Sunderland – AZ Alkmaar

Sunderland host AZ Alkmaar in what promises to be a stark contrast of form, with the Black Cats sitting 14th in the league on just four points from one win, one draw and two defeats, and a modest 3‑5 goal record. The Dutch side arrive in the top two, having amassed 16 points from an unbeaten run of six games, scoring 17 and conceding six. Sunderland will be desperate to turn their season around, while AZ look to extend their flawless record and cement their challenge for the title. The clash pits a struggling home side against a confident, high‑scoring visitors, setting the stage for a decisive test of Sunderland’s resilience and AZ’s ambition.