Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar predictions: Dutch side can increase stakes for Spurs
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- Tottenham lost the first leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie 1-0
- AZ have not played since then, while Spurs have had a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth
- Recommended Bet: AZ Alkmaar to score over 0.5 first-half goals
With Tottenham currently 13th in the Premier League and out of both domestic cups, their sole focus is the Europa League and overturning a 1-0 deficit.
AZ took advantage of Spurs' lacklustre display and could regret not scoring more, with the Eredivisie side yet to win an away game in this competition this season.
Team news
Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven both featured in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth and could be Tottenham's starting centre-back partnership on Thursday.
Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended, while Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison are both injured for the hosts.
Mayckel Lahdo and Denso Kasius both picked up injuries for AZ in the first leg and will join Sven Mijnans, Ruben van Bommel, Jayden Addai and Mexx Meerdink on the sidelines.
The stats
Spurs' 2-2 home draw with Bournemouth means that they are without a win in three games following the loss in the first leg and the recent 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City.
These sides met during the league phase at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the hosts winning 1-0 thanks to a Richarlison penalty.
That win was one of three home victories enjoyed by Ange Postecoglou's team in the Europa League this season, drawing a fourth home match with Roma.
AZ are without a win in five away games in this competition, drawing twice and losing three times, which includes that loss to Spurs.
Prediction
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This is a huge match for Tottenham, whose season is effectively over if they fail to turn this tie around.
The personal stakes are also massive for their manager, Postecoglou, who can count himself lucky to still be in a job, having presided over the club's worst campaign in recent memory.
While Spurs have been hampered by injury problems, those fitness issues have largely cleared up in recent weeks, with the coach now having access to his first-choice defensive partnership again.
Yet it could take time for these players to get their sharpness back, with Romero delivering an error-strewn performance against Bournemouth, who could have easily scored more than twice.
Tottenham's job is likely to be made tougher by the fact that they will potentially concede and, with the former Spur Troy Parrott leading the line, AZ could ramp up the pressure with an early away goal.
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