Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar – Match preview and team news

The Football Faithful

·13. März 2025

Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar – Match preview and team news

Tottenham need to overturn a one-goal deficit against AZ Alkmaar to advance into the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Last week’s first leg saw the Dutch outfit dominate the Lilywhites. Lucas Bergvall’s first-half own goal was the difference on the night, with Alkmaar stifling Spurs.

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January signing Kevin Danso is the latest Tottenham defender to suffer a muscular issue. In his pre-match press conference, Ange Postecoglou indicated that the 26-year-old is unable to play due to a hamstring injury. But there are hopes that the Austrian – alongside Richarlison – face only a few weeks on the sidelines.

MATCHDAY! 👊 🆚 AZ Alkmaar 🏟️ @SpursStadium 🏆 @EuropaLeague ⏰ 8pm GMT
– Donnerstag, 13. März 2025

Ben Davies was involved in training and is on course to be included in the squad for the first time in almost a month.

Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended due to receiving a third booking in this competition last Thursday. Dejan Kulusevski is projected to return immediately after the upcoming international break.

Maarten Martens’ AZ have a slender lead to protect in north London this evening.

Mayckel Lahdo is ruled out for the second leg following the injury he sustained last week. The Swede only lasted nine minutes as he felt the full force of a challenge from fellow countryman Bergvall.

There is a possibility that Mexx Meerdink will be involved tonight. The striker has netted on seven occasions this campaign but hasn’t featured since January due to a hamstring issue.

Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar – Match preview and team news

Form

Tottenham: WWLLD

Tottenham Hotspur fell short at home again, although did show some character to salvage a draw against Bournemouth.

The Lilywhites found themselves 2-0 down in N17 as Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson struck past Guglielmo Vicario.

However, following the introduction of some fresh impetus courtesy of Lucas Bergvall and Heung-min Son, Spurs got themselves level. Pape Matar Sarr extraordinarily beat Kepa Arrizabalaga from range before Son equalised from the penalty spot.

That point saw them remain in 13th position in the Premier League and Spurs are now winless in three matches. Tonight will be the perfect time for Ange Postecoglou and his players to transform their recent fortunes.

AZ Alkmaar: DWDLW

AZ Alkmaar have had a full week to prepare due to not being in action last weekend following the first leg.

Maarten Martens’ side have failed to win in their last three away matches, albeit two of those were draws that ended up turning into victories.

Their 2-2 draw away to Galatasaray saw them triumph in the Europa League playoffs 6-3 on aggregate.

Another 2-2 stalemate, this time on the road against Heracles in the KNVB Cup, ended with AZ prevailing in the penalty shootout.

The Dutch outfit will be desperate to progress into the next round of the competition, something they haven’t done in over a decade.

Last Meeting: AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham, Europa League, 6th March 2025

A calamitous own goal from Lucas Bergvall was the decisive moment in the first leg last Thursday.

Disaster struck in the 18th minute for the Lilywhites as the teenager’s sliced clearance ended up in his own net. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario helplessly watched on as the ball sailed over his head and evaded Djed Spence on the goalline.

Spurs struggled to respond to that element of misfortune in Alkmaar. Tottenham academy product Troy Parrott raced clear of the defence for AZ but saw his effort smothered by Vicario.

Desperate defending from Ange Postecoglou’s outfit kept them in the contest moments before half-time. Kevin Danso was perfectly positioned to intervene on the line and Bergvall threw his body in the way of Peer Koopmeiners’ subsequent fierce attempt.

Proceedings developed into a frenetic affair after the restart. The much-involved Bergvall applied too much swerve to his strike at one end while Ernest Poku’s drilled shot was pushed wide by the goalkeeper.

Tottenham didn’t record a single shot on target until the 87th minute when Wilson’s Odobert’s cross-cum-shot was beaten away by Rome Owusu-Oduro. Their biggest chance to level matters came in the dying embers but the Frenchman’s header soared way over the crossbar.

Postecoglou and his players have work to do tonight if they are to prevent a disappointing exit from the Europa League.

Predicted Lineups

Tottenham: Vicario; Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bergvall, Sarr, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son.

AZ Alkmaar: Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Moller Wolfe; Clasie, Buurmeester, Koopmeiners; Poku, Parrott, Sadiq.

Who is the referee?

Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro will be the match official. Bruno Jesus and Luciano Maia will assist him while Joao Goncalves will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Tiago Martins and he will be assisted by Bastian Dankert.