Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar predictions: Spurs to shine in another entertaining win
- Spurs have made perfect start in Europa League, beating Qarabag and Ferencvaros
- AZ are 18th in the table with three points from two games
- Recommended bet: Tottenham to win and both teams to score
Tottenham will be aiming to make it three wins from three in the Europa League when they host Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
Tottenham are third in the early table, having beaten Qarabag 3-0 at home and then winning 2-1 at Ferencvaros, despite Ange Postecoglou fielding a very youthful side in the latter fixture.
AZ Alkmaar have struggled since beating Elfsborg 3-2 in their opening game, losing four straight matches across all competitions, which included a 2-0 Europa League loss at Athletic Bilbao.
Team news
Wilson Odobert is injured for Tottenham, but Radu Dragusin should return to the team following his suspension and Richarlison made his first appearance after injury in the 4-1 win over West Ham on Saturday so could feature again.
Former Tottenham youth product Troy Parrott is expected to start for AZ against his old club, with the Irish striker having scored six goals in 11 appearances this season.
Bruno Martins Indi, Wouter Goes and Mexx Merdink are all injured for the visitors, with Ibrahim Sadiq also a doubt.
The stats
Tottenham have won six of their last seven games and in their only defeat in that run, they were two goals up against Brighton at half-time, before losing 3-2.
AZ were unbeaten in their first six Eredivisie matches of the season, but have lost their last three games in the Dutch top flight.
Spurs are one of only five clubs to have won both of their two games in the Europa League, along with Lazio, Lyon, FCSB and Anderlecht.
AZ have lost all of their eight previous European ties in England, conceding at least two goals in each of them.
Prediction
With Postecoglou talking boldly about his record of winning trophies in his second seasons at his previous clubs, Tottenham should be taking this competition very seriously.
Changes to the format mean that teams no longer drop down from the Champions League and looking at the other sides involved in the Europa League, there is absolutely no reason why Spurs cannot end their trophy drought.
Balancing team selection will be key and Postecoglou was somewhat fortunate that the youthful side he picked against Ferencvaros emerged with a victory, after a difficult first half.
The manager has more senior options with the return of Dragusin and Richarlison, so he should be able to rotate thoroughly and still put out a strong XI.
Though the hosts should have too much for AZ, the Dutch team found the net in their 2-1 loss to the Eredivisie leaders PSV at the weekend and could score against a Spurs side that rarely keep clean sheets.
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