Le Bris has brought the good times back to Wearside, first earning promotion back to the Premier League, then guiding his men to a seventh-placed finish in the top-flight. Final day victory over Chelsea earned them passage into the Europa League, where they kick-off their campaign with the visit of AZ Alkmaar.
The Dutch side pose a stern challenge to Sunderland, currently going toe-to-toe with PSV for the Eredivisie title in the early throwings of the season. De Kaasboeren won the KNVB Cup in 2025/26 before dismantling PSV 4-0 in the Dutch equivalent of the Community Shield. Winning five of their opening six league matches, they are in serious form.
Granit Xhaka skippers Sunderland, partnered in midfield by Noah Sadiki. Frenchman Enzo Le Fee will play a little further forward, hoping to combine well with centre forward Wilson Isidor.
Renildo -- sent off against Arsenal at the weekend -- is available to play tonight and gets the nod on the left side of defence.
Sunderland XI
Robin Roefs; Nordi Mukiele, Kevin Danso, Omar Alderete, Reinildo Mandava; Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka (C); Trai Hume, Enzo Le Fee, Malick Fofana; Wilson Isidor
