Tottenham won the only previous meeting between these two clubs in October; Richarlison's second half penalty the only goal of the night.
Spurs have won six of their previous 11 visits to the Netherlands, most-famously beating Ajax 3-2 in 2019; AZ have won only one of their last eight home matches against English opposition, losing the last two against Aston Villa and West Ham.
AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview
These two clubs met for the very first time during the league phase, but now they'll go head-to-head again, only this time with a place in the quarter-finals on the line. Back in October, Richarlison's spot-kick was the only goal of the night in North London, so will this rematch go the same way?
Infamously, Ange Postecoglou declared that he always wins a trophy in his second season before this campaign began, with this his final chance to deliver on that manifesto. Tottenham enjoyed a pretty impressive league phase campaign, losing only once, securing fourth place thanks to wins over Hoffenheim and Elfsborg in January.
More-recently, last time out on Wednesday, Tottenham's three-match winning streak in the Premier League came to an end, beaten 1-0 by Manchester City at home. This leaves Spurs languishing in 13th, ten points adrift the final potential European spot, thereby looking to the Europa League to salvage their season. The winners of this tie will take on Ajax or Eintracht Frankfurt in the last eight, so will Spurs leave the Netherlands in pole position?
AZ Alkmaar are aiming to reach the quarter-finals of this competition for the first time in 11 years and, considering they've lost only three of their last 35 European home games, will certainly believe they have a fighting chance. The Cheese Farmers finished 18th in the league phase, accumulating ten points at home, but collecting just one on the road, beaten in Bilbao, North London and Budapest by Ferencváros.
Nevertheless, in the first knockout round, Maarten Martens' team swatted aside Galatasaray, hammering the Turkish giants 4-1 in Alkmaar, before Seiya Maikuma and Denso Kasius were on target during a 2-2 draw in İstanbul, quelling any hope of a comeback.
Meantime, in the Eredivisie, AZ have twice been Dutch champions, doing so in 1981 and 2009, but have only finished third or higher on four occasions since the latter, struggling to consistently break up the Netherlands' triopoly. Right now, following Sunday's 3-1 defeat Heerenveen, the Cheese Farmers are down in sixth, albeit a mere three points adrift Utrecht in third. Now, can AZ establish a first leg lead at AFAS Stadion, with a trip to North London to come next Thursday?
AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 1.
- AZ Alkmaar Wins: 0. Draws: 0. Tottenham Hotspur Wins: 1.
AZ Alkmaar Team News
Ruben van Bommel, Jayden Addai and Mexx Meerdink are all sidelined while, despite defeat at the weekend, Maarten Martens named a strong side, so isn't expected to make too many changes. Two former Premier League players Bruno Martins Indi and Jordy Clasie could return, adding some extra expirence. David Møller Wolfe, Clasie, Wouter Goes and Kees Smit would all sit out the return leg in North London if suspended.
AZ Alkmaar predicted lineup vs Tottenham Hotspur: (4-2-3-1): Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Penetra, Goes, Møller Wolfe; Clasie, Koopmeiners, Poku, Mijnans, Lahdo; Parott.
AZ Alkmaar Player to Watch vs Tottenham Hotspur
Troy Parrott joined Spurs at the age of 15 before leaving for AZ last summer. The Republic of Ireland international has 17 goals to his name this season, four of which have come in the Europa League, so will he come back to haunt his former club?
Tottenham Hotspur Team News
Ange Postecoglou's side have had eight days to prepare for this one, although he is still without Radu Drăgușin, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke due to injury. In better news, Wilson Odobert started against Man City, doing so for the first time since September, but captain Son Heung-min is expected to return to the lineup here.
Elsewhere, four different goalkeepers have featured for Spurs this season, but Guglielmo Vicario's return following a broken ankle has been most welcome. At right-back, Djed Spence was not in Tottenham's UEFA squad for the league phase, but has now been added, so will he get the nod over Pedro Porro? Lastly, Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kuluševski would all miss the second leg if cautioned.
Tottenham Hotspur predicted lineup vs AZ Alkmaar: (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Spence, Gray, Danso, Udogie; Bentancur, Bergvall, Johnson, Kuluševski, Son Heung-min, Tel.
Tottenham Hotspur Player to Watch vs AZ Alkmaar
Dejan Kuluševski has ten goals to his name this season, on target at Rangers during the league phase, so will he add to his tally?
AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur Prediction
This clash is tough to call, but we are backing in-form Tottenham to depart Alkmaar with a draw, leaving them nicely placed ahead of the return leg: AZ Alkmaar 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur.
AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur FAQs - Europa League
How to watch AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur Europa League game on TV channel?
AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur Europa League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 3
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur Europa League game on live streaming?
AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur Europa League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League?
AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur takes place on Thursday 6 March 2025, with kick off at 17:45 (GMT), 12:45 (EDT) & 9:45 (PST).