Prediction: Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar

Verdict: Tottenham win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to extend on their 100% Europa League record on Thursday night, Tottenham will welcome AZ Alkmaar to north London.

Tottenham

Starting with the hosts, while Tottenham might have suffered an infamous collapse away at Brighton prior to October’s international break, Spurs claimed an immediate response last weekend. Mounting a sensational comeback against local rivals West Ham as they stormed their way to a 4-1 romp, Ange Postecoglou’s men have their sights firmly set on booking a Champions League ticket this season. Getting their Europa League adventure underway on September 26th with a routine 3-0 romp against Qarabag, the former Celtic boss has seen his squad win six of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Signing off September with a major statement of intent as they secured a thrilling 3-0 victory away at Manchester United, Tottenham have also impressed with their performances on home soil. In fact, Spurs have registered 12 points from their first five showdowns in north London across all competitions.

Team News

Still dealing with a thigh injury and not featuring over the past month, Tottenham will be unable to call upon summer recruit Wilson Odobert here. However, making a cameo appearance off the bench against West Ham last weekend and making a first appearance since the end of August, Brazil international Richarlison should get some more minutes under his belt.

Finding the net against West Ham on Saturday lunchtime and recording a third Premier League strike of the season, Heung-Min Son will once again feature in north London. Opening his Europa League account against Qarabag last month, England international Dominic Solanke will lead the line on Thursday night.

AZ Alkmaar

As for the visitors, while AZ Alkmaar might have come flying out of the traps when opening up the new campaign, Maarten Martens’ side have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Marking their return from October’s international break with a 2-1 loss at home against PSV, the Cheese Farmers find themselves at the heart of a real struggle. Last seen in Europa League action slumping to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Athletic Bilbao, Thursday’s guests have now lost each of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Signing off September with a shock 2-1 defeat against Utrecht, Alkmaar have also shown a string of glaring issues at the back. In fact, the former Club Brugge boss has not seen his downbeat squad register a single clean sheet from any of their last seven matchups across all competitions.

Team News

While Norwegian defender David Moller Wolfe might have been shown a first-half red card against PSV last weekend, the 22-year-old is free to feature on Thursday night. However, all still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, the trio of Sem Westerveld, Wouter Goes and Lewis Schouten will miss out here.

Already notching six goals across all competitions since completing a permanent move from Tottenham over the summer, Ireland international Troy Parrott will return to north London and lead Alkmaar’s attack. One-time Stoke defender Bruno Martins Indi could be handed a full return at the heart of Martens’ defence.

Key Factors to Consider

• Tottenham have won each of their opening two Europa League appearances by an aggregate score of 5-1.
• Spurs have won six of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, Tottenham have collected 12 points from their first five home fixtures across all formats.
• AZ Alkmaar have lost each of their previous four appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 7-2.
• Thursday’s guests have failed to record a single clean sheet from any of their last seven consecutive appearances.

Conclusion

Mounting a sensational comeback against local rivals West Ham last weekend as they stormed their way to a 4-1 romp, Tottenham will be confident of laying down another marker in north London. Now winning six of their previous seven appearances across all competitions on either side of October’s international break, Spurs will be looking to cash in on an AZ Alkmaar squad that find themselves at the heart of a public crisis.

Verdict: Tottenham win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Luckster