Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Europa League match.
AZ Alkmaar received a scheduling boost ahead of their crucial second-leg clash, with the Dutch FA postponing their Eredivisie fixture against RKC Waalwijk to 1 April.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham, meanwhile, are playing at their limit. After visiting Alkmaar on March 6th, they had to face Premier League surprise package Bournemouth on the weekend. They were not in the best spirits for the London match – they had lost in the Netherlands due to an unfortunate own goal by Lucas Bergvall in the 18th minute. Despite pushing forward, Tottenham Hotspur managed just seven shots, with only one on target. Against Bournemouth, their sluggish start saw them go 0:2 down before a stunning strike from Pape Matar Sarr and a penalty converted by Heung-min Son salvaged a 2:2 draw.
AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar haven't played since 6 March, and their last Eredivisie game on 2 March ended in a 1:3 defeat to Heerenveen. While this break offers rest, they face a packed schedule, including a league trip to Ajax just two days after their visit to London. Their third-top scorer Mexx Meerdink (7 goals) is out injured, but Troy Parrott (17 goals in all competitions) remains a major threat.
Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction
Tottenham tend to wake up after conceding, and with the second-best attack in the Premier League (55 goals in 28 matches), they should find the net. AZ Alkmaar have shown they can exploit defensive lapses, and with Troy Parrott leading their frontline, they have a real chance of scoring. Both teams should be on the scoresheet in an open contest.
