GIVEMESPORT

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that forward Wilson Odobert has suffered a serious injury setback after struggling with fitness over the last few months.

The tricky attacker arrived at Hotspur Way during the summer transfer window, joining the club from Championship side Burnley. It's been a difficult start to life in north London due to injuries, and Postecoglou has now provided a worrying update.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday afternoon, Postecoglou has confirmed that Odobert has suffered an injury setback and it's looking like a serious one. The Australian manager has also added that Heung-min Son is set to miss the Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City, but they are aiming to have him back in time for the weekend...

"Son is almost fit but probably from our perspective we'll aim for the weekend. We're quite confident he'll be right for the weekend. The only other one missing out which is a bit of a disappointment is Wilson, who has had a setback during the week and it seems like it is a serious one so we're just waiting for more information. From the weekend everybody is ok and Djed is back training."

Although Spurs are desperate to achieve trophy success, Postecoglou understandably has one eye on the Premier League at the weekend. The north London outfit face Aston Villa on Sunday before a trip to Galatasaray in the Europa League next week. For Postecoglou, it's imperative that they can get Son back fit for the hectic schedule upcoming.

Odobert is yet to make a real impact at Tottenham, but it will be a major disappointment for Postecoglou and his team. The former Burnley man was brought in to be an additional option in attack, but he's barely been seen by Tottenham supporters.

Last time out with both Son and Odobert out injured, Tottenham started with a front three of Mikey Moore, Dominic Solanke, and Brennan Johnson. Richarlison has also recently returned from injury, while Timo Werner is another option for Postecoglou in the forward line.

Tottenham Hotspur star Timo Werner is on course to bring the curtain down on his Hotspur Way career at the end of the season as boss Ange Postecoglou has set his sights on signing a fresh attacking influence instead of keeping the RB Leipzig loanee on a permanent basis, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

The Germany international made a quickfire return to north London when Spurs negotiated a fresh temporary agreement with his parent club during the early stages of the summer transfer window, with the deal including an option to retain his services beyond the remainder of the campaign if they fork out £8.5million.

But Werner has been facing stiff competition as he bids to make himself one of the first names on the team sheet, with teenager Mikey Moore being handed the first Premier League start of his career in Tottenham's 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend, and it is increasingly likely that he does not have a long-term future in his current surroundings.

Werner Poised to Miss Out on Permanent Deal

North Londoners scouring market for alternative wide options

Werner is set to return to Bundesliga outfit Leipzig in the summer instead of becoming a permanent member of Tottenham's squad, according to GMS sources, as the capital club are actively scouting alternative options after Postecoglou has gone in search of adding further firepower from wide areas.

The 28-year-old Champions League winner has been guilty of missing a number of presentable opportunities for Spurs and, having failed to get his name on the scoresheet, has only registered one assist over the course of 11 appearances in all competitions since the campaign got underway.

GMS sources have been informed that Tottenham are seriously assessing the market and challenging members of the recruitment department to seek an attack-minded winger who is capable of being deployed on the left and right flank, resulting in Werner being on track to walk away at the end of the season.

The former Chelsea man is on an agreement which allows him to pocket £200,000-per-week when bonuses are triggered, but his lack of end product since technical director Johan Lange and chairman Daniel Levy oversaw fresh negotiations with Leipzig has resulted in Postecoglou aiming to head in an alternative direction in the coming months.

Although the Greek-Australian tactician is an admirer of Werner's all-round profile, which resulted in him being keen to extend his time at Tottenham after initially spending the second half of last term on loan in north London, GMS sources have learned that there is determination to land a wide-man who boasts more versatility.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Timo Werner only made nine passes when he played the final 28 minutes after coming on as a substitute during Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend

Spurs are Expected to Keep Werner in January

Loan will only be cut short if admirers make suitable proposal

GMS sources have been told that Tottenham will only have the opportunity to cut Werner's loan short if an interested party emerges during the January transfer window and puts forward a proposal which suits all parties, resulting in it being likely that he will stay on board for the remainder of the season instead of jumping ship.

Leipzig were prepared to sanction his departure during the summer due to not having a route back into the forefront of head coach Marco Rose's plans, despite getting his name on the scoresheet twice and registering a further three assists in 905 minutes of action for Spurs last term, but he has struggled to nail down a regular starting berth.

Tottenham have been making regular checks on Andreas Skov Olsen ahead of potentially offering a route into the Premier League for the first time in the Club Brugge talisman's career, GMS sources recently revealed, highlighting that Werner's days with the capital club are numbered.

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss away at Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, and Sky Sports pundit Jamie O'Hara has questioned manager Ange Postecoglou’s team selection for such a difficult game.

Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal of the game just after the half hour mark to clinch the host’s first Premier League win of the campaign. For Spurs, the result puts them eighth in the standings, and they remain above Brentford only on goal difference.

Postecoglou called upon 17-year-old Mikey Moore to start in the front three alongside Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson at Selhurst Park, but O’Hara believes the manager should have stuck with the more experienced Timo Werner, as he told Sky Sports:

“I think Ange [Postecoglou] got it wrong. I think he picked the wrong team. Starting a 17-year-old away from home against Crystal Palace is a big, big ask. He [Moore] did alright but it’s a big ask to come in for that game and make something happen.

“Use him for 20 or 25 minutes, but the damning indictment of that is that Timo Werner has been so poor he [Postecouglou] has had to start Mikey Moore. But, I would have stuck with Werner and given him another game, especially away from home as he’s experienced.”

Moore is a product of the Spurs academy and he made his senior debut at the end of last season in the defeat against Manchester City. He now has eight senior appearances to his name, seven of which have come this season.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Tottenham have won an average of 1.63 points per game in the Premier League this season

Werner, on the other hand, made his name in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig. He made the move to Chelsea in 2020, but returned to his former club in Germany two years later. The striker is now a little over halfway through a loan spell with Spurs.

The North London club return to action midweek with the visit of Manchester City in the round of 16 of the Carabao Cup. They will then host Aston Villa in the Premier League next weekend.

Tottenham and Newcastle are both said to have joined the race to land Serbian teenage sensation Andrija Maksimovic, according to a report from TBR Football.

Maksimovic, who is just 17-years-old, has been highly touted as one of the ‘top young prospects in world football’, having already broken into the first team with FK Crvena Zvezda – also referred to as Red Star Belgrade - which has put a plethora of European teams on notice, including that of Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus, among others.

Furthermore, TBR’s report has also suggested that ‘more than half’ of teams in the Premier League have ‘checked’ on him, including those of Liverpool and Chelsea.

Tottenham and Newcastle Have Joined the Race

Both Premier League clubs have good track records of signing, and developing, young talent

Maksimovic operates as an attacking midfielder for Crvena Zvezda, and has already made seven first team appearances – two of which have come in the UEFA Champions League - in which he has recorded two assists. This saw him handed his international debut earlier this month, with him having earned two caps, totaling 42 minutes played.

Spurs have developed quite the track record of identifying young talent and giving them opportunities, with Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Will Lankshear all seeing some minutes under Ange Postecoglou this season, while not forgetting to mention 17-year-old Mikey Moore, who was likened to Neymar Jr. by teammate James Maddison after his stellar display in the Europa League last week.

Similarly, Newcastle have a plethora of talent under the age of 21 that feature regularly for Eddie Howe, with Lewis Miley, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall having all come up the ranks over the last few seasons, while they added to their pool with the signing of William Osula from Sheffield United over the summer.

As such, both Premier League clubs could be seen as a good fit for Maksimovic, unlike that of some other interested parties like Chelsea, who have a big squad already, and thus, would likely struggle to carve out some minutes for him.

Regardless of the abundance of interest in the teenager, should Maksimovic strike a deal with a new club, he is not able to leave Serbia until next summer, after he turns 18.

Crystal Palace will look to pick up vital points in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon when they host London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The Eagles fell to another defeat on Monday in their last fixture as they took on Nottingham Forest to make it three consecutive losses, while Tottenham bounced back from a disappointing loss against Brighton before the international break by defeat West Ham and AZ Alkmaar in comfortable fashion this week.

Both sides will see three points as vital going forward so decisions must be made, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expects both teams to line up.

Crystal Palace Team News

Doucoure still out injured

In a blow to Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace won't be able to welcome any of their injured players back for this game. Cheick Doucoure has returned to training but only completed one session so won't be considered for selection, while Chadi Riad, Chris Richards, Rob Holding and Matheus Franca are still injured.

Back-up goalkeeper Matt Turner is available for selection again after being ineligible against his parent club last time out.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Glasner shared an update on his squad's availability for the game.

“The same squad is available as on Monday at Nottingham. There are no more injuries, but also nobody is coming back. Cheick Doucouré has had just one training session with us this week, but it will still take time, so it is the same squad.

“We are discussing [whether to send Wharton for surgery], and when we take the final decision we will inform you.

“At the moment he will be with us for at least the next week. We have three games: we play on Sunday against Tottenham, we play on Wednesday against Aston Villa and then the Wolves away game.

“He will be with us for the next three games and then we will see what happens."

Crystal Palace Predicted XI

Glasner to stick with back five

Crystal Palace Predicted XI: Henderson; Chalobah, Guehi, Lacroix; Munhoz, Lerma, Wharton, Mitchell; Eze, Mateta, Nketiah.

Crystal Palace Predicted Substitutes: Turner (GK), Clyne (DEF), Ward (DEF), Hughes (MID), Schlupp (MID), Kamada (MID), Kporha (MID), Sarr (FWD), Agbinone (FWD).

Despite coming under pressure for his job, Glasner is likely to stick with his preferred back-five system with minimal changes to be made. Adam Wharton could come back into midfield ahead of Will Hughes, while Jean-Philippe Mateta could return to the attack in place of the disappointing Daichi Kamada.

Tottenham Team News

Heung-Min Son ruled out

After claiming a big win over West Ham last weekend, Spurs followed up with a 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League and come into this game in good spirits. But Ange Postecoglou will be without his captain Heung-Min Son once again after he had a bad reaction in his return, while defender Djed Spence is also still unavailable.

Lucas Bergvall came off in the midweek win but the manager has dispelled concerns by revealing it was just cramp and he should be available for the game.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Posteocglou shared an injury update ahead of the game.

"Sonny is still not right or feeling 100 per cent. He won't train today and unlikely for the weekend. Djed's getting closer. Hopefully, next week, he’ll be joining up with [team] training.

Tottenham Predicted XI

Mikey Moore to start

Tottenham Predicted XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Maddison, Kulusevski; Johnson, Solanke, Moore.

Tottenham Predicted Substitutes: Forster (GK), Gray (DEF), Dragusin (DEF), Davies (DEF), Bissouma (MID), Sarr (MID), Bergvall (MID), Richarlison (FWD), Werner (FWD).

With Son out of contention, Postecoglou could hand a first Premier League start to teenage sensation Mikey Moore after his excellent performance in midweek. Timo Werner struggled from the left and the manager admitted he is low on confidence, so a start would seem unlikely.

Ange Postecoglou must make the brutal decision to drop James Maddison from the Tottenham starting lineup when they face off with Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs have been a team in form of late, winning seven of their last eight contests in all competitions, though they still currently sit eighth in the Premier League table having won four, drawn one and lost three, including a 3-2 defeat to Brighton having led by two goals at the half.

But one of their standout performers, Dejan Kulusevski, has looked far more comfortable when operating in the No. 10 position currently held by Maddison, bringing a greater balance to the team when deployed in that role.

Kulusevski Should Start Over Maddison

The Swede has been one of Spurs' standouts this season

While both Maddison and Kulusevski are players who have hit the ground running this season, an argument can be made that only one should be on the pitch at any given time.

The Swede has impressed more to start the 2024/25 campaign, where he was hailed as 'outstanding' by former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor after his performance in their 3-0 thumping of Manchester United earlier in the season.

Having been deployed in both the centre of midfield and as the team's centre-forward when both Dominic Solanke and Richarlison were absent, Kulusevski has been far more effective when sitting behind the striker and dictating the attacking play, which has seen him rated a 7.77, per WhoScored, when in the No. 10 role. In comparison, Maddison has registered a 6.73 rating in the same position.

Furthermore, when Kulusevski is playing in the middle of the park, he brings more stability and balance to the midfield, as exemplified by last weekend's 4-1 destruction of West Ham, when Spurs went on to score three second-half goals after Maddison was subbed off at the half with Kulusevski in a midfield three with Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr behind him.

With Kulusevski's fine form, Postecoglou faces a tough decision on who to select, and where, in his starting lineup, but he would much rather have competition for places than none at all.

Tottenham Hotspur starlet Lucas Bergvall has been advised to remain patient for further Premier League opportunities after clocking up just 46 minutes of top-flight action under Ange Postecoglou this term.

A summer arrival in North London, the 18-year-old has had limited chances to impress since joining Spurs in a £8.5m deal from Djurgarden, making four short cameos off the bench so far.

However, according to Swedish journalist Olof Lundh, things at Tottenham are ‘pointing in the right direction’ for Bergvall, who needs to have ‘a little patience’ for any further opportunities in the top flight:

“It is so unusual for players to go from Allsvenskan to the Premier League and take a place.

“If you are so young, even if he has taken huge steps, and hasn’t played very many at the highest level even in Sweden – then you have to have a little patience.

“If you are his age, you get to see all the minutes in the first season as a bonus. Everything still points in the right direction.”

The 18-year-old was handed his fourth start in a Spurs shirt on Thursday night, as Postecoglou’s men beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 at home to secure their third win of the Europa League campaign.

It was Richarlison who netted the winner from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute after Bergvall had been fouled inside the box.

The Swedish starlet, however, was forced off the pitch 20 minutes later after he was seen clutching his leg. Postecoglou later revealed the 18-year-old was ‘just cramping up’, having not played a lot of first-team football this season.

The Australian tactician suggested the continental games ‘are a great foundation’ for Spurs youngsters, including Mikey Moore, who stood out on the left wing in the narrow victory.

Bergvall, who made his ninth appearance of the season on Thursday, completed 91% of his passes and contributed defensively, winning four of his seven ground duels and making three tackles.

Tottenham Hotspur are keeping tabs on wide forward Andreas Skov Olsen and have refused to rule out the possibility of attempting to beat the likes of West Ham United and Aston Villa to the Club Brugge star's signature after he has worked his way onto the radar at Hotspur Way, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was not afraid to splash the cash during the summer transfer window, with Dominic Solanke becoming the most expensive signing in the north Londoners' history when he completed a £65million switch from Premier League rivals Bournemouth in August.

Although Tottenham improved their options on the right flank thanks to tempting Burnley into agreeing a £25million deal for Wilson Odobert, while Min-hyeok Yang is poised to arrive from South Korean outfit Gangwon in January, Skov Olsen has been shortlisted as a potential recruit in the coming months.

Spurs Monitoring Skov Olsen's Performances

North Londoners at risk of facing competition from additional suitors

Tottenham are making regular checks on Skov Olsen ahead of potentially testing Club Brugge's resolve with a formal offer, according to GMS sources, and there is confidence that they need to make a decision on whether to pounce imminently as he is on course to consider the ideal destination for the next phase of his career.

The Denmark international has been a key man for his current employers, thanks to getting his name on the scoresheet four times and registering a further assist over the course of 13 appearances in all competitions this season, and his form has led to him gaining admiring glances from a host of clubs.

Although West Ham, Aston Villa, AC Milan and Sevilla are also being linked with Skov Olsen, GMS sources have been informed that Tottenham are monitoring his performances and could look to fight off stiff competition for an agreement after Postecoglou has gone in search of fresh competition for the likes of Brennan Johnson.

Club Brugge were seeking in the region of £25million when Arsenal were among the suitors contemplating offering a route into the Premier League during the summer transfer window, and Spurs are aware that the 24-year-old's early season form will have resulted in his price tag failing to drop ahead of being able to acquire his services in January.

But Tottenham and other interested parties are eyeing Skov Olsen's situation in Belgium due to being aware that the Jupiler Pro League side may be left with little choice but to lower their demands at the end of the season as he is preparing to enter the final 18 months of his contract at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Andreas Skov Olsen has registered 25 shots and 14 key passes during the early stages of the Jupiler Pro League season

Skov Olsen Pinpointed as Ideal Wide Addition

Postecoglou desperate to recruit fresh option on flank next year

GMS sources have been told that Postecoglou has pinpointed the arrival of a fresh wide option as a priority for 2025, and Skov Olsen's age, experience and potential have resulted in him gaining support behind the scenes as a potential Tottenham recruit after plans have been put in place.

The right-sided attacker has been compared to Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah by Danish journalist Klaus Egelund thanks to the way he likes to cut inside onto his favoured left foot, and there is confidence within the Spurs camp that he has a bright future ahead of him after also shining for Bologna and Nordsjaelland earlier in his career.

Scottish Premiership heavyweights Rangers earmarked Skov Olsen as their top target in January 2022 before Club Brugge beat them to his signature, GMS recently reported, but a move away from the Jupiler Pro League could be on the cards as Tottenham and a host of other admirers are circling after being described as having a 'deadly left foot'.

Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are on course to be left frustrated in their attempts to sign Hayden Hackney midway through the season as Middlesbrough have ruled out the possibility of sanctioning his exit amid interest from St James' Park and Hotspur Way, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

Despite being forced to contend with having to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh for a combined £65million due to fears of breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules during the summer, Magpies boss Eddie Howe has been scouring the market for reinforcements ahead of the transfer window reopening.

Hackney has worked his way onto Newcastle's radar after flourishing in his current surroundings, while Tottenham chief Ange Postecoglou is also circling a matter of months after raiding Middlesbrough's Championship rivals Leeds United by completing the £30million acquisition of Archie Gray.

Magpies and Spurs Set for Hackney Problem

Middlesbrough insisting defensive midfielder is not for sale

Newcastle and Tottenham are among a host of Premier League suitors to have been tracking Hackney's performances during the early stages of the campaign, according to GMS sources, but they have already discovered that Middlesbrough are not prepared to cash in during the January transfer window.

The 22-year-old defensive midfielder has been a key part of Boro boss Michael Carrick's plans, resulting in him starting each of his side's 11 Championship fixtures this season, while he has also shown that he is capable of being a threat in the final third of the pitch by chipping in with goals against Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.

GMS sources have been informed that Newcastle and Tottenham will have to turn their attentions towards alternative targets if they want to bolster their options in the middle of the park midway through the campaign as Middlesbrough have indicated there is no possibility of them being tempted into agreeing a deal for Hackney.

Although the Magpies and Spurs are aware that they will not have to offer lucrative personal terms, thanks to the seven-cap England under-21 international being on a contract worth £6,500-per-week at the Riverside Stadium, his current employers are in a strong negotiating position as his deal is due to run until 2027.

Tottenham are long-term admirers of Hackney as GMS sources recently revealed that the north Londoners were prepared to remain patient when it became clear that Middlesbrough would not sell him before the summer deadline, while he is valued in the region of £25million after remaining one of the first names on the team sheet.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Hayden Hackney has made 80 appearances over the course of his Middlesbrough career, chalking up seven goals and six assists along the way

Howe and Postecoglou Facing Hackney Battle

Manchester United could pounce if 22-year-old becomes available

GMS sources have been told that Newcastle and Tottenham are in danger of facing stiff competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United if it becomes clear that Middlesbrough are open to selling Hackney in the summer as the Red Devils are also keeping tabs on his displays in the Championship.

Erik ten Hag completed the £50.5million acquisition of Manuel Ugarte from reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in August, resulting in the backline having further protection, but the Dutch tactician is in the market for another option as he seeks further improvements to his Old Trafford squad.

Although Newcastle, Tottenham and Manchester United are putting themselves in a strong position to pounce in the event of Hackney being allowed to embark on a fresh challenge, GMS sources understand that Middlesbrough are comfortable with their stance and are not poised to make a U-turn on their plans to keep him for the rest of the season.

Boro are less certain about their chances of holding onto Rav van den Berg, with insiders indicating there is a fear that the central defender could be a big-name to seal his exit if a significant proposal is put on the table after being scouted by a number of interested parties, but those concerns have resulted in Carrick insisting that two key departures will not happen.

Tottenham Hotspur will return to Europa League action when they host Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night, looking to continue their fine form.

The Lilywhites made it six wins in their last seven games with a dominant 4-1 win over West Ham United at the weekend in the Premier League, while Ange Postecoglou's side have also won both of their games in the Europa League Qarabag and Ferencvaros. Alkmaar on the other hand suffered defeat to Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven this past weekend, while they have won one and lost one of their two Europa League fixtures against Elfsborg and Athletic Club respectively.

With a busy schedule ahead in the coming weeks both sides may look to freshen their team up for the clash, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expect both sides to line up.

Tottenham Team News

Son and Spence miss training

It was positive news at the weekend when Heung-Min Son returned to the starting lineup following a hamstring injury and netted in the 4-1 win, but the skipper has missed training on Wednesday and is now a doubt for the game with the manager unlikely to risk him.

Defender Djed Spence also missed training and is unlikely to be available, but the squad were boosted by news that winger Wilson Odobert has returned to training - although this game is likely to come too soon for the former Burnley star to start.

Richarlison is pushing for a start after recovering from his own injury problems, while youngsters Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall will be hoping to get some valuable game time following their £40m summer transfers.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference, Postecoglou issued an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of the match.

"Sonny was a bit sore after the weekend, but he was never going to be involved anyway. We'll leave him out, and we'll see how he is from there."

Tottenham Predicted XI

Bergvall and Gray to start

Tottenham Predicted XI: Forster; Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Davies; Sarr, Bissouma; Johnson, Bergvall, Werner; Richarlison

Tottenham Predicted Substitutes: Vicario (GK), Austin (GK), Dorrington (DEF), Romero (DEF), Porro (DEF), Udogie (DEF), Bentancur (MID), Maddison (MID), Kulusevski (MID), Solanke (FWD), Lankshear (FWD), Moore (FWD).

With a busy schedule ahead, Postecoglou will surely use this as a way to get minutes in the legs of some fringe players while also giving some of his key players a rest. £60m striker Richarlison is pushing for a start which should allow Dominic Solanke a rest, while Pape Mate Sarr shone off the bench against West Ham and may have earned himself a start in midfield.

Radu Dragusin returns from suspension in the last European fixture and should start again, while Fraser Forster may get the nod between the sticks.

AZ Alkmaar Team News

Troy Parrott returns to Spurs

Alkmaar have had a mixed season so far domestically and are dealing with several injury issues coming into this game. Netherlands international Bruno Martins-Indi is set to miss the clash alongside Wouter Goes, Lewis Schouten, Mexx Merdink and Lequincio Zeefuik.

Sem Westerveld also has a knee injury while striker Ibrahim Sadiq picked up an injury on international duty with Ghana and missed the weekend defeat to PSV, but he will be assessed ahead of this game. Left-back David Moller Wolfe was sent off at the weekend but will be available for the game as the suspension is just for domestic fixtures.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Dutch coach shared an update on the squad he will have available to him for the game.

xxxx

AZ Alkmaar Predicted XI

Parrott to start

AZ Alkmaar Predicted XI: Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Penetra, Dekker, Wolfe; Clasie, Mijnans, Koopmeiners; Buurmeester, Parrott, Van Bommel.

AZ Alkmaar Predicted Substitutes: Zoet (GK), Verhulst (GK), Kasius (DEF), De Wit (DEF), Belic (MID), Poku (FWD), Addai (FWD), Lahdo (FWD)

With a host of injury issues to contend with, Maarten Martens is likely to go with a team largely unchanged from the last European outing before the international break.

Former Spurs striker Troy Parrott should continue as the number nine, while Ruben Van Bommel should also continue on the wing, while Maxim Dekker should continue in central defence in place of the injured Martins-Indi.