2024-25 UEFA Europa League Round of 16: First Leg – AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham

AZ Alkmaar host Tottenham in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2024-25 UEFA Europa League. 

AZ Alkmaar saw off Galatasaray in their knockout play-off tie to reach this stage of the competition, whilst Tottenham bypassed that round after they finished fourth in the league phase.

 

Team News

AZ Alkmaar could be without Ruben van Bommel and Mexx Meerdink due to injuries.

Sven Mijnans (Achilles) and Jayden Addai (ankle) are ruled out.

Tottenham will be without Dejan Kulusevski due to a foot injury which will sideline the Swede until April.

Mickey van de Ven (fitness), Cristian Romero (quad) and Dominic Solanke (knee) are in contention to return but Ben Davies (unspecified), Richarlison (calf) and Radu Dragusin (ACL) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

AZ Alkmaar host Tottenham at AFAS Stadion on Thursday 5 March at 6:45pm CET (5:45pm UK Time), live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• AZ Alkmaar lost their only previous meeting against Tottenham in this competition, which came away in a 1-0 loss earlier this season in the league phase.
• Tottenham are making their first-ever visit to AZ Alkmaar in all UEFA competitions.
• Troy Parrott has scored in each of AZ Alkmaar’s last two home games in this competition (W2).
• Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs failed to keep a clean sheet on the road in the league phase (W2, D1, L1), during which they scored eight goals and conceded seven goals.

 

Prediction

With just one clean sheet at home in this season’s competition despite not tasting defeat, AZ definitely have the attacking quality to cause issues for Spurs if they can sort out their own defensive issues but Parrott certainly will provide some extra motivation against his former team.

Tottenham meanwhile stuttered to a sloppy home league loss against Man City last week but with this competition now representing their hope of European qualification for next season, they need to put that defeat behind them and find a way to rediscover their recent up-turn in form despite lacklustre domestic cup exits.

Nevertheless this should be a close game especially after their initial meeting in the league phase but AZ this time should nick something.

Prediction: AZ Alkmaar 1-1 Tottenham

Result: AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham