NBC Sports

Postecoglou disappointed in Spurs' loss to Fulham  NBC Sports

Muniz slots home Fulham's opener against Spurs  NBC Sports

Tottenham Hotspur achieved their main objective for the week as they advanced the Europa League quarterfinals on Thursday, but Ange Postecoglou’s side still has yeoman’s work to do to get their domestic standing back in order, beginning with Sunday’s short trip across London to face Fulham (9:30 am ET).

WATCH LIVE – Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs (34 points) were a goal down to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar after the first leg but a rousing second-leg performance that saw Wilson Odobert (twice) and James Maddison score the goals gave the north London side a much-needed boost of confidence. All of that said, they still sit 13th in the Premier League, eight points behind Fulham and the top half of the table. Returning stars Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke all came through Thursday unscathed as they work their way back to full fitness and sharpness for the run-in. Due to injuries, none of the three were available when Spurs hosted Fulham and settled for a 1-1 draw back on Dec. 1.

As for the Cottagers (42 points - 10th place), a top-half finish is very realistic (three points between them and Crystal Palace in 11th) and European qualification is hardly a pipe dream with 10 games left to play (five points between them and Manchester City in 5th). Marco Silva’s side has been incredibly steady of late (and most of the season), having conceded three goals just once in their last 16 PL games. On the flip side, they have scored three goals just once in 23 outings in the league. Silva is set to manage his 200th PL game on Sunday and has the highest win percentage of Fulham manager in the league (37.5 percent, in 104 games).

How to watch Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 9:30am ET Sunday

Venue: Craven Cottage — London

TV Channel: USA

Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com

Fulham team news

OUT: Harry Wilson (foot), Kenny Tete (knee), Reiss Nelson (hamstring), Sasa Lukic (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Adama Traore (ankle)

Tottenham Hotspur team news

OUT: Richarlison (lower leg), Radu Dragusin (torn ACL - out for season), Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Kevin Danso (hamstring)

Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur prediction

With all of Tottenham Hotspur’s eggs now resting in the Europa League basket, everything is riding on their round-of-16 second-leg clash with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in north London on Thursday.

MORE – Latest Champions League scores, knockout stage bracket

Spurs were not only beaten 1-0 in last week’s away leg, but they were (un)comfortably second-best on the night and lucky to escape with just a one-goal deficit. It was an alarming performance from a side that desperately needs to impress in a competition that they are widely expected to contest, if not win. As their season spiraled out of control due to a months-long injury crisis, Ange Postecoglou always had the cup competitions to point to as a reason for optimism. Then, they went out of the League Cup in the semifinals and the FA Cup just days later. Now, Spurs sit 13th in the Premier League table (eight points off the top half) and on the brink of going out of the Europa League in their first round of the knockouts.

If you’re searching for a hopeful Spurs angle, look no further than the recent returns of Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke, all of whom should reasonably be expected to start the second leg after playing 30, 60 and 90 minutes, respectively, in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth over the weekend. The center backs are undeniably most important for Postecoglou’s side, as they provide not only the best cover at the back but a greater ability to play the ball out of the back in possession. Spurs had a nightmare of a time against AZ Almkaar’s press in the first leg and found passing the ball into the final third, let alone scoring a goal, an impossible task.

How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 4pm ET Thursday (March 13)

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — London

TV/Streaming: Paramount+

Tottenham Hotspur team news, focus

OUT: Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Kevin Danso (hamstring), Rodrigo Bentancur (suspension), Richarlison (calf), Radu Dragusin (torn ACL)

AZ Alkmaar team news, focus

OUT: Sven Mijnans (achilles), Mayckel Lahdo (foot) | QUESTIONABLE: Ruben van Bommel (leg), Denso Kasius (fitness), Mexx Meerdink (hamstring), Jayden Addai (ankle)

Tottenham Hotspur vs AZ Alkmaar prediction

Extended HLs: Spurs v. Bournemouth Matchweek 28  NBC Sports

This one wasn’t the injuries, so you can check one item off Ange Postecoglou’s possible reasons for Tottenham Hotspur’s poor start in a draw with Bournemouth in North London on Sunday.

But Postecoglou may be more interested in the Kepa Arrizabalaga-fueled comeback to get a point, as Pape Sarr caught the Bournemouth keeper off his line before the out-of-control keeper allowed Heung-min Son to win a penalty off of him in the final 10 minutes.

RECAP, HIGHLIGHTS — Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Bournemouth

Spurs gave up goals to Justin Kluivert and Evanilson, and could’ve allowed a few more on another day as Guglielmo Vicario was called upon early and often.

Bournemouth were a better team than their hosts on the day, as the Cherries overran the midfield and did not make it easy for the returning Cristian Romero to get rid of rust.

Postecoglou also kept James Maddison and Heung-min Son on the bench to start this one, and both players combined on the play that won Son’s equalizing penalty.

And he’ll be hoping this can be a boost as the club looks to overcome the 1-0 Europa League deficit they face after Thursday’s first-leg at AZ Alkmaar.

Ange Postecoglou reaction — Spurs boss reacts to comeback in home draw with Bournemouth

“Obviously at 2-nil we had a bit of a mountain to climb. It was a chaotic game today, fair to say, but the boys showed a real mentality. It would’ve been easy at 2-nil to let it slip away from us but they fought hard and got us back in the game.”

Good to comeback after Thursday struggle at AZ Alkmaar? “It was a different kind of struggle for us today. Thursday was nothing like us. Today it was different. Bournemouth pressed really well and we were really sloppy with the ball at times which allowed them to pin us back.”

Players not at top confidence? “There’s obviously a sense of nervousness there and we’re getting players back who have been out for quite a while. It’s good to get Romero out there but his first pass shows he hasn’t played in three months. We have to bear that in mind. Some of that is anxiety but they persevered and it shows that they’ve got belief in what we’re doing.”

Returning players help boost spirits? “Van de Ven, Romero, and Dom, those kind of players are quality players. It gives the whole team a bit of a boost to see them out there.”

“It would’ve been a fairly deflating feeling if we didn’t [fight]. That gives us the players some understanding to stay strong, that whatever struggle we might have, we can overcome, keep that in mind for Thursday night.”

Evanilson chips Bournemouth 2-0 ahead of Spurs  NBC Sports

It’ll be another quick turnaround for Tottenham Hotspur following their humbling 1-0 defeat away to AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday, when Ange Postecoglou’s side hosts relentless (but slumping) Bournemouth on Sunday (10 am ET).

WATCH LIVE – Tottenham Hotspur vs Bournemouth

To add (re-)injury to insult, Dominic Solanke hobbled off in stoppage time, just 20 minutes after he came off the bench for his first action since Jan. 15 (knee injury). Spurs’ $83-million striker (signed from Bournemouth in the summer) took a knee to the back as he went up and contested a high ball into the box, but Postecoglou indicated it wasn’t “anything too bad … a knock” after the game. Still, the timing couldn’t be worse with Spurs’ attack generating next to nothing in three of their last four halves of football. Center backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero were unused substitutes on the bench on Thursday, and their experience and composure on the ball will be badly needed against Bournemouth after Kevin Danso and Archie Gray were unable to cope with Alkmaar’s high press — precisely what the Cherries are known for.

After going 11 games unbeaten from the end of November to January (7W-4D-0L), Bournemouth have lost three of its last four games in the PL and the Cherries now find themselves in danger of falling away from the Champions League chase (7th place, three points behind 5th-place Chelsea). After averaging 2.3 goals per game during their purple patch (joint-most points, 25, in the PL during those 11 games), Andoni Iraola’s side has scored just four times in four games since, with three coming in the same game against last-place Southampton. Evanilson’s absence (broken foot) wasn’t felt immediately, but eventually the goals dried up and the Brazilian was missed. Alas, the 25-year-old started (and scored) in last weekend’s FA Cup victory over Wolves and is expected to make his first PL appearance since Jan. 4.

How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Bournemouth live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 10am ET Sunday

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

TV Channel: Peacock

Streaming: Premier League on Peacock

Tottenham Hotspur team news

OUT: Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Richarlison (lower leg), Radu Dragusin (torn ACL - out for season), Ben Davies (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Dominic Solanke (knock)

Bournemouth team news

OUT: Illia Zabarnyi (suspension), Enes Unal (knee), Marcos Senesi (thigh), Adam Smith (knock) | QUESTIONABLE: Ryan Christie (groin), Julian Araujo (thigh)

Tottenham Hotspur vs Bournemouth prediction

Tottenham Hotspur head to the Netherlands on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie against AZ Alkmaar.

MORE — UEFA Europa League schedule

Spurs are the heavy favorites as they finished fourth in the League Phase table and despite all of their injury issues, this competition has gone well for them this season. Ange Postecoglou has said he always wins a trophy in his second season in charge of a club but this competition is his only remaining hope of keeping that record intact. Spurs are the second favorites to win the Europa League and the likes of Son, Maddison and Co. are set to star in the latter stages. If they can get past AZ Alkmaar.

AZ are in the hunt for third place in the Eredivisie, with head coach Maarten Martens doing well in his first season in charge as they beat Galatasaray in the knockout round. Spurs academy product Troy Parrott is coming up against his boyhood club and has popped up with some big goals this season for AZ.

How to watch AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 12:45pm ET Thursday (March 6)

Venue: AFAS Stadion — Alkmaar

TV/Streaming: Paramount+

AZ Alkmaar team news, focus

Parrott has scored 12 goals in all competitions and is AZ’s leading goalscorer, with the former Spurs striker really good at timing his runs into the box and delivering a calm finish. Jordy Clasie is so experienced and keeps things ticking over very nicely in central midfield, while Peer Koopmeiners is a rising star alongside Clasie. Captain and center back Bruno Martins Indi is a key player in defense for AZ as they have a great balance of youth and experience.

Tottenham Hotspur team news, focus

Defensive injuries remain for Spurs but things have calmed down in recent weeks as they have been able to rotate and get close to their best starting lineup. It will be intriguing to see how Ange lines up Spurs in midfield with Bergvall and Maddison perhaps starting on the bench with Sarr and Bentancur starting in a more defensive midfield. Dejan Kulusevski looks set to be out with a foot injury, which is a blow, but it isn’t believed to be a long-term issue.

OUT: Richarlison (lower leg), Micky van de Ven (fitness), Radu Dragusin (torn ACL - out for season), Dominic Solanke (knee - MORE), Cristian Romero (quad) | QUESTIONABLE: Ben Davies (undisclosed), Dejan Kulusevski (foot)

AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham Hotspur prediction

Starting in 2019 and in every season since then, with the exception of the pandemic year of 2020, the NFL has played two games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Starting in 2025, season tickets will not be available for the games.

The league informed the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium season-ticket holders of the change in policy on Friday, via email. The message attributes the changes to giving more fans “the opportunity to attend games in London.”

The season-ticket holders will have access to an exclusive presale for the two games to be played in 2025, with the Browns and Jets hosting.

Some season-ticket holders aren’t happy about the move. One season-ticket holder expressed skepticism to PFT regarding the stated purpose of the shift. Whether it’s to increase revenue or to make more tickets available for destination packages from the U.S. for fans of the teams involved in the annual games, the move freezes out those who have been buying tickets to both games, each and every year.

Which doesn’t seem like the ideal way to treat the loyal fans the NFL has cultivated since launching the regular-season international games in 2007.