Cristian Romero returns, Udogie axed – Tottenham predicted XI v AZ Alkmaar
Ange Postecoglou could welcome Cristian Romero back while Destiny Udogie is axed for Tottenham against AZ Alkmaar.
Spurs will travel to the AFAS Stadion for the first leg of their Round of 16 UEFA Europa League clash with AZ Alkmaar on Thursday (6 March).
With Postecoglou’s side out of both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and 13 points adrift of the Premier League’s top five, the Europa League is all they have left to play for.
As a result, victory is needed in the Netherlands, with the Opta Analyst Supercomputer sharing Spurs’ chances of overcoming AZ Alkmaar.
And Postecoglou will likely look to make wholesale changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday (26 February).
Postecoglou ‘to make three Tottenham changes v AZ Alkmaar’
Guglielmo Vicario will expect to keep his place between the sticks after preventing 1.09 goals and completing 93 per cent of his passes against Pep Guardiola’s side [Sofascore].
Meanwhile, Djed Spence was dropped against City, a decision not popular among Spurs supporters, and should therefore return fully rested against AZ Alkmaar.
Udogie is likely the player who will make way despite completing 97 per cent of his passes and winning nine of his 12 ground duels against City, with the Italian having only just returned from a long-term injury.
This would see Pedro Porro keep his place at right-back, while Kevin Danso could start alongside Romero for the first time as Archie Gray drops to the bench.
| Kevin Danso at Tottenham | Result | Date |
| V Liverpool | 4-0 (L) | 6 February |
| V Aston Villa | 2-1 (L) | 9 February |
| V Manchester United | 1-0 (W) | 16 February |
| V Ipswich Town | 4-1 (W) | 22 February |
| V Manchester City | 1-0 (L) | 26 February |
Tottenham supporters were enraged after Romero was called up by Argentina for the upcoming international break in March.
However, Spurs are understood to have permitted the decision with Romero in line to feature in the North London club’s next four matches before the international break [The Telegraph].
Postecoglou to axe Wilson Odobert v AZ Alkmaar
Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall have emerged as the preferred midfield two in recent weeks and could start once again in the middle of the park against AZ Alkmaar.
Bentancur won eight of his 12 ground duels and made four tackles against City while Bergvall completed 87 per cent of his passes. Meanwhile, Dejan Kulusevski will miss out after suffering an injury setback, which means James Maddison is likely to keep his place.
However, he will need to show improvement, as the Englishman only succeeded with 25 per cent of his dribbles and lost possession 24 times against City.
Brennan Johnson is likely to keep his place out wide, while Son Heung-min comes back in for Wilson Odobert on the left.
Odobert struggled against City, missing one big chance and succeeding with just 50 per cent of his dribbles, and in a game as big as this one, Postecoglou will no doubt want his captain starting.
That would see Mathys Tel once again start through the middle with Dominic Solanke unlikely to return to the starting lineup.