Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Archie Gray could make Europa League history and join Marcus Rashford in an exclusive club against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night.

The Lilywhites are under pressure to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their last-16 tie, having succumbed to defeat in the Netherlands last week courtesy of a Lucas Bergvall own goal.

Gray played the full 90 in that slender loss at the AFAS Stadion and has remarkably not missed a single minute of Europa League football for Spurs in the 2024-25 season, where his services have been invaluable.

Thanks to Tottenham's prior injury crisis at the back, the former Leeds United protege has already played 36 times in all competitions this season and has been deployed all across the backline in the Europa League.

After he was rested for the weekend's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in the Premier League, Gray seemingly has a good chance of coming back into the starting lineup on Thursday, where he would make history by doing so.

Gray could achieve unprecedented Europa League feat against AZ

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Having already appeared from the off in Spurs' nine Europa League contests so far this season, Gray could now become the first English teenager to start 10 games in the competition in a single campaign.

Furthermore, only one English teenager has ever appeared in at least 10 Europa League matches in a single season before; Rashford featured 11 times for Manchester United in the 2016-17 edition.

However, the attacker only started eight of those fixtures - including the 2-0 win over Ajax in the final - and was brought off the bench in a further three continental matches by Jose Mourinho.

Gray's hopes of making history against AZ have received a boost thanks to a reported injury for January signing Kevin Danso, who is understood to have hurt his hamstring in the weekend's clash with Bournemouth.

The Lens loanee joins long-term ACL absentee Radu Dragusin on the sidelines, although Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are both fit and raring to go again following lengthy absences.

History suggests Tottenham will prevail in AZ second leg

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Spurs may have put up little resistance in the first leg, but Ange Postecoglou got a measure of the response he was looking for in the second half of Sunday's battle with Bournemouth, as his side came from two goals down to draw.

Europa League history suggests that Tottenham will similarly be able to turn the tide against AZ Alkmaar, who have lost each of their previous nine away games against English teams in European competition.

With nine losses from nine such matches, AZ possess the worst losing record in European away games against English sides out of any club in history, while Spurs seldom fail to deliver in front of goal.

Indeed, the Lilywhites have managed to score in each of their last 29 home matches in the Europa League, including every one at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the last time they drew a blank in such circumstances was in 2012, a goalless draw with Lazio at White Hart Lane.

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly leaning towards a certain decision regarding Ange Postecoglou's future should the club exit the Europa League on Thursday night.

With 10 points having been accumulated from their last five Premier League games, there is an argument that Spurs are back on an upward trajectory.

However, at a time when they remain in 13th place in the top-flight table, the North Londoners are also trailing AZ Alkmaar by a 1-0 deficit ahead of the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

Realistically requiring victory in the competition to secure European qualification for 2024-25, the fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is viewed as the biggest of Spurs' season thus far.

Pressure has been growing on Postecoglou for some time, the Greek-Australian having suffered widespread injury issues to key players yet still having overseen a number of unexpected defeats.

What is Spurs' plan for Postecoglou?

If Spurs fail to overcome AZ on Thursday night, there will naturally be question marks over Postecoglou's longevity in the Spurs dugout.

Nevertheless, according to Football Insider, there are currently no plans to part ways with the 59-year-old at the present time.

The report suggests that club officials intend to retain the services of Postecoglou until at least the end of the season when they will then review the situation.

Furthermore, it is alleged that there is belief that Spurs can improve over the next two-and-a-half months now that more players are available for selection.

As it stands, that perception may change if Spurs do not impress against their Eredivisie opponents, who have had a full week to prepare for their trip to London.

Potential successor identified?

A report earlier this week claimed that Spurs' hierarchy had placed Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi as a possible replacement for Postecoglou.

Inzaghi has spent his entire playing and managerial career in Italy, yet the job that he is doing at San Siro is attracting an increasing number of admirers.

That said, there is no possibility of the 48-year-old contemplating an exit from Inter before the end of the season when his side are bidding to achieve the treble.

Tottenham Hotspur will need to overturn a first-leg deficit against AZ Alkmaar in North London in the Europa League on Thursday night if they are to keep any hopes of silverware this season alive.

Lucas Bergvall's freak own goal is all that separates the sides following last Thursday's clash in the Netherlands, with a place in the quarter-finals against Eintracht Frankfurt or Ajax up for grabs.

Match preview

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The defeat last week for Spurs means they have now won just one of their previous nine first-leg away matches in Europe, with the solitary success coming in the last 32 of this competition against Wolfsburger behind closed doors in 2021.

This has rapidly become the most important game of the season for manager Ange Postecoglou, whose promise of winning a trophy this season is under serious threat.

FA and EFL Cup glory have both fallen by the wayside recently, leaving the Europa League as their only remaining opportunity to end the near-two-decade wait for silverware.

Spurs ended the league phase in fourth, and took 10 points from a possible 12 at home, including a 1-0 win over AZ, so there will not be many people panicking ahead of this one, despite the current deficit.

Keeping things tight at the back could be the key, because the hosts have scored in each of their previous 29 Europa League home matches - a competition record - meaning the goals should take care of themselves, but keeping them out at the other end has proven troublesome.

Bournemouth scored twice at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, and Postecoglou's side were fortunate not to be more than 2-0 down before their late fightback.

That point keeps them down in 13th, 10 points off the top eight, so most of their focus will now be on Europe, and they are the favourites, especially considering they have won four of their last five home matches against Dutch clubs.

The only exception in that run was when Ajax won 1-0 here in the 2019 Champions League semi-finals, but Spurs still advanced to the final following the dramatic late comeback in Amsterdam.

For AZ, there was very little down for them ahead of this first leg, but they ended a 10-game winless run against English sides by beating Spurs a week ago.

However, they remain the big outsiders, because they have lost on all nine of their previous trips to England in Europe - the worst such 100% losing run any club has suffered in European football history.

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Form on the road in general is worrisome for Maarten Martens's side, because AZ have not won any of their last 10 away games on the continent, and they will equal their worst-ever streak if they fail to win again in this one.

Fortunately for the visitors, they were allowed to postpone their league fixture against Waalwijk at the weekend to give them the maximum time possible to prepare for this one.

It has been an astonishingly good 2025 for the AZ supporters so far, excelling on three fronts, as they beat Turkish giants Galatasaray 6-3 on aggregate to get this far.

Since losing to Ferencvaros on matchday eight of the league phase, AZ have won seven of their nine matches across all competitions, keeping them in the race for the top three in the Eredivisie.

The biggest win of them all was against Heracles Almelo in the semi-finals of the KNVB Beker though, setting up a shot at silverware against Go Ahead Eagles in the final next month.

Tottenham Hotspur Europa League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

AZ Alkmaar Europa League form:

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):

Team News

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Spurs will be without midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur after his yellow card in the first leg has triggered a one-match suspension, but with Archie Gray and Bergvall only named as substitutes at the weekend, Postecoglou has more than enough options to cover.

Micky van den Ven and Cristian Romero both returned from lengthy absences at the weekend and could well be the starting duo at centre-back here, especially with Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies both out injured.

Dejan Kulusevski is the big miss at present for Tottenham, because the Swede has contributed to 20 goals across all competitions this season, while Richarlison, who scored the only goal when they beat AZ in the league phase, is also currently sidelined.

AZ will be without Mayckel Lahdo after he was forced off inside just 10 minutes during the first leg, and his replacement, Denso Kasius, also had to be withdrawn shortly after the hour mark.

Those two will join influential duo Sven Mijnans and Ruben van Bommel on the sidelines, while young attacking pair Jayden Addai and Mexx Meerdink are also out injured.

Former Spurs boy Troy Parrott should lead the line again, hoping to score against the club where he broke through as a youngster, after failing to do so in their two previous meetings this season.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Pedro Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Udogie; Bergvall, Gray, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe; Clasie, Buurmeester, Koopmeiners; Poku, Parrott, Sadiq

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 AZ Alkmaar

Spurs have been very good at home in Europe this season, barring a few nervy minutes at the end against Roma, scoring nine goals in their four league phase matches here, and the team will be under no illusions over how important this match is for their season.

AZ have lost on all previous nine trips to England, and while they will certainly get chances in front of goal here, they will feel as though they missed a big opportunity not winning by more goals in the first leg, where they were largely dominant.

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Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified another potential successor to head coach Ange Postecoglou.

The Greek-Australian has found himself under constant pressure during the 2024-25 campaign courtesy of Spurs' poor performance in the Premier League.

Despite registered 10 points from their last five games, Spurs still sit in 13th place in the standings, 10 points adrift of eighth position.

Furthermore, last week's 1-0 reverse to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie has led to heightened speculation over how long Postecoglou may remain at the helm.

In the short term, it will take Spurs overturning that deficit versus the Eredivisie outfit to quieten talk over a departure during the March international break.

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Italian coach earmarked as successor?

According to Tuttosport, chairman Daniel Levy is said to have earmarked Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi as a possible replacement.

The 48-year-old has forged a reputation as one of the best Italian managers over the past decade, initially spending five years with Lazio where he lifted a Coppa Italia trophy and won two Supercoppa Italianas.

However, it is his spell with Inter that has cemented his reputation, winning six pieces of silverware - including a Serie A title - and reaching the 2023 Champions League final.

Inter currently sit at the top of the top-flight standings and are also closing in on a last-eight place in the Champions League, Inzaghi winning 132 of his 199 matches in charge.

Levy and other Spurs officials have reportedly been left impressed by Inzaghi's impact and longevity at San Siro, leading to the possibility of an approach between now and the end of the season.

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Spurs left with a dilemma

As long as Spurs are participating in the Europa League, they will not contemplate a change in the dugout, but they may be eliminated from that competition as soon as Thursday.

A London derby with Fulham follows three days later before the start of the March international break, a period in which could be viewed as a window to make a change.

That said, there is no chance of Inzaghi being tempted away from Inter at this stage of the campaign, the summer representing the first real chance to hold any level of negotiations.

On that note, it is questionable whether there is any value in parting ways with Postecoglou until the end of the season at the earliest, particularly when key players have just returned from injury.

Tottenham Hotspur fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth in an enthralling Premier League affair in North London.

The boos at half time told the story of a turgid opening 45 minutes from Tottenham, whose number one Guglielmo Vicario was called into action inside the opening 20 seconds after Spurs sloppily gave the ball away.

That would be the theme for the entire opening period, and one such mistake from the hosts allowed Marcus Tavernier to break the deadlock after one of the assists of the season from Milos Kerkez.

A frenetic start to the second period saw Justin Kluivert have a well-worked goal disallowed, but Andoni Iraola's side soon got the second that their endeavour deserved through a delicate Evanilson dink.

However, a freak Pape Sarr goal immediately after put the hosts right back in contention, before Son Heung-min both won and scored a penalty to complete the Lilywhites' praiseworthy second-half turnaround.

Spurs remain entrenched in the bottom half of the Premier League rankings despite their gutsy fightback, though, lying 13th and eight and points off the top half, while eighth-placed Bournemouth are five points below the Champions League places.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

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Was this a case of Tottenham gaining one point thanks to a terrific turnaround or a case of Bournemouth dropping two points thanks to some fatal carelessness?

Most likely the latter, but Spurs took full advantage of their visitors' drop-off to create their own luck in the second half following an opening period that could hardly have gone worse for an already under-pressure Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian had a justifiable excuse for his team's poor displays over the winter amid their injury crisis, but there was no hiding place for a strong squad in the first 45, where they gave the ball away at will and were eventually made to pay for it.

However, Postecoglou arguably got the response he would have been after from Spurs' shocking Europa League loss to AZ Alkmaar in the midweek, even if neither Sarr nor Son's strikes were of the orthodox variety.

As for Bournemouth, Sunday's point could still prove to be a precious one in their fight for European football, but the Cherries will surely wonder how they let victory slip from their grasp, as a Tottenham comeback appeared to be the last thing on the cards with 65 minutes gone.

TOTTENHAM VS. BOURNEMOUTH HIGHLIGHTS

Marcus Tavernier goal vs. Tottenham (47th min, Tottenham 0-1 Bournemouth)

Chalk and cheese from both sets of full-backs, and Bournemouth are ahead thanks to one of the best assists you will see all season!

Pedro Porro surges up the field before lazily gifting possession to Kerkez, who sprints forward into the open space vacated by the Tottenham right-back.

The Hungarian gets his head up and delivers an outstanding cross to the back post, where Tavernier gets in ahead of Djed Spence to guide an exquisite volley across goal and into the side of the net - a magnificent goal all-round!

Justin Kluivert goal vs. Tottenham (65th min, Tottenham 0-2 Bournemouth)

A goal that encapsulates what Bournemouth are all about! The lively Kluivert expertly lets the ball run across his body before slipping in Evanilson.

The Brazilian just about keeps himself in line with the last defender and nonchalantly lifts the ball over the onrushing Vicario to double the visitors' advantage!

Pape Sarr goal vs. Bournemouth (67th min, Tottenham 1-2 Bournemouth)

Was it a shot? Was it a cross? Whatever it was, it has given Tottenham a lifeline!

Just two minutes after Kluivert's goal, Bournemouth are caught out on the right-hand side, as Sarr is allowed to saunter into space and delivers a cross-cum-shot that loops over Kepa Arrizabalaga, strikes the inside of the post and bounces into the back of the net!

Only he will know whether that was intentional - for what it is worth, I think it was - and Spurs have a glimmer of hope out of nothing!

Son Heung-min penalty goal vs. Bournemouth (84th min, Tottenham 2-2 Bournemouth)

Forty-five minutes is a long time in football, as Tottenham demonstrate with a late equaliser through their skipper! James Maddison plays in Son with a delightful through ball, and the South Korean just gets in ahead of Kepa, who dives at his feet and brings him down.

Referee John Brooks has no doubt in his mind and points to the spot right away, and even though Son appears to mess up a panenka attempt, Kepa goes the wrong way and the hosts complete their comeback!

MAN OF THE MATCH - MARCUS TAVERNIER

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The moment of the match may belong to Kerkez and his extraordinary first-half assist, but the goalscorer himself Tavernier deserves just as much credit for putting the ball away with aplomb, and the attacker put himself about all afternoon.

Tavernier excelled on the playmaking front as well as the goalscoring front, creating three chances, completing two accurate long passes from two attempts and also putting in four tackles before being substituted in the 81st minute.

TOTTENHAM VS. BOURNEMOUTH MATCH STATS

Possession: Tottenham 61%-39% Bournemouth

Shots: Tottenham 12-17 Bournemouth

Shots on target: Tottenham 4-8 Bournemouth

Corners: Tottenham 3-6 Bournemouth

Fouls: Tottenham 15-16 Bournemouth

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WHAT NEXT?

The games continue coming thick and fast for Tottenham, who are under pressure to reverse a 1-0 deficit against AZ Alkmaar in Thursday's Europa League last-16 second leg, before travelling to London rivals Fulham next Sunday in the top flight.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth's final game before the upcoming international break sees Iraola's team welcome Brentford to the Vitality Stadium next Saturday at 5.30pm.

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Following December's 1-0 win on home turf, Bournemouth can complete their first-ever league double over Tottenham Hotspur when they head to North London for Sunday's Premier League fixture.

The Cherries most recently reached the FA Cup quarter-finals with a dramatic penalty-shootout success over Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Spurs lost 1-0 to AZ Alkmaar in their Europa League last-16 first leg on Thursday, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs. BOURNEMOUTH

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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Richarlison (calf), Radu Dragusin (knee)

Doubtful: Dominic Solanke (knock), Ben Davies (unspecified)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Porro, Gray, Danso, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Son, Odobert

BOURNEMOUTH

Out: Ilya Zabarnyi (suspended), Enes Unal (knee), Marcos Senesi (thigh), Julian Araujo (thigh), Adam Smith (calf)

Doubtful: Ryan Christie (groin)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Kepa; Cook, Hill, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match .

Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou has revealed Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies could be involved in Sunday's Premier League home clash against Bournemouth.

Spurs are set to turn their focus back to domestic action after experiencing a disappointing trip to the Netherlands on Thursday.

Lucas Bergvall's own goal proved enough to hand AZ Alkmaar a 1-0 win in the first leg of Tottenham's Europa League last-16 clash.

Van de Ven and Romero both returned to the squad for the European fixture, but Postecoglou opted to leave the pair on the bench for the duration of the narrow defeat.

However, the Tottenham boss has now revealed that they could make their first appearances since December in Sunday's Premier League outing.

Spurs in line for triple fitness boost

"Yeah, they're a chance," Postecoglou told reporters in Friday's press conference when asked whether Van de Ven or Romero could play against Andoni Iraola's side.

"Look, when I saw the pitch the night before, I pretty much made up my mind I wasn't going to risk them last night. It wasn't a great pitch. It wasn't steady underfoot.

"It wasn't the sort of game where I felt I needed to expose them. A couple of extra days' training and recovery, and hopefully both are in line to feature."

Postecoglou also revealed that Davies could make the matchday squad after missing the last three matches with an injury issue.

"He's actually training at the moment," Postecoglou added. "So we'll see how he feels. He's definitely progressed and he feels good. We'll see how he goes [in the] next 24–48 hours. There's a chance."

What is the latest update on Solanke's injury status?

Forward Dominic Solanke made his return from a knee injury in Thursday's Europa League defeat, replacing Son Heung-min in the 72nd minute to make his first appearance since the middle of January.

Unfortunately for the Spurs striker, his return was cut short in stoppage time when he had to be replaced by Dane Scarlett following a collision.

Speaking after the match, Postecoglou admitted he was not sure of the severity of the issue which forced Solanke off.

Postecoglou provided a fresh update in Friday's pre-match press conference, explaining that he was hopeful Solanke would be available to face his former club.

"With Dom, I think he got a knee into the back so it's probably a bit sore," the Spurs head coach said. "It's a knock so hopefully it settles down pretty quickly."

The 27-year-old has scored 11 goals in 30 competitive appearances since joining Tottenham from Bournemouth last summer.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola expects to be working with an identical group of players for Sunday's Premier League contest with Tottenham Hotspur in North London.

The Cherries will still be missing Ilya Zabarnyi (suspended), Adam Smith (calf), Marcos Senesi (thigh), Enes Unal (knee) and Julian Araujo (thigh) this weekend, but Ryan Christie (groin) has not been ruled out just yet.

However, it would be a surprise to see the Scot involved as he manages his chronic issue, so Iraola will most likely be working with the same set of options he had for last weekend's FA Cup fifth-round win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Evanilson has surely done enough to reprise his role up front after bagging the Cherries' opener in that game, but Iraola could alter two-thirds of the Brazilian's supporting cast.

Justin Kluivert and Dango Ouattara could both return to the fold over David Brooks and Marcus Tavernier, although Antoine Semenyo's spot in the side is undoubtedly safe.

Unless Christie surprisingly makes himself available, Alex Scott and Tyler Adams will link arms in the engine room, and Iraola has few options for change at the back given his current absentees.

As a result, Dean Huijsen and James Hill should form Kepa Arrizabalaga's central barrier, while Lewis Cook and Milos Kerkez operate as the visitors' full-backs.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:

Kepa; Cook, Hill, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou is optimistic that Dominic Solanke will be fit for Sunday's Premier League fixture with Bournemouth in North London.

The former Cherries striker came off the bench against AZ Alkmaar in Thursday's Europa League match for his first appearance since recovering from the knee injury he suffered in mid-January.

However, Solanke was then withdrawn in the closing stages of that 1-0 loss after sustaining a knock in a collision with the opposing goalkeeper, but Postecoglou does not think that there is any lasting damage.

Nevertheless, it would be a surprise to see Solanke line up from the start against his former side, but Postecoglou could still consider an attacking alteration after a toothless display in the Netherlands.

Wilson Odobert will put his hand up for a start on the left-hand side, potentially in place of Mathys Tel as Postecoglou shifts captain Son Heung-min to the central striker's role.

Brennan Johnson's spot on the right will be safe thanks to Dejan Kulusevski's foot injury, as should Rodrigo Bentancur's place in midfield ahead of his Europa League ban for the second leg of their last-16 tie with AZ.

Lucas Bergvall should not be dropped on account of his own goal alone, but the need for fresh legs could see Pape Sarr enter the engine room, while Pedro Porro is also set for a defensive recall.

Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have been given the green light to play too, but substitute appearances are more likely for the duo, meaning no respite for Kevin Danso and Archie Gray at the back.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Gray, Danso, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Son, Odobert

Seeking to snap another morale-sapping two-game losing run, Tottenham Hotspur take on Premier League top-four outsiders Bournemouth in North London on Sunday afternoon.

The Lilywhites' Europa League adventure is on the brink of ending after their 1-0 last-16 first-leg loss to AZ Alkmaar, while the Cherries are riding high on the back of reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Match preview

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Following 90 minutes of continental action next Thursday evening, Ange Postecoglou may no longer be able to proudly claim that he always wins trophies in his second year at a particular job, as the Lilywhites were found wanting and then some in the Netherlands when AZ welcomed them to the AFAS Stadion.

Lucas Bergvall's sliced clearance ended up looping into the far side of the net as the Eredivisie outfit gleaned a slice of revenge for their 1-0 league-phase loss to the Lilywhites, who were also slain by the same scoreline in their most recent Premier League outing.

Indeed, Erling Haaland's goal settled the blockbuster Spurs vs. Manchester City top-flight tie in the champions' favour, ending Tottenham's three-game victorious run in the Premier League and leaving them in an unlucky 13th place in the top-flight standings.

Unlucky would certainly be the word Postecoglou might use to describe his side's injury situation this season, but mediocrity rather than misfortune was the key factor in Thursday's defeat, and home has not been where the heart is for the Lilywhites in recent weeks either.

The narrow beating at the hands of Man City means that Tottenham have now won just one of their last nine Premier League contests in front of their own fans - losing six of them - and defeat on Sunday would see them lose eight Premier League home matches for the first time in a 38-game season.

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From a team that has already lost seven Premier League home games this term to one seeking their seventh top-flight win on the road, Bournemouth are also still on the hunt for a slice of silverware this season after holding their nerve from 12 yards against Wolves in the FA Cup fifth round.

There was little time for the Cherries to capitalise on Matheus Cunha's meltdown and subsequent red card in the last stages of extra time, but Andoni Iraola witnessed Matt Doherty and Boubacar Traore fluff their lines from the penalty spot before the quarter-final celebrations began.

Rewarded for their progression with a daunting last-eight clash against tournament favourites Manchester City, Bournemouth's shootout success was the perfect tonic to a Premier League drop-off, which has seen the Cherries lose three of their last four top-flight games and both of their last two.

Having fallen short against Liverpool, Wolves and most recently Brighton & Hove Albion, Iraola's seventh-placed men have fallen four points adrift of the Champions League positions, but Justin Kluivert's consolation at the Amex at least stretched their Premier League away scoring sequence to a terrific 10 games.

Sunday's visitors could complete their first-ever league double over Spurs should they maintain that hot streak, having prevailed 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium in December, although six of Bournemouth's last seven Premier League away games versus Tottenham have seen them fall to defeat.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Bournemouth Premier League form:

Bournemouth form (all competitions):

Team News

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Just 20 minutes into his comeback appearance following a knee injury on Thursday night, Spurs marksman and ex-Cherries striker Dominic Solanke was substituted after taking a heavy knock in a collision with AZ goalkeeper Rome Jayden Owusu-Oduro.

However, Postecoglou stressed on Friday that the issue was nothing more serious than a "knee to the backside" and is therefore keeping his fingers crossed that Solanke will be fine to face his former club, but a start is likely out of the question.

Defensive duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero could also be in line for some minutes after making the bench in the Netherlands, while Ben Davies has not been ruled out either, but Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Richarlison (calf) and Radu Dragusin (knee) are still missing.

Bournemouth will soon welcome a key centre-back back to their ranks too, but not just yet, as Ilya Zabarnyi serves the third and final game of his suspension for his sending-off against Wolves in their Premier League loss to the Old Gold.

Zabarnyi will watch on from the sidelines alongside Enes Unal (knee), Marcos Senesi (thigh), Julian Araujo (thigh) and Adam Smith (calf), but Iraola refused to rule out Ryan Christie (groin) in his pre-game press conference.

The Cherries should be working with a largely identical squad from their cup success over Wolves, though, and Kluivert is sure to come back into the XI as he endeavours to build on a terrific record of 10 Premier League strikes away from home already this season.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Gray, Danso, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Johnson, Son, Odobert

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:

Kepa; Cook, Hill, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Bournemouth

Expect a clinic in high-pressing between Spurs and Bournemouth, who rank second and first respectively in pressures resulting in a turnover in the final third in the current Premier League season.

While Postecoglou's men do have our backing to stop the rot, Bournemouth ought to capitalise on the Lilywhites' European fatigue to leave with a share of the points.

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