Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar Preview
- Spurs to win
- Spurs to keep clean sheet
Spurs’ Season of Highs and Lows Continues
Tottenham Hotspur‘s dramatic 2024/25 season shows no signs of slowing down. Less than two weeks after conceding three goals in 20 minutes to lose to Brighton, Spurs responded in emphatic style, overturning a 1-0 deficit to defeat West Ham 4-1 and keep themselves firmly in touch with the Premier League’s top five.
In Europe, they’ve also made a strong start, remaining unbeaten in the UEFA Europa League. With both of their victories in the competition immediately following Premier League wins, they’re well placed for their inaugural meeting with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
Manager Ange Postecoglou will be drawing upon his prior experience in European competitions to guide Spurs through this fixture.
His successful managerial stint at Celtic saw him mastermind a 2-0 victory over Alkmaar in the 2021/22 Europa League, and now, at the helm of Tottenham, Postecoglou commands a team that has been imperious at home in European competition.
Excluding a Covid-enforced walkover against Rennes, Spurs have not lost a single continental home match since the start of the 2020/21 season (W12, D2).
AZ Alkmaar’s Struggles on the Road
On the other side, AZ Alkmaar come into this game under mounting pressure. Head coach Maarten Martens is overseeing a difficult spell, with his side suffering a 2-1 defeat to defending Eredivisie champions PSV, extending Alkmaar’s losing streak across all competitions to four—their longest such run since 2002.
Despite their defence holding up relatively well by not conceding more than twice during this poor run, Alkmaar’s attacking output has let them down.
In their only away trip of the Europa League so far, Alkmaar were held scoreless by Athletic Club, losing 2-0.
This form does not bode well for their remaining away matches in this group stage, as they’ve lost each of their last four UEFA matches on the road, even in the lower-tier UEFA Conference League.
Players to Watch
Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur)
Sarr has been in excellent form, having assisted one of Spurs’ four goals in the West Ham victory. He’ll be hoping for his teammates to return the favour in Europe, having scored in both of Tottenham’s Europa League matches so far this season.
Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar)
This match will carry special significance for Parrott, who spent several years at Tottenham before making a permanent switch to Alkmaar. He’s already made his mark in Europe this season, scoring in AZ’s opening Europa League fixture.
Conclusion
Tottenham come into this match full of confidence after their impressive domestic and European performances.
Given their formidable home record in European competitions, it will be difficult for AZ Alkmaar to turn their form around in this match, especially with their struggles on the road.
Spurs are favourites to secure another win and strengthen their position at the top of their Europa League group.
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