The first leg of the 2024/25 Europa League Round of 16 between AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) and Tottenham (England) will take place on March 6 at the AFAS Stadium. AZ Alkmaar vs. Tottenham: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
AZ Alkmaar
The Dutch team finished the group stage in 19th place, allowing them to advance to the Europa League playoffs. In the first knockout round, they faced Galatasaray, defeating them 4-1 at home and drawing 2-2 in Istanbul. Notably, in the previous three seasons, the team participated in the Conference League, and the last time they reached the Europa League Round of 16 was in the 2013/14 season.
- In their last seven matches in this tournament, AZ Alkmaar has lost only once (3 wins and 3 draws).
- Both teams scored in 6 of AZ Alkmaar's last 7 Europa League games.
- The club opened the scoring in 6 of their last 7 matches in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for AZ Alkmaar (4-3-3)
Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro – Seiya Maikuma, Wouter Goes, Alexandre Correia, David Möller Wolfe – Peer Koopmeiners, Kristian Belic, Sven Mijnans – Troy Parrott, Mykola Lahdo, Ernest Poku.
Forwards Jayden Addai and Ruben van Bommel are sidelined due to injuries.
Tottenham
The English team finished the group stage in 4th place, with 5 wins, 2 draws, and only one loss. By finishing in the top eight, the Londoners avoided participation in the Europa League playoffs. Currently, the club is on a four-match unbeaten run in this tournament (2 wins and 2 draws). The last time Tottenham reached the Round of 16 in this European competition was in the 2020/21 season, but they were stopped by Dinamo Zagreb.
- At least three goals have been scored in 6 of Tottenham's last 8 Europa League matches.
- Tottenham has suffered only two defeats in 90 minutes in 14 of their last 16 matches in this tournament (11 wins and 3 draws).
- The team has scored at least two goals in 13 of their last 16 matches in this European competition.
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.
Defenders Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, Cristian Romero, and Ben Davies, as well as forwards Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, are in the team's medical room.
Referee
Rade Obrenovic (Slovenia)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 39;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.9;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 25%.
Match Prediction: AZ Alkmaar vs. Tottenham
Both opponents deserve to advance to the next stage of the European competition. The Dutch team will attempt to gain any advantage before traveling to England, where it will be extremely challenging to avoid defeat. The hosts will strive to win, and they can only achieve this by scoring as many goals as possible. AZ Alkmaar is very strong at home in the Europa League, with an 18-match unbeaten run. The club has scored in all of its last seven home games in this tournament, with both teams finding the net in 6 of the last 7 home matches.
Tottenham's away performances in the Europa League are inconsistent, often playing with a second-string lineup, which is typical for English teams in the Europa League or Conference League. However, the Londoners have scored in regulation time in 7 of their last 8 away games in this tournament. Additionally, both teams have scored in 7 of Tottenham's last 8 away matches in this European competition.
My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
