Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar: Europa League Second Leg Preview
Tottenham Hotspur welcomes AZ Alkmaar to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie. After a 1-0 defeat in the first leg in the Netherlands, Spurs are up against it to keep their European dreams alive.
Lucas Bergvall’s own goal was the difference between the two sides in the first leg so Ange Postecoglou’s men have a lot of work to do. With domestic competitions already out of reach, the Europa League is Spurs’ only chance at silverware this season. Postecoglou has made it clear that this is their biggest game of the season.
Despite that defeat, Tottenham have reason to be hopeful. They are strong at home in Europe, winning four of their last five against Dutch teams. And they have scored in 29 consecutive Europa League home games, a record they will look to extend on Thursday.
AZ Alkmaar will arrive in London fully rested after their Eredivisie game was postponed at the weekend. The Dutch side have been in good form in 2025, knocking out Galatasaray in the previous round and making the KNVB Beker final. But they have never won in England in nine previous matches.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham are without Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison due to injury and suspension and Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies. Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero returned from injury at the weekend and will start.
Spurs will likely play 4-3-3. Guglielmo Vicario will start in goal with Pedro Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, and Destiny Udogie in defence. In midfield, Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and James Maddison will look to control the game and create chances. Brennan Johnson and Son Heung-min will play out wide and Dominic Solanke will lead the line.Starting XI (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Udogie; Bergvall, Gray, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son
AZ Alkmaar
AZ are without Mayckel Lahdo and Denso Kasius due to injuries from the first leg. Sven Mijnans and Ruben van Bommel are also out and Jayden Addai and Mexx Meerdink are still unavailable.
They will play 4-3-3 as well. Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro will start in goal, with Seiya Maikuma, Wouter Goes, Alexandre Penetra, and David Wolfe in defence. Jordy Clasie will play in midfield with Zico Buurmeester and Peer Koopmeiners. Troy Parrott will lead the line against his old club with Ernest Poku and Ibrahim Sadiq on the flanks.
Starting XI (4-3-3): Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe; Clasie, Buurmeester, Koopmeiners; Poku, Parrott, Sadiq.
Stats
- Tottenham have won 4 of their last 5 European games at home to Dutch teams.
- AZ Alkmaar have lost all 9 of their previous European games in England.
- Spurs have scored in each of their last 29 Europa League home games.
- AZ are winless in their last 10 away European games (D2 L8).
Player to Watch: Son Heung-min
Son Heung-min will be the main man for Spurs as they look to turn around the first-leg deficit. With Richarlison and Kulusevski out, Son’s creativity and finishing will be key for Spurs. His experience on big European nights makes him the main threat for Postecoglou’s side.
Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction
Spurs’ home form and attacking talent should give them the edge over an injury hit AZ Alkmaar team. AZ might cause problems on the counter through Troy Parrott and Ibrahim Sadiq, but Spurs will dominate possession and create enough chances to win.
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 AZ Alkmaar (Spurs win 3-2 on aggregate)
Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar Live Stream
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