Tottenham Hotspur v AZ Alkmaar: Free Tips, Prediction and Odds

Tottenham Hotspur are going to have to do it the hard way to reach the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals with a 1-0 first-leg deficit to overturn against AZ Alkmaar in London.

A Lucas Bergvall own goal separates the sides at the halfway point of their last-16 tie, but at least Spurs know they have the measure of the Dutchmen having already beaten them once this season.

Tottenham Hotspur v AZ Alkmaar free betting tips and predictions

AZ Alkmaar to qualify - 11/10

Tottenham's hopes of redeeming a miserable season will be decided over 90 minutes - possibly more - in North London on Thursday night.

Ange Postecoglou's side will step out at a packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium facing the challenge of overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit to see off AZ Alkmaar and move into the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.

At odds of 9/20 over 90 minutes and 4/6 to qualify there is an assumption that it should be a formality.

But seasoned Spurs' fans, supporters who have seen their team put them through the mill on a weekly basis, will believe this is a long way from done.

And if they don't make it then they only have themselves to blame after delivering a dismal performance in Alkmaar last week where only shambolic finishing prevented AZ from adding to the own goal scored by Lucas Bergvall.

There are possibly grounds for optimism, none more than the fact that because this is Postecoglou's chance to save his and his club's season he must send out his strongest available side.

That should, in theory, mean Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero reunited in central defence for the first time in three months and Dominic Solanke spearheading a new-look frontline alongside Son Heung-min and Mathys Tel.

Spirits also ought to be up in the Tottenham camp anyway after the way they fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth on Sunday, even if the performance overall wasn't great.

And then there's the knowledge that they can beat AZ having done so in October in the group stage, a 1-0 win secured courtesy of a Richarlison penalty.

However, you cannot overlook the fact that Spurs were horribly second best in the Netherlands last Thursday and while they were toiling and tiring against Bournemouth, AZ were having a weekend off.

Not only will they be fresh but they are also in fine form having lost just three of their last 23 matches.

Spearheaded by the division's second top scorer, Spurs discard Troy Parrott, they have beaten the likes of Ajax and Roma this season and saw off Galatasaray in the Play-off Round with a 6-3 aggregate success.

Away from home in the league they concede the second fewest shots behind PSV so will not be an easy nut to crack. But Spurs know that anyway.

Lucas Bergvall Over 0.5 Shots on Target - 11/10

It's Lucas Bergvall's goal at the wrong end which has Spurs on the back foot this week, but his freak effort certainly won't define his season.

The Swedish teenager has been one of Tottenham's better performers during their troubled campaign, never dipping below 100 percent in terms of effort.

He has chipped in with one big goal in the League Cup against Liverpool and last week fired off one of Spurs' seven shots in Alkmaar.

At home the onus is on Tottenham to be positive and they rarely need a second invite for that mindset.

Bergvall is about putting tackles in, work-rate and picking passes but he will arrive as a threat around the edge of the box as well and looks a fair price at 11/10 to have at least one shot on target.

Over 3.5 AZ Corners - 6/5

AZ chalked up seven corners last Thursday night and have to be confident they can clock up at least four at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Domestically, they average 5.9 corners per away game - more than they win at home - and Spurs concede 5.7 per home match in the Premier League.

Maarten Martens' men won four corners in the 1-0 loss at Tottenham in the group stage and can match that haul at least given how open this game could become.

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Tottenham Hotspur v AZ Alkmaar odds

Tottenham Hotspur - 9/20
Draw - 15/4
AZ Alkmaar - 21/4

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.