Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction & Tips
Spurs take on AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday 24th October (kick-off 8pm) with the match being played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London and shown live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar Predictions
- Full Time Result: Tottenham Win
- Correct Score: 2-0
- Both Teams To Score: No
- Over 2.5 Goals: No
- First Goalscorer: Pape Matar Sarr
Tottenham bounced back from their capitulation at Brighton – the Lilywhites led by two goals before succumbing to a 3-2 defeat – in style on Saturday, routing their London rivals West Ham 4-1.
That scoreline flattered the Hammers somewhat and the Spurs players will have confidence flowing through their veins ahead of Thursday’s clash with Alkmaar, who are in a paradoxical situation.
The Dutch outfit’s defeat to PSV over the weekend means they have now lost four games in a row for the first time since 2002, suggesting they may be in for a tough time against Tottenham, who are one of only five teams with a perfect record in the Europa League this term.
The Lilywhites will make changes for this clash, but even a second-string Spurs should be enough to see off their struggling visitors with ease.
Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar Tips
Tip 1
With Alkmaar in the midst of a miserable run and Spurs’ confidence high following their London derby rout, the points look sure to go the way of the hosts on Thursday.
And it could prove to be a comfortable victory for the hosts, too. Their sole home loss this term came against Premier League title challengers and rivals Arsenal, with their other four matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium seeing them win with ease.
The results in that run read 4-0, 3-1, 3-0, 4-1 and it could pay to back Ange Postecoglou’s side to cruise to victory in front of their fans once more.
The Lilywhites have won all seven of their Europa League home matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and, given each of those victories have come via at least a two-goal margin, it seems worth backing them to clear the handicap against their struggling Dutch visitors.
Tip 2
Pape Matar Sarr was part of a controversial tactical switch on Saturday, but it was one which was soon vindicated.
Despite a lively first half, James Maddison was withdrawn at half-time by Postecoglou and replaced by the Senegalese midfielder.
Sarr entered the game with the score level and was pivotal in Spurs’ turnaround, notching an assist as the Lilywhites roared into a 4-1 lead against West Ham.
Sarr’s confidence will be high after his impact and he should maintain his spot in the side for this Europa League clash, especially as he has started and scored in both of Spurs’ games in the competition this season.
He netted the opener against Ferencvaros and, given he is averaging a shot on target every 75 minutes this term, it could pay to back him to repeat that feat on Thursday at a huge price.
