Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-23 19:00.
[p]Tottenham’s dramatic season continued when, less than two weeks after they conceded three goals within 20 minutes to lose to Brighton, they dealt a similar treatment out to West Ham to overcome a 1-0 deficit and win 4-1 to keep in touch with the top five of the Premier League. They also remain unbeaten in the UEFA Europa League, and with both victories in that competition immediately following Premier League wins, they’re well placed for their inaugural meeting with AZ Alkmaar. [/p]
[p]Manager Ange Postecoglou drew upon his previous managerial experience against Ferencváros to lead Spurs to a 2-1 away win in their previous Europa League fixture and can do so again here. He oversaw Celtic’s 2-0 win at home to Alkmaar in the 2021/22 Europa League group stage and now manages a team that has not lost a single continental home match, excluding a Covid-enforced walkover against Rennes, since the start of 2020/21 (W12, D2). [/p]
[p]The odds are heavily stacked against Alkmaar with pressure mouthing on head coach Maarten Martens after a 2-1 Eredivisie defeat at home to defending champions PSV condemned Alkmaar to their longest losing streak across all competitions (L4) since 2002, despite their defence not conceding more than twice on any occasion. [/p]
[p]That includes their first and only away trip of this league phase, in which they were held scoreless by Athletic Club (L 2-0). That could be a sign of the difficulties they’ll face in their three remaining away league phase matches, for Alkmaar have lost each of their last four UEFA games on the road, even despite three of them taking place in the lower-tier 2023/24 Conference League. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Pape Matar Sarr assisted one of Tottenham’s four goals against West Ham and will now be hoping for the favour to be returned after he scored in each of their two Europa League games. This will no doubt be a special fixture for Troy Parrott, who spent several years on Tottenham’s books before his permanent move to Alkmaar. He scored in their first Europa League game of this season. [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Tottenham’s last seven games across all competitions produced over 2.5 total goals. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]