Tottenham Hotspur
AZ
3.30
4
9.50
60%
90%
80%
All signs point towards a Spurs win here. Tottenham have won four of their last five, whereas AZ have lost their last four on the bounce. Spurs have also lost just once at home this season (against Arsenal), winning all of the other four games, having scored three or more goals in all of those four matches.
Over 2.5 goals have been scored in all of Tottenham's last five games and three of AZ's last five, so expect this one to produce quite a few goals. Tottenham 3-1 AZ Alkmaar.
Tottenham Hotspur take on Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar this weekend as they look to continue their ascent up the Europa League table.
Tottenham Hotspur sit third in their Europa League group having collected six points from their opening two matches. For Spurs, this season's Europa League campaign is of paramount importance. Spurs' trophy drought is well documented across the footballing world and is constantly used as a stick with which to beat the club, its fans and every other associated party. The North London side have not lifted a major trophy since their 2008 League Cup triumph, and the mocking jibes have only intensified over the years.
This season’s Europa League is perhaps the best opportunity for Tottenham to claim a trophy, especially following the competition's recent structural changes. The removal of Champions League clubs dropping down into the knockout stages has made the Europa League a more level playing field, with fewer traditionally elite clubs competing, and as a result, Spurs are considered one of the frontrunners, if not the frontrunner, for the title.
Despite this sense of optimism, Postecoglou’s side have been somewhat inconsistent in the early months of the campaign. The Australian manager, known for his commitment to attacking football, has overseen a Spurs team that has often dazzled with its high tempo, fluid brand of possession football. Yet, this has been accompanied by spells of defensive disarray and moments of puzzlingly disorganised play, leading to questions about the team’s prospects as an elite contender.
On the whole, there are positive signs for Tottenham under Postecoglou, as the squad appears to be buying into his philosophy, and their style of play has made them one of the more entertaining sides to watch in both domestic and European competitions. However, Postecoglou is under significant pressure to deliver results, and while progress is evident, the club’s supporters and board alike will be expecting tangible success in the form of silverware. Whether Postecoglou will be given the time to build a lasting project at Spurs remains uncertain, with the need for immediate results ultimately taking precedence.
AZ Alkmaar’s current position in the Europa League is less secure than Tottenham’s, as the Dutch side find themselves 18th in the table, collecting just three points from their two matches. Although their start to the campaign has been reasonably solid, it’s clear that Alkmaar face a difficult task in navigating this group and progressing deep into the competition.
In their domestic league, Alkmaar are enjoying a decent season, sitting fourth in the Eredivisie, a position they are likely to maintain. However, their European pedigree is less impressive, with the Dutch club exiting the Europa Conference League at the group stage last season, a disappointing outcome that they will be eager to improve upon in this year’s Europa League. Alkmaar’s European history includes some notable moments, though they have yet to claim a continental trophy. Their best performance came in the 1980-81 UEFA Cup, when they reached the final but were ultimately beaten by Ipswich Town over two legs. More recently, Alkmaar reached the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League two seasons ago, only to lose to West Ham United on aggregate.
Alkmaar are not a traditional European powerhouse, the club has never quite managed to break into the upper echelon of European football, but with given the financial disparity between Eredivisie clubs and those from more illustrious domestic leagues, it'll be hard for them to bridge such a huge gap. Alkmaar do not appear to have the depth or quality necessary to make a serious push for the trophy this season, and while they're a solid side, they lack the firepower to challenge the stronger teams in the competition.
The standout player for Alkmaar is Ghanian, Ibrahim Sadiq. The attacking midfielder has been in fine form this season, contributing four goals and three assists in all competitions.
This game will be televised live to all subscribed UK viewers on TNT Sports 1.
Tottenham Team News:
17-year-old Mikey Moore started Spurs' last Europa League game away in Hungary and could start again here, as could 18-year-old Archie Gray.
Wilson Odobert is Spurs' only injury absentee currently, and he's nearing a return from the hamstring injury that's kept him out for a couple of weeks now.
Predicted lineup: Vicario; Gray, Romero, Drǎguşin, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Moore, Richarlison, Werner.
AZ Alkmaar Team News:
The visitors should have a very fit and available squad for this one, with Wouter Goes likely to be the only absentee.
However, they'll be sweating over the fitness of star player Ibrahim Sadiq, who missed the game at the weekend.
Predicted lineup: Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Penetra, Dekker, Wolfe; Clasie, Belić; Sadiq, Mijnans, Van Bommel; Parrott.
Tottenham's form is strong coming into this game, with Postecogou's men having won four of their last five games. At the weekend, Spurs took on West Ham United in north London and despite going a goal down, they rallied back to win the game 4-1 through goals from Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissmouma, son Heung-min and an Alphonse Areola own goal.
Prior to that Spurs suffered a very psychologically damaging defeat at ay Brighton, were they were beaten 3-2 after going in at the half-time break with a 2-0 lead.
That result followed three straight wins against Ferencvaros (2-1), Manchester United (3-0) and Qarabag (3-0).
AZ's form has really dropped off in recent weeks as they enter this one with only one win from their last five games, losing their last four in a row. AZ's most recent game saw them fall to a 1-2 defeat at home to league leaders PSV. Their cause was harmed greatly after left-back David Møller Wolfe was sent off after just ten minutes, leaving the home side with far too much to do.
Before that, AZ lost 1-0 away at Fortuna Sittard, 2-0 away at Athletic Club in this competition and 1-2 at home to Utrecht.
AZ's last win was a 3-2 win over Swedish side Elfsborg in this competition, where Ruben van Bommell (X2) and Troy Parrott got the goals.
Europa League | Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 |  Lyon | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +5 | 6 | |
| 3 |  Tottenham | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 6 | |
| 4 |  FCSB | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 6 | |
| Last updated 20/10/2024 | ||||||||
Europa League | Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 |  Rangers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 | |
| 18 |  AZ | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 | |
| 19 |  Malmö | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 | |
| Last updated 20/10/2024 | ||||||||
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