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 leg ended with a 1-0 victory for AZ Alkmaar. Tottenham vs. AZ Alkmaar: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Tottenham
The London side lost the first match 0-1. This was their second defeat in this European campaign (having previously lost to Galatasaray in Turkey). To advance to the next round, the English team 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 secured only two victories (2 draws and 2 losses).
- No more than three goals have been scored in regular time in 8 of Tottenham's last 11 games in the Europa League.
- 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 Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin, as well as forwards Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison, are injured.
AZ Alkmaar
The Dutch side won the first match thanks to an own goal by the opponent. This marked their third consecutive home victory in this European competition. Now, to advance further in the tournament, Alkmaar only needs to avoid defeat in the return leg. If the club wins over two legs, it will be their third appearance in the Europa League quarter-finals 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 did not score in the first half 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, Kristijan Belic, Sven Mijnans – Troy Parrott, Mychel Lahdo, Ernest Poku.
Forwards Ruben van Bommel, Mexx Meerdink, and Jayden Addai, along with midfielder Sven Mijnans, are sidelined 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
In addition to the first leg in the Round of 16, the teams also played a group stage match in England. In both cases, the home team won 1-0. I predict that the hosts will prevail again this time. Tottenham has impressive results at home in this tournament, winning nine and drawing one of their last 10 matches. Furthermore, 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 advanced 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, Alkmaar suffered six defeats and drew twice. Moreover, AZ Alkmaar has conceded at least two goals in 6 of their last 7 away games in this European competition. Therefore, my prediction is a Tottenham Win.
