AZ Vs Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur enter this season’s Europa League knockout stages as the bookmakers’ top contenders for the title, preparing to face AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the AFAS Stadion on Thursday evening. While Spurs comfortably secured fourth place in the 36-team League Phase standings, their Dutch opponents finished in 19th place and needed a 6-3 aggregate triumph over Galatasaray in the playoff round to book their spot in the knockouts.

Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham side has endured an erratic spell of form since December, participating in 23 matches across all competitions but succumbing to defeat in 11 of those encounters. Their most recent setback came against Manchester City, a slender 1-0 home loss in the Premier League, further exacerbating their turbulent domestic campaign. Spurs now find themselves in an unfamiliar position, languishing in 13th place in the Premier League standings and facing the real prospect of missing out on European football next season. With a nine-point gap separating them from 10th-placed Aston Villa, a further 10-point deficit from the top seven, and 14 points adrift of the coveted top-four positions, Tottenham’s route to European qualification through the league appears increasingly arduous with just 11 games remaining.

Their early exits from both domestic cup competitions have only intensified the scrutiny on Postecoglou, who is under pressure to deliver Europa League success to a frustrated fanbase. The Australian coach, known for his attacking philosophy, had previously asserted at the start of the season that he “always wins things in my second year.” With Premier League struggles mounting, his ability to back up those words in Europe is now under the microscope.

Despite their recent inconsistencies, Spurs have demonstrated resilience in the Europa League. They concluded the League Phase with consecutive victories over Hoffenheim (3-2) and Elfsborg (3-0), a much-needed boost ahead of the knockout rounds. Significantly, they have already faced AZ Alkmaar this season, securing a narrow 1-0 victory at home on matchday three, which may provide psychological confidence ahead of their upcoming clash.

Tottenham’s historical encounters with Dutch opposition in European competitions have largely been favorable. They have emerged victorious in seven of their last 11 matches against teams from the Netherlands, with two draws and only two defeats. Their most memorable triumph came in May 2019 when they orchestrated a stunning 3-2 away victory over Ajax, propelling them to the Champions League final. However, their record in European knockout away ties paints a less promising picture, as they have won just three of their last 18 such fixtures, suffering 10 defeats and drawing five times.

Meanwhile, AZ Alkmaar arrive at this crucial fixture with a mixed run of form in recent weeks. Their passage to the knockout rounds was secured with a compelling 4-1 home victory over Galatasaray in the first leg of their playoff encounter, followed by a 2-2 draw in the return fixture. Since then, their domestic performances have been inconsistent. They edged past Fortuna Sittard with a narrow 1-0 Eredivisie victory but endured disappointment in their most recent league outing, falling to a 3-1 defeat against Heerenveen.

On a more positive note, AZ have successfully progressed to the KNVB Beker final, overcoming Hercules in a dramatic penalty shootout after a gripping 2-2 draw that extended to extra time. However, their ambitions of securing an automatic Europa League qualification spot through the Eredivisie have taken a hit. Marten Martens’s side missed an opportunity to reclaim third place in the standings, which is currently occupied by another club vying for European football. With 10 games remaining, they now find themselves in sixth place, trailing the top three by three points, necessitating a strong finish to the season.

While their upcoming Eredivisie fixture pits them against title contenders Ajax, AZ’s immediate focus will be on their two-legged Europa League showdown with Spurs. With no domestic match scheduled over the weekend, they have the advantage of a full preparation period, allowing them to concentrate entirely on their European ambitions. Should they manage to upset Tottenham, they will reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the first time since the 2013-14 season, a feat that would mark a significant milestone for the club.

Despite their aspirations, AZ’s record against English clubs remains concerning. They have claimed victory in just two of their previous 19 encounters against teams from England, a statistic that underscores the challenge they face against Spurs. However, they can take confidence from their attacking output in this season’s Europa League campaign. Having netted 19 goals in the competition so far, they rank among the highest-scoring teams, with only three clubs registering more goals than them. Notably, they have not surpassed 20 goals in a single major European campaign since 2006-07, when they tallied 26.

As the two sides prepare to lock horns, Tottenham’s European pedigree, individual quality, and prior experience against Dutch opposition provide them with a slight edge. However, their shaky domestic form and inconsistent away record in knockout fixtures mean AZ Alkmaar will see this tie as a genuine opportunity to pull off an upset. With both teams vying for a place in the last eight, the first-leg encounter at the AFAS Stadion promises to be a tightly contested battle, setting the stage for an intriguing conclusion in the return fixture at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.