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Richarlison returns as Postecoglou makes eight changes, Son absent – Predicted Tottenham XI vs AZ

Tottenham Hotspur host Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening in what promises to be an exciting Europa League showdown.

Spurs made light work of West Ham United last weekend, running out 4-1 winners in the Premier League..

Manager Ange Postecoglou was delighted with his side’s emphatic response to their shocking 3-2 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break.

The loss at the Amex Stadium ended their five-match winning streak across all competitions, but Postecoglou be keen for his side to pick up where they left off against West Ham.

Mohammed Kudus gave the Hammers an early lead, but Dejan Kulusevski levelled matters shortly after the half-hour mark.

A second-half strike from Yves Bissouma was closely followed by Alphonse Areola’s own goal before skipper Heung-min Son marked his return with a beautiful goal to wrap up the three points.

Son has bagged three goals and two assists in eight games, but he won’t be part of the squad to face AZ on Thursday.

Postecoglou confirmed that the South Korean forward felt ‘a bit sore’ after the West Ham game and has been omitted as a precautionary measure.


However, Spurs have been handed an injury boost ahead of Thursday’s showdown, with summer signing Wilson Odobert in contention after shaking off a hamstring problem.

Richarlison is also in line to feature against AZ after making a late cameo in the win against West Ham.

Postecoglou will likely field a heavily rotated side on Thursday, as has been the case with Spurs’ previous Europa League outings against Qarabag and Ferencvaros.

Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Mikey Moore all featured in the opening two Europa League games and will likely be named in the team to face AZ.

Predicted Tottenham line-up:

(4-3-3): Guglielmo Vicario; Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie; Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall; Mikey Moore, Richarlison, Timo Werner.

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