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.
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.
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.
