The return 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 Londoners lost the first meeting 0-1. This was the second defeat for the team in this European season (previously losing in Turkey to Galatasaray). To advance to the next round, the English side needs to beat 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 only won twice (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 of 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 Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin, as well as 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, AZ Alkmaar only needs to avoid defeat in the return match. If the club wins over the two legs, it will be their third time reaching the Europa League quarter-finals in the last 13 years. However, AZ Alkmaar has never advanced 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 have scored in 6 of AZ Alkmaar's last 8 Europa League games.
- The Dutch side has not scored in the first half of 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, Mayckel Lahdo, Ernest Poku.
Forwards Mayckel Lahdo, Ruben van Bommel, Mexx Meerdink, and Jayden Addai, midfielder Sven Mijnans, and defender Denso Kasius 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
Aside from the first leg in the Round of 16, the teams also played a group stage match in England. In both instances, the home team won 1-0. I predict that the hosts will prevail again this time. Tottenham has an impressive home record in this tournament, with nine wins and one draw in their last 10 matches. Additionally, in 21 previous 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 weak. In their last eight away Europa League matches, AZ Alkmaar has suffered six defeats and two draws. Moreover, they have conceded at least two goals in 6 of their last 7 away matches in this European competition. Therefore, my prediction is a Tottenham victory.
