Credit: Imago

Matthew Chadder

Sun 9 March 2025 12:52, UK

Ange Postecoglou has made big decisions involving Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke in his Tottenham team to take on Bournemouth.

Postecoglou’s side will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 at the AFAS Stadion on Thursday (6 March).

However, it won’t be easy, as the North London side welcome the high-flying Cherries to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Bournemouth have enjoyed a positive season and are 10 points ahead of Spurs, but with Postecoglou under pressure and facing the sack from Daniel Levy, the Australian will not be able to lean on this as an excuse and knows he needs a result.

Therefore, he will be relieved he has been able to call on Romero and Solanke, while he has also taken a big risk by leaving a few key players on the bench.

Postecoglou makes six changes for Tottenham v Bournemouth

Andoni Iraola has been tipped for Tottenham in recent times. Therefore, Postecoglou will want to prove to his employers that he is just as capable as his Bournemouth counterpart with a win over the Cherries.

The 59-year-old has made six changes to the team which lost in the Netherlands. Pedro Porro comes in for Destiny Udogie, while Romero makes his long-awaited return, replacing Archie Gray in defence.

Meanwhile, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr come in for James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall.

Leaving Maddison on the bench could be considered a risk, as statistically, the Englishman was one of Spurs’ better players against AZ Alkmaar.

The midfielder completed 90 per cent of his passes, while 100 per cent of his long balls were accurate and he also succeeded with 100 per cent of his dribbles [Sofascore].

In addition, he won five of his six ground duels and won four fouls for Spurs.

Further forward, Son Heung-min and Mathys Tel have been dropped, with Wilson Odobert and Solanke coming in, despite fears the Tottenham striker wouldn’t be fit enough to face his former side.

Tottenham need three points against Bournemouth

Spurs’ chances of qualifying for a European competition next season based on their league position are effectively all but over.

However, defeat against Bournemouth would almost guarantee that Postecoglou’s side cannot finish in the top eight. Therefore, it is important that they pick up a win and try to climb the Premier League table ever so slightly.

In addition, Spurs have arguably their biggest game of Postecoglou’s reign to date to come when they welcome AZ Alkmaar to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday (13 March) for the second leg of their Europa League Round of 16 clash.

As a result, they won’t want to head into this game off the back of a defeat, and a win could help build some momentum in North London.