AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur return to Europa League action on Thursday evening when they visit AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their last 16 tie.

By finishing in the top eight during the league phase, Spurs avoided the play-off round and earned some extra rest ahead of Thursday's duel. Their Dutch opponents were not so fortunate, however, beating Galatasaray 6-3 on aggregate to secure their place in the round of 16.

Tottenham head to Alkmaar in characteristically iffy form having won two and lost three of their last five outings. Victories over Manchester United and Ipswich Town were sandwiched in between defeats to Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester City. Struggling in the Premier League and out of both cup competitions, the Europa League serves as Ange Postecoglou's final opportunity to win a trophy in his second season in north London.

AZ had been on a run of seven games without defeat before the weekend loss at Heerenveen in the Eredivisie and the wonderfully-named Maarten Martens will be seeking a response from his players. They have already been beaten by Spurs in the league phase - 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October - and know they need a positive result to protect in England next week.

Here is 90min's guide to the fixture.

AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham head-to-head record (all time)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham on TV - UK & US

AZ Alkmaar team news

Troy Parrott faces his old side / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

The Dutch side will be without Jayden Addai and Sven Mijnans, with the latter possibly out for the remainder of the campaign with an Achilles injury. Ryan van Bommel - son of former Netherlands midfielder Mark - is doubtful to feature, as are Mexx Meerdink and Sem Westerveld.

Troy Parrott will lead the line for AZ on Thursday having left Tottenham for the Eredivisie outfit during last summer's transfer window. He's scored 17 times in 38 appearances for the club this term and will be keen to punish his former employers.

AZ Alkmaar predicted lineup vs Tottenham

AZ predicted lineup vs Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Owuso-Oduro; Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, De Wit; Clasie, Koopmeiners; Poku, Buurmeester, Lahdo; Parrott.

Tottenham team news

Dejan Kulusevski is expected to miss out / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

Tottenham's injury woes are easing up but Dejan Kulusevski is set to miss Thursday's duel with a foot injury. He's also expected to be absent for the upcoming Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

Radu Dragusin and Richarlison will miss the trip to the Netherlands, while the quartet of Antonin Kinsky, Fraser Forster, Sergio Reguilon and Timo Werner are all ineligible having been left out of the Europa League squad.

In better news, Dominic Solanke, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have all returned to full training and could play some part on Thursday. Whether they will be risked remains to be seen.

Ben Davies is another doubt for the European excursion as he nurses a muscle injury.

Tottenham predicted lineup vs AZ (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Gray, Danso, Udogie; Bentancur, Bissouma; Johnson, Maddison, Son; Tel.

AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham score prediction

AZ have lost just four home games in all competitions this season and have proven capable both domestically and in Europe. They are sixth in Eredivisie, KNVB Cup finalists and have tasted triumphs over Galatasaray, Roma and Ajax.

They will be a difficult outfit to sweep aside and will fancy their chances of unlocking a Tottenham defence that seldom keeps clean sheets.

However, Spurs should still be considered significant favourites for the battle, boasting a squad far superior and deeper than AZ. They have an array of game-changers in the final third and should outscore their hosts.