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

Tottenham Hotspur face a uphill task against AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2024-25 UEFA Europa League. 

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Tottenham must simply win if want to progress to the Quarter-Finals.

AZ Alkmaar will advance if they avoid defeat but a 1-0 loss would see the tie go to extra-time and potentially a penalty shootout.

 

Team News

Ben Davies could return for Tottenham following his absence in their last five matches with an unspecified injury.

Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended for this return leg following his booking in the first leg, which was his third yellow card in this season’s competition.

Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Richarlison (calf) and Radu Dragusin (ACL) remain absent.

AZ Alkmaar could be without Mayckel Lahdo and Denso Kasius after the pair suffered unspecified injuries in the first leg.

Ruben van Bommel (unspecified), Mexx Meerdink (hamstring) Sven Mijnans (Achilles) and Jayden Addai (ankle) are still ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Tottenham host AZ Alkmaar at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday 13 March at 8pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 3 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Tottenham have won one of two previous Europa League meetings against AZ Alkmaar (W1, L1).
• AZ Alkmaar lost 1-0 in their only previous visit to Tottenham in this competition, which came in October 2024 in the league phase of this season’s competition.
• Both teams have won 1-0 at home in their two previous meetings.
• Spurs kept clean sheets in three of their four home games in the league phase (W3, D1).
• AZ Alkmaar are yet to win away in Europe this season (D2, L3).

 

Prediction

Although they’re 1-0 down on aggregate, Tottenham must take heart from their 1-0 win here in the league phase and how they fought back to draw against Bournemouth because this is a huge opportunity to turn the tie around if can play with more solid defending and clinical end product.

AZ Alkmaar however will feel confident that they can build upon their first-leg victory if can continue to put pressure on Spurs’ defensive lines but be more clinical, having only got lucky for their goal last week in a tightly-fought battle at home.

This game also feels like a crucial match in terms of Ange Postecoglou’s future as Tottenham manager but I do think that Spurs will come up with the goods, even if extra time is needed.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 (AET) AZ Alkmaar

Result: Tottenham 3-1 AZ Alkmaar (Tottenham win 3-2 on aggregate)