The Europa League action gets underway across Wednesday and Thursday and we focus on 2 of the fixtures which feature English Premier League teams.
Sunderland welcome AZ Alkmaar before Crystal Palace host Lech Poznan.
WEDNESDAY:
SUNDERLAND vs AZ ALKMAAR
Sunderland have experienced a mixed opening to the 2026/27 season. They enter this contest following a 2-0 home defeat against Arsenal, having previously edged Hull City 1-0 in the EFL Cup.
Their prior Premier League results include a 1-1 draw away to Brentford and a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham, while they also suffered a 2-1 defeat against Ipswich Town.
AZ Alkmaar have made an impressive start to their domestic campaign. They were held to a 1-1 draw by Willem II in their latest outing, ending a run of five consecutive victories across all competitions.
That sequence included away wins over Heerenveen, Fortuna Sittard and Utrecht, along with comfortable home victories against Go Ahead Eagles and Den Haag. AZ have now netted 17 goals across their opening six league matches and should carry a considerable attacking threat.
Head-to-Head
These two sides have never met before in European competition.
Betting – Click here to bet
Sunderland 1.67
Draw 4.00
AZ Alkmaar 5.00
Verdict
Sunderland are firm favourites and will look to make home advantage count. However, AZ arrive in good form and have produced several strong displays away from home. The visitors should make this a demanding European opener, but I believe Sunderland will benefit from regularly facing a higher level of opposition and will do enough to take the win in a low scoring affair.
BET: Result and Totals – Sunderland and Under 4.5 Goals at 2.10
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THURSDAY:
CRYSTAL PALACE vs LECH POZNAN
Crystal Palace come into their European clash after suffering inconsistent results across the early weeks of the season. They suffered a disappointing 3-2 home defeat against Ipswich Town last time out, shortly after comfortably beating Middlesbrough 3-0 in the EFL Cup.
Palace previously secured a 3-2 victory away to Fulham but defeats against Manchester City and Everton underline their defensive vulnerability.
Lech Poznan saw their three-match winning run ended by a 2-1 defeat away to Gornik Zabrze. Before that setback, they collected league victories over Rakow Czestochowa, Jagiellonia and Widzew Lodz.
The Polish side also impressed during Europa League qualifying, defeating Thun 9-2 on aggregate after overcoming Klaksvik across two legs. Lech have scored freely throughout the campaign, although facing Premier League opposition away from home represents a considerable step up.
Head-to-Head
Crystal Palace and Lech Poznan have never faced one another in European competition.
Betting – Click here to bet
Crystal Palace 1.40
Draw 5.00
Lech Poznan 7.50
Verdict
Crystal Palace have lacked consistency but their recent victories over Fulham and Middlesbrough demonstrated the threat they carry going forward. Lech should be competitive after their strong qualifying campaign, but Palace’s greater depth and home advantage make them my preferred pick in what I am betting will be an entertaining game.
BET: Result and Totals – Crystal Palace and Over 2.5 Goals at 2.05
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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