Spurs look to bounce back from a narrow defeat to Manchester City when they travel to The Netherlands to face AZ Alkmaar at 5:45 pm on March 6. Ange Postecoglou’s side put up a good fight against the Premier League Champions but a youthful attack couldn’t find a response to Erling Haaland’s 12th-minute strike. Here is our Tottenham Hotspur predicted lineup for the Europa League Round-of-16 tie.
Tottenham Hotspur Predicted Lineup Vs AZ Alkmaar for March 6
How Tottenham Hotspur Have Lined Up Recently
Guglielmo Vicario continued his great form since returning from injury, with four saves against Manchester City. Another way the Italian has positively impacted The Lilywhites since his return has been with his distribution. The 28-year-old completed 27 of his 29 passes against the Citizens. This ability means his defenders can trust him with ball as they know he will put it in a good area for Spurs to start an attack.
In defence, Archie Gray continued to fill in alongside Kevin Danso. Overall, the backline, including Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie, limited City to few clear-cut chances. Spurs’ full-backs will have to continue to impress over the next few weeks as the emerging Djed Spence looks to establish himself as a starter when everyone is fit.
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Tottenham Hotspur struggled to win the midfield battle. An engine room of James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Lucas Bervall lost a combined 11 duels. This may allow the more defensive-minded Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr to break into the lineup.
Spurs went young in attack for the visit of Manchester City. 20-year-old Wilson Oderbert was given his third Premier League start of the season on the left wing. Mathys Tel started upfront but again struggled to get involved, touching the ball only 13 times. Brennan Johnson lasted the full game but only touched the ball 32 times.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Recent Form and Tactics
February was a month when Tottenham Hotspur learned how to win again. However, Postecoglou’s side was still on thereceiving end of some damaging losses. They exited both domestic cup competitions with disappointing losses to Aston Villa and Liverpool and Manchester City ended their hopes of ending the month unbeaten in the Premier League.
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Tottenham Hotspur do have some tactical issues to address now players have returned from injury. Against Manchester City, average position graphs show Spurs’s right side of the pitch, Porro and Johnson, were playing far too close to each other. This was because the full-back was playing very advanced and the former Nottingham Forest winger was dropping back to receive the ball. This is something Postecoglou needs to address ahead of the trip to The Netherlands.
Injuries and Suspensions To Consider
Tottenham are set to welcome Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Dominic Solanke back into the side against AZ. Their first-choice centre-back pairing hasn’t started together since a 4-3 loss to Chelsea in December. The former Bournemouth striker has been out since scoring an own goal in a North London Derby loss to Arsenal in January. The trio are likely to be eased back into action but could still start against AZ.
Spurs’ fitness crisis is finally over and they have just three names on their injury list. Dejan Kulusevski has not travelled after suffering a foot injury that will keep him out until at least the international break. Ben Davies is close to a return but is still doing individual work after suffering a knock in The Lilywhites’ win over Manchester United. Richarlison is also nearing a return from a calf injury picked up against Liverpool.
Tottenham Hotspur Predicted Lineup Vs AZ Alkmaar
GK: Guglielmo Vicario
LB: Destiny Udogie
CB: Micky van de Ven
CB: Kevin Danso
RB: Djed Spence
DM: Rodrigo Bentancur
CM: Pape Matar Sarr
CM: James Maddison
LW: Heung-min Son
RW: Brennan Johnson
ST: Mathys Tel