The second leg of the 2024/25 Europa League Round of 16 between Tottenham (England) and AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) will take place on March 13 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The first match ended 1-0 in favor of AZ Alkmaar. Tottenham vs. AZ Alkmaar: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Tottenham
The London side lost the first encounter 0-1. This was the second defeat for the team in this European season (previously losing in Turkey to Galatasaray). To progress to the next round, the English team needs to defeat their opponent at home by at least two goals. If the match ends with a one-goal victory for the hosts, extra time will be played. Notably, the club last reached the Europa League quarter-finals in the 2012/13 season.
- In their last six matches in this tournament, Tottenham has secured only two wins (2 draws and 2 losses).
- No more than three goals have been scored in regular time in 8 of Tottenham's last 11 Europa League games.
- The English side has not lost in the first half in their last 11 home matches in this European competition (7 wins and 4 draws).
Predicted lineup for Tottenham (4-3-3)
Brandon Austin – Archie Gray, Ben Davies, Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven – Lucas Bergvall, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Sarr – Son Heung-min, Mikey Moore, Richarlison.
Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended. Defenders Radu Dragusin and forwards Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison are sidelined due to injuries.
AZ Alkmaar
The Dutch side won the first leg thanks to an own goal by the opponent. This marked their third consecutive home victory in this European competition. To progress further in the tournament, Alkmaar only needs to avoid defeat in the return match. If the club wins over the two legs, they will reach the Europa League quarter-finals for the third time in the last 13 years. However, AZ Alkmaar has never progressed beyond this stage in the tournament.
- The club has not lost in 7 of their last 8 matches in this European competition (4 wins and 3 draws).
- Both teams scored in 6 of AZ Alkmaar's last 8 Europa League games.
- The Dutch side has not scored in the first 45 minutes in 9 of their last 11 away matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for AZ Alkmaar (4-3-3)
Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro – Seiya Maikuma, Wouter Goes, Alexandre Correia, David Moller Wolfe – Peer Koopmeiners, Kristian Belic, Sven Mijnans – Troy Parrott, Mykell Lahdo, Ernest Poku.
Forwards Ruben van Bommel, Mexx Meerdink, and Jayden Addai, and midfielder Sven Mijnans are out due to injuries.
Referee
João Pinheiro (Portugal)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 32;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 33%.
Match Prediction: Tottenham vs. AZ Alkmaar
Besides the first leg in the Round of 16, the teams also played a match in the group stage, this time in England. In both cases, the home team won 1-0. I predict that the hosts will prevail again. Tottenham has impressive results at home in this tournament – winning nine of their last 10 matches with one draw. Additionally, in their last 21 home Europa League games, the club has only lost to Borussia Dortmund (16 wins and 4 draws).
The Dutch side has progressed this far in the tournament largely due to their strong home performances. However, their away record is poor. In their last eight away matches in the Europa League, Alkmaar has suffered six defeats, with two draws. Moreover, AZ Alkmaar has conceded at least two goals in 6 of their last 7 away matches in this European competition. Therefore, my prediction is a Tottenham victory.
