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Posted By Admin On March 7th, 2025

Paul Merson believes that Tottenham are one of the four favourites to win the Europa League, as Ange Postecoglou’s side prepare to take on AZ Alkmaar in the round of 16 first leg.

Tottenham finished fourth in the new league phase format after winning five and drawing two of their eight matches. That meant that Spurs booked an automatic place for the last 16 and avoided a two-legged play-off tie in February – something that could have been disastrous considering their injury situation.

After the eight play-off ties concluded, Tottenham were drawn up against AZ, who beat Galatasaray to reach this stage of the competition, in the round of 16. Spurs have already played AZ once this season, having beaten their Dutch opponents 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the league phase.

Merson feels that Spurs are going to have enough to progress past AZ and go far in the competition, with Postecoglou’s men labelled as one of the four favourites to win the Europa League.

Speaking ahead of Spurs’ trip to Alkmaar, Merson told Sky Sports: “If you look at the Europa League, Tottenham, Lyon, Athletic Bilbao and Lazio are the four teams to win it.

“Tottenham have got a chance if they can get their players fit but they’ve got to get through AZ Alkmaar. Tottenham are a team where you’ve just got to make sure you’re not out of it.

“I watched AZ Alkmaar the other week at Galatasaray in the second leg – they’ve got some pace up front and they were electric up front. They blew Galatasaray away and Galatasaray were fortunate to get a 2-2 draw.