Tottenham v AZ

Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar Preview

Tottenham clawed back a 2-0 deficit at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League on the weekend to earn a point with a 2-2 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to avoid a third defeat on the trot in all competitions, but the north London club have work to do here in this 2nd leg against Dutch Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar, after being beaten 1-0 away from home last week.

AZ Alkmaar were not in domestic action in the Dutch Eredivisie over the weekend which may have helped the visitors recover from injuries along with extra time on the training ground ahead of this return leg in England's capital where Maarten Martens' side will be looking to protect their slender 1-0 lead on Thursday night.

Tottenham's inconsistent streak has been there for all to see in their past few games in all competitions as Ange Postecoglou's side have managed to pick up just two wins from their last seven matches overall, which came in the form of welcome victories in the Premier League against Manchester United and Ipswich Town, the latter being a resounding 4-1 win at Portman Road.

However, four losses within these previous seven games underline the struggles that Tottenham continue to endure and these defeats include last week's 1-0 loss away from home against AZ at the AFAS Stadion in the 1st leg of this Europa League tie.

Goals look likely to feature here though at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as six out of Tottenham's last 10 matches overall have resulted in Over 2.5 goals being scored.

AZ will make their way to north London in high spirits as the Dutch visitors have suffered just one defeat in their last nine matches across all competitions, which came in the form of a 3-1 loss away from home at Heerenveen in the Dutch Eredivisie.

AZ have also collected no fewer than seven wins within this recent nine-game period though which will give Maarten Martens' side plenty of reasons to feel upbeat about their chances of producing a positive result in London on Thursday night, especially as the Dutch side are unbeaten in their last three Europa League ties.

Victories gained over Galatasaray 4-1 and Tottenham 1-0 along with a 2-2 draw with Galatasaray suggest AZ are no pushovers and could well frustrate Tottenham in this decisive leg on Thursday night.

In addition, six out of AZ's last 10 matches in all competitions have resulted in three goals or more being scored.

Tottenham v AZ Alkmaar Verdict

Tottenham are expected to fly out of the traps in this return leg on Thursday night as the north London side look to overhaul the 1-0 deficit, while AZ have already proved they can score against Premier League opposition.

Therefore, our main bet will be Over 2.5 goals @ 1.61

Other side bets worth considering:

Tottenham win & Over 2 goals @ 2.00

Correct Score: Tottenham 2-1 @ 7.50