Sports Mole

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.

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

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Arguably an unwelcome distraction to their Europa League adventure, Tottenham Hotspur must return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon, when Bournemouth visit North London.

The Lilywhites will likely already have their eye on next week's last-16 second leg with AZ Alkmaar following a 1-0 defeat in Thursday's opening encounter by virtue of a Lucas Bergvall own goal.

Indeed, it is now Europa League or bust for Ange Postecoglou's side, as they remain entrenched in the bottom half of the Premier League table following a 1-0 home loss to Manchester City last week.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Tottenham's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Bournemouth, who most recently progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Dominic Solanke

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Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Knock

Possible return date: March 9 (vs. Bournemouth)

Dominic Solanke made his first appearance since the middle of January on Thursday evening after recovering from a knee injury, but the England international lasted just 20 minutes due to a knock. Postecoglou is keeping his fingers crossed that the issue is not severe, but he may now miss out on a reunion with his former side.

Dejan Kulusevski

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Status: Out

Type of injury: Foot

Possible return date: April 3 (vs. Chelsea)

The influential Dejan Kulusevski suffered a foot injury before the defeat to AZ Alkmaar, and Postecoglou has conceded that the ex-Juventus attacker is unlikely to return before this month's international break.

Ben Davies

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Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Other

Possible return date: March 9 (vs. Bournemouth)

Postecoglou declared that Ben Davies was "close" to returning from an unspecified problem before the loss to AZ Alkmaar, but the Welshman was not involved in the Netherlands and therefore remains a serious doubt for Sunday.

Richarlison

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Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Calf

Possible return date: March 9 (vs. Bournemouth)

Richarlison was given a three-week timeline to recover from his calf problem in the middle of February, which would potentially put him on course for a return this weekend, but it would still be a surprise to see him involved.

Radu Dragusin

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Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Radu Dragusin is on the mend from the season-ending ACL operation he underwent last month, and the Romanian will not be back on the field until the latter stages of 2025.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR'S SUSPENSION LIST

Tottenham Hotspur have no suspended players for this match.

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Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has delivered an update on Dominic Solanke following his enforced withdrawal in their 1-0 Europa League loss to AZ Alkmaar.

The former Liverpool and Bournemouth striker made his first appearance since January 15 in the last-16 first-leg defeat, having previously spent several weeks out with a knee injury.

Solanke was introduced for Son Heung-min in the 72nd minute of the tie, but the England international was then taken off 20 minutes later following a collision with AZ goalkeeper Rome Jayden Owusu-Oduro.

Solanke was visibly grimacing as he left the field in injury time, sparking fears of another injury blow for Spurs' number nine immediately after his recovery from his severe knee concern.

Postecoglou was unsurprisingly questioned on Solanke's condition at full time, and while the Australian was hopeful that the Englishman had only sustained a knock, he could not say for sure.

Postecoglou unsure of Solanke injury severity

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"I am not even sure. It looks like a knock but I haven't really seen it. Hopefully nothing too bad," football.london quotes Postecoglou as saying.

During Solanke's short time on the field, the 27-year-old could not claw his side back into the game after an unfortunate Lucas Bergvall own goal gave the Dutch side the lead in the 18th minute.

The Swedish teenager's attempted clearance sliced off his shin and looped over Guglielmo Vicario, eventually nestling into the back of the net despite the best efforts of Djed Spence at the back stick.

Despite boasting 61% of the ball, Tottenham never truly looked like equalising at the AFAS Stadion, which Postecoglou attributed to a lack of aggression rather than the absence of effort from his players.

"I don't think it's a matter of effort or attitude. I don't think it is going out there and not trying, but like I said we didn't really come to grips and have the right mindset to tackle an away fixture in Europe," he added.

Tottenham suffer new suspension blow for AZ second leg

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"It is always tough and we obviously conceded the goal, which was a disappointing set of events but even after that we didn't really settle down into the game at all.

"You are going to face some pressure when you play away from home in Europe and weather the storm and get to grips with it, but we never really did so that was a disappointment."

The Lilywhites will have the chance to turn the tie around in next Thursday's second leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but they must do so without Rodrigo Bentancur, who picked up his third Europa League yellow card of the season in the Netherlands and is therefore suspended.

Either Pape Sarr or Yves Bissouma should deputise for the banned Uruguayan in the return fixture, where Spurs must better their 1-0 win over AZ from the league phase if they are to advance without the need for penalties.

Before Postecoglou's side return to European endeavours, their next Premier League fixture takes place on Sunday afternoon at home to Bournemouth.

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AZ Alkmaar secured an important advantage in the first leg of their Europa League tie with Tottenham Hotspur after a 1-0 win over the Premier League side at the AFAS Stadion.

The only goal of the game came when Troy Parrott's cross deflected in off the unfortunate Lucas Bergvall and past Guglielmo Vicario into the Tottenham net.

Spurs had their Italian goalkeeper to thank for keeping the score at 1-0 before the interval, as Parrott looked certain to score when he was clean through on goal against his former club, but Vicario made a fine save to prevent him from doing so.

The visitors offered very little going forward in the first half, but Bergvall almost made up for his own goal when a shot from distance curved just wide in opening stages of the second half.

AZ continued to push for further goals, but they had to settle for just the one in the end, leaving everything to play for next week in the return leg in London.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

This was a very disappointing night for the visitors, as they failed to register a shot on target in the first half, and in truth, AZ could have been further ahead by the break.

The hosts were positive throughout the game, and they looked more up for it than Spurs did, but they will probably regret not taking some of their chances after taking a relatively early lead.

In the end, the visitors will probably be grateful that it was only 1-0 to the hosts, leaving Tottenham with every chance of overturning the deficit next week in London.

AZ ALKMAAR VS. TOTTENHAM HIGHLIGHTS

Lucas Bergvall own goal vs. Tottenham Hotspur (18th min, AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur)

A moment to forget for the Swedish youngster, as Tottenham have fallen behind in the Netherlands to an own goal!

Peer Koopmeiners swings in a corner, and former Spurs man Parrott plays the ball back into a dangerous area, with Bergvall sticking out a leg trying to prevent any further danger - but the ball loops into the net, despite Djed Spence's efforts to prevent it from going in.

MAN OF THE MATCH - TROY PARROTT

This result will have meant a lot to him, given he started his career at Tottenham - he played his part in the goal, and was a menace throughout the game.

Parrott will likely regret not taking the chance in the first half when he had only Vicario to beat, but the Republic of Ireland international was still the best player on the pitch tonight.

AZ ALKMAAR VS. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR MATCH STATS

Possession: AZ 39%-61% Tottenham

Shots: AZ 12-7 Tottenham

Shots on target: AZ 5-1 Tottenham

Corners: AZ 7-2 Tottenham

Fouls: AZ 14-12 Tottenham

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Tottenham are back in Premier League action at the weekend, as they take on Bournemouth at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

Tottenham Hotspur travel to the Netherlands to face AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadion in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday night.

Spurs suffered a slender 1-0 Premier League defeat at home to Manchester City last week, while AZ were beaten 3-1 by Heerenveen in the Eredivisie on Sunday, and here, Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest team news for the two clubs.

AZ ALKMAAR vs. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

AZ ALKMAAR

Out: Sven Mijnans (Achilles), Jayden Addai (ankle)

Doubtful: Ruben van Bommel (unspecified), Mexx Meerdink (unspecified)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, De Wit; Clasie, Koopmeiners; Poku, Buurmeester, Lahdo; Parrott

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Antonin Kinsky, Fraser Forster, Timo Werner, Sergio Reguilon (all ineligible), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Dominic Solanke (knee), Richarlison (calf)

Doubtful: Dejan Kulusevski (foot), Micky van de Ven (thigh), Cristian Romero (thigh), Ben Davies (load management)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Spence, Gray, Danso, Udogie; Maddison, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Tel, Son

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

Tottenham Hotspur could be without 11 players for Thursday's Europa League last-16 first-leg clash with AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadion.

Dejan Kulusevski has been pictured wearing a protective boot on his left foot and is reportedly set for at least a week on the sidelines. Radu Dragusin (ACL) is a long-term absentee, while Thursday's game is set to come too soon for both Dominic Solanke (knee) and Richarlison (calf).

Ange Postecoglou has revealed that defensive duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero (both thigh) have an "outside chance" of returning against AZ as they have both taken part in training, while Ben Davies (load management) will also be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Four players who are ineligible after being left out of Spurs' Europa League squad for the knockout rounds are Antonin Kinsky, Fraser Forster, Timo Werner and Sergio Reguilon. The absence of the former two all but confirms that Guglielmo Vicario will continue between the sticks.

If Van de Ven and Romero are not fit to start, then Archie Gray and Kevin Danso are expected to resume their centre-back partnership, while Postecoglou will weigh up whether to start Pedro Porro or in-form Djed Spence at right-back as Destiny Udogie operates at left-back.

Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma will both be pushing to start in centre-midfield after beginning as substitutes in last week's 1-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City. Bissouma could replace Rodrigo Bentancur in the deep-lying role, while Sarr may start ahead of either Lucas Bergvall or James Maddison.

Like Danso, fellow January signing Mathys Tel has been added to Tottenham's Europa League squad and he is in contention to start in attack with Brennan Johnson and Son Heung-min, who has scored seven major European knockout goals for Spurs; only Dimitar Berbatov (12) has scored more for the club this century.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup: Vicario; Spence, Gray, Danso, Udogie; Maddison, Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Tel, Son

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