Sunderland will get their Europa League campaign underway when they welcome AZ Alkmaar to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night.
The Black Cats are back on the continental stage for the first time since 1973 after exceeding all expectations by finishing seventh in their first season back in the Premier League.
Regis Le Bris’ side have made a mixed start to the new domestic campaign, taking four points from their opening four matches.
While Sunderland suffered a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, their spirited display offered more encouragement than the scoreline suggests.
AZ Alkmaar make the trip to the north east of England unbeaten in the Eredivisie this season, having recorded five wins and one draw.
Lee-Roy Echteld's side were left frustrated on Friday night, however, after conceding a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Willem II.
How the bookies view it: Sunderland on easy street
Sunderland are firm favourites to make a winning start to their Europa League campaign, with bet365 pricing the Black Cats at 3/5.
AZ Alkmaar are 15/4 to spring a surprise at the Stadium of Light, while the draw can be backed at 3/1.
Head to head: First-ever competitive meeting
Wednesday night’s clash will mark the first competitive meeting between Sunderland and AZ Alkmaar. However, the Black Cats did record a 1-0 friendly win in the Netherlands in 2005. A repeat of that scoreline on Wednesday night can be backed at 7/1 with bet365.
Players to watch: Brobbey to bag?
Brian Brobbey is still waiting for his first Sunderland goal of the season, but Wednesday night’s clash with AZ looks a good opportunity for him to get off the mark. The visitors have kept just one clean sheet in their last five Eredivisie matches, so the Dutchman looks worth backing to score or assist at 10/11 with bet365.
With AZ top scorer Ro-Zangelo Daal doubtful, Mexx Meerdink could be handed the chance to lead the line and looks good value to score anytime at 5/2 with bet365.
Predicted line-ups
Sunderland will once again have to make do without Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle, with both players sidelined through injury.
AZ Alkmaar have doubts over Denso Kasius, Mateo Chavez and Ro-Zangelo Daal, while Stije Resink remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury.
Sunderland: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Danso, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Meunier, Le Fee, Angulo; Brobbey
AZ: De Busser; Dijkstra, Goes, Schouten, de Wit; Clasie, Koopmeiners; Stengs, Kwakman, Oufkir; Meerdink
Anything else catch the eye?
Sunderland are too short to support at the above-mentioned odds, but backing the home win alongside under 4.5 goals boosts the price to 10/11 with bet365.
The Black Cats do not tend to blow teams away given their safety-first approach, so a low-scoring home success could be on the cards at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night.
Being in the thick of the action is nothing new for Granit Xhaka, who has been fouled 2.25 times per Premier League game this season. That makes the Sunderland skipper worth supporting to be fouled 2+ times at 5/6 with bet365.
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