Tottenham Hotspur will host AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, aiming to maintain their strong form in the competition after securing two victories in their group so far. Spurs are clear favorites heading into the match, given their recent performances, while AZ Alkmaar have been struggling, losing their last four games across all competitions.
Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar Team News & Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs will be without Wilson Odobert due to a hamstring injury, and there are doubts over Son Heung-min’s availability after he missed training. Manager Ange Postecoglou is likely to rotate the squad to manage the fixture congestion. Tottenham are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Fraser Forster in goal.
Archie Gray and Djed Spence are set to play as the full-backs, while Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies will pair up in central defense. In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur will play alongside Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall, with Bentancur adding defensive cover and Sarr tasked with breaking up opposition attacks. Lucas Bergvall will bring creativity to the midfield.
Up front, Dominic Solanke is expected to lead the attack, with Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner providing support from the flanks.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3):
Forster; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur, Bergvall; Johnson, Solanke, Werner.
AZ Alkmaar: AZ will be without Bruno Martins Indi, Mees de Wit, and Lequincio Zeefuik due to injuries. They are expected to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro in goal. The full-back positions will be occupied by Seiya Maikuma and David Moller Wolfe, while Alexandre Penetra and Maxim Dekker form the central defensive partnership.
Peer Koopmeiners and Jordy Clasie will play in the midfield pivot, looking to provide defensive solidity and drive. Sven Mijnans will operate in the number 10 role, tasked with unlocking Tottenham’s defense. Ibrahim Sadiq and Ruben van Bommel will play as wingers, using their pace to stretch Tottenham’s defense. Troy Parrott, facing his former club, will lead the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Penetra, Dekker, Wolfe; Koopmeiners, Clasie; Sadiq, Mijnans, Van Bommel; Parrott.
Key Stats:
- AZ Alkmaar are on a four-game losing streak in all competitions.
- They have conceded four goals in their last two Europa League matches.
- Tottenham have won five of their last six matches across all competitions, scoring 17 goals in those games.
- Spurs have netted five goals in their two Europa League matches this season.
Player to Watch: Dominic Solanke
Solanke, Tottenham’s main striker for the Europa League, will be looking to make his mark against an out-of-form AZ Alkmaar defense. His physical presence, aerial ability, and link-up play will be crucial, and given AZ’s recent defensive struggles, Solanke could be in for a productive night.
Prediction
Tottenham 2-0 AZ Alkmaar
How to Watch Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar
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