Tottenham Hotspur resume their Europa League campaign with a home game against AZ on Thursday.
Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar best bets
Draw/Atletico Madrid half-time/full-time – 16/5 with Betano
Both teams to score – 42/41 with Betano
Jonathan David to score any time – 3/1 with Betano
Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar odds
Find the latest match odds for Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar predictions
We are still in the infancy of the 2024/25 season but Tottenham Hotspur have already experienced more than their fair share of ups and downs.
You never know what you are going to get with this Spurs side. There were recriminations after 1-0 and 3-2 defeats by Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively, and jubilation following the 3-0 victory over Manchester United and Saturday’s 4-1 win against West Ham United.
Tottenham did not have everything their own way last time out. They conceded the first goal and looked vulnerable when West Ham broke down the centre of the pitch.
In the end, though, Ange Postecoglou’s team had too much for the Hammers. They ran riot in the second half in particular, overwhelming their opponents in the final third.
The underlying statistics suggest Spurs do not have much to worry about. Only Liverpool rank higher on expected goals difference, a measure of the quality of chances a team creates and concedes.
Spurs are desperate to finish in the top four and secure a return to the Champions League, but the club’s supporters do not want Postecoglou to neglect other competitions.
The north Londoners have not won a trophy since 2008, so many fans would prioritise a piece of silverware over a top-four finish.
As things stand, Spurs are the favourites to win the Europa League. The likes of Manchester United, Athletic Bilbao, Roma, Real Sociedad and Lazio are also expected to challenge, but the bookies see Tottenham as the strongest force right now.
They have certainly made a solid start to the new-look league phase, beating Qarabag 3-0 on matchday one and Ferencvaros 2-1 in their second outing earlier this month.
A top-eight finish is the primary objective for Tottenham since that would allow them to skip the knockout phase play-offs and go straight through to the round of 16.
Another win here would put them in a strong position as the midway point of the league phase approaches.
Spurs have some trickier games on the horizon – trips to Galatasaray and Rangers, plus a home game against Roma – so moving onto nine points on Thursday would give them some margin for error going forward.
Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar betting tips. 18+ GambleAware.org – Please play responsibly.
Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar betting tips
AZ are the visitors to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on matchday three of the Europa League.
Tottenham/Tottenham half-time/full-time
AZ head to north London in dismal form.
The Dutch outfit have lost each of their last four games in all competitions, going down to Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League and suffering defeat by Utrecht, Fortuna Sittard and PSV in the Eredivisie.
Needless to say, that is not ideal preparation for an away game against the tournament favourites who made light work of West Ham United in their last outing.
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Even if Postecoglou makes a few changes to his starting XI here, it is hard to see this being anything other than a comfortable win for Tottenham.
Spurs can take the lead in the first half and hold onto it until the end of the game.
Back Tottenham/Tottenham in the half-time/full-time market at 20/21 with Betano
Both teams to score
Only Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United and Arsenal have conceded fewer goals in the Premier League than Tottenham this term.
Meanwhile, Spurs rank fifth for expected goals against. That illustrates that they are not giving up a huge amount of chances.
Still, opponents always feel like they have a chance against Tottenham. For better or worse, Postecoglou is wary of ever diluting his attacking approach, never mind changing it.
The likelihood is that Spurs will overwhelm AZ on Thursday given their superior quality in the final third. But that is not to say the Dutch team will not be able to create a few opportunities of their own.
There is also a possibility that Tottenham take their eye off the ball if they are comfortably ahead. Whichever way it plays out, goals at both ends looks like a sensible selection.
Go for both teams to score at 3/5 with Betano
Richarlison to score any time
Postecoglou has been using the Europa League to give game time to fringe members of his squad, and that policy will continue when AZ come to town.
Richarlison is doubtless hoping to become a fixture in the first team again, but right now he is working his way back to full fitness after an injury-disrupted start to the campaign.
The indication is that the Brazilian will be involved from the first whistle against AZ, with Dominic Solanke likely to be rested.
Richarlison enjoyed a purple patch in front of goal at one point last season, but his time at Spurs overall has been mixed.
Matches like this one provide the former Everton man with an opportunity to rebuild both his fitness and his confidence.
Tip Richarlison to score any time at 5/6 with Betano
How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar
Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England.
Date and time: Thursday 22nd October, 8pm.
How to watch: TNT Sports 1.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
Premier League winner predictions
Premier League relegation odds
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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