AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-03-05 17:45.
[p]The draw for the UEFA Europa League (UEL) Round of 16 could hardly have been less forgiving to AZ Alkmaar, who for the first time in more than a decade find themselves in the last 16 of this competition. Standing between them and the quarter-finals is a two-legged meeting with title favourites Tottenham, who have already defeated them during the league phase (1-0 in London) of this edition. [/p]
[p]That was their fifth consecutive loss to a Premier League club since the start of 2022/23, extending what was already a miserable record against English opposition to 12 losses from 19 outings (W2, D5). AZ have at least been prolific goalscorers on home turf throughout this UEL, scoring 12 goals across their five home games and saving their biggest haul for the home leg (W 4-1) of their knockout play-off against Galatasaray in the last round. [/p]
[p]Even throughout the trials and tribulations of their worst Premier League in more than 15 years, Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou has been vocal in suggesting their UEL campaign is evidence that he was the right man to lead them through that injury crisis. Things are looking more positive on that front, and whilst they go into this tie off the back of a 1-0 loss to Manchester City, the week off will have been very valuable in terms of their fitness.[/p]
[p]Spurs had to rely on their attacking firepower to get them seven of a possible 12 league phase points on the road (W2, D1, L1), because their defensive unit conceded on all four occasions. Recording just two clean sheets from their six domestic games since completing the UEL league phase – both of which were in London – suggests they might struggle to hold back AZ’s goalscoring firepower. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Former Tottenham prospect Troy Parrott scored in four of AZ’s last six competitive home games, and all four were victories. Pape Matar Sarr has been short of goals lately but Spurs could benefit greatly from him turning that around as they won all five of his competitive goalscoring appearances this season. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Four of AZ’s five UEL home games this season saw both teams score, as did all four of Tottenham’s away UEL matches. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]