Analysis: Important Europa League games for Basque duo on Thursday

MADRID, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Athletic Club Bilbao and Real Sociedad return to Europa League action on Thursday with two key games.

Real Sociedad play Maccabi Tel-Aviv in a match that has been moved from Tel Aviv to Belgrade due to the ongoing conflict involving Israel.

Real Sociedad have only one point from their opening day draw away to Nice and desperately need a win to keep their hopes of finishing the group stage of the competition intact.

Imanol Alguacil's side took a much-needed win in La Liga away to Girona at the weekend and in theory Maccabi are one of the weakest sides in the tournament after losing their two opening games.

Goalkeeper Alex Remiro is a doubt for Imanol after landing badly and hurting his knee in Girona. Although tests have ruled out any serious injury, Remiro didn't train on Tuesday and has to be considered a doubt.

Athletic entertain Slavia Prague, with the leaders of the Czech league, traveling to Bilbao supported by around 2,000 supporters.

They will find morale sky high at the home side after a 4-1 thrashing of Espanyol at the weekend to keep them fifth in La Liga.

Athletic have a win and a draw from their opening Europa League games and another win would probably lift them into the top-eight.

Coach Ernesto Valverde has warned of Slavia's potential after they held FC Barcelona to a 0-0 draw in the Camp Nou during his spell in charge at the Catalan club, but with midfielder Oihan Sancet returning after a hamstring injury and Yeray Alvarez also available, he has a full squad to choose from and the ease of Saturday's win meant he was able to rest key players, such as Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Yuri and Nico Williams for Thursday's game. ■