Tottenham host Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa League
Tottenham Hotspur returned to winning ways in the Premier League at the weekend, thanks to a 4-1 thumping of West Ham at home. An emphatic win for the Lilywhites keeps them in the hunt for a top four berth, whereas the possibility of playing in the Champions League is also achievable by winning the UEFA Europa League – the team’s next challenge.
Ange Postecoglou’s side hosts Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar with the motive of maintaining a 100% start to the continental competition, in which Qarabag and Ferencvaros have already been dispatched aside to pick up six points in two games. Alkmaar, meanwhile, are fifth in the Dutch Eredivisie and will not be an easy opponent for Tottenham by any means.
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur’s injury problems are gradually becoming a thing of the past. Heung-min Son and Richarlison featured against West Ham at the weekend, leaving Wilson Odobert as the team’s only player on the treatment table.
At the back, Postecoglou could make a number of changes with Radu Dragusin’s inclusion imminent amongst that of others. A number of players might also be changed in midfield with the Spurs boss utilising his full set of players in the engine room.
A start could be on its way for Richarlison with Tottenham likely to tend to Son’s fitness with utmost care while Timo Werner has failed to perform on the left wing. Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke did not score at the weekend but are likely to start too.
PREDICTED TOTTENHAM XI (4-3-3): Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Davies; Sarr, Bentancur, Bergvall; Richarlison, Solanke, Johnson
AZ Alkmaar
Alkmaar have won once and lost once, so they need to pick up something on their trip to north London to ensure they are not pulled into an elimination scrap just three matches into the Europa League. However, they have a number of injury concerns to deal with.
Bruno Martins Indi, Lequincio Zeefuik, Lewis Schouten, Mexx Meerdink, Sem Westerveld and Wouter Goes are among those expected to miss the match. 20-year-old winger Ruben van Bommel, who has struck twice in the competition, is expected to be fit, however.
PREDICTED ALKMAAR XI (4-2-3-1): Owusu-Oduro; Wolfe, Dekker, Penetra, Maikuma; Belic, Clasie; van Bommel, Mijnans, Poku; Parrott
Match-deciding duel
Archie Gray vs Ruben van Bommel
Tottenham will have to be on their feet defensively and in saying that, they will need to thwart AZ Alkmaar’s young winger, Ruben van Bommel, who will be up against Archie Gray. How the teenager defends against the 20-year-old will be an interesting watch and could be decisive in the grand scheme of things.
Gray will also be given the license to venture forward and if he can have an impact in the final third, where Spurs will be hopeful of making as big a mark as they made against West Ham, the result could go their way.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Alkmaar
Alkmaar, in spite of possessing a good offensive name and a relatively balanced side, should be a comfortable match for Tottenham. The Lilywhites are likely to be dominant from start to finish, and with that in mind, they should easily outclass their opposition.
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Richarlison will hope to get amongst the goals for the very first time this season, whereas the likes of Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke will be potent forces up front too.
