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Key matches for Spanish sides in Europa League

Xinhua, November 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

Three Spanish clubs are in Europa League action on Thursday night with key matches as they look to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

After defeats in their two away matches to date, Athletic Club Bilbao have a must win game at home to Belgian outfit, Genk.

The Basques will look for revenge for the 2-0 defeat they suffered in Belgium a fortnight ago in possibly their worst performance of the season.

Coach Ernesto Valverde has a full squad to choose from and will hope the return of young central defender Yeray and veteran striker Aritz Aduriz after ankle injuries will give his team the edge.

Villarreal may have seen an 11-game unbeaten run come to an end away to Eibar on Sunday, but a home win against Turkish side Osmanlispor would keep the side coached by Fran Escriba in the driving seat of Group L.

Villarreal's success this season has been based on a solid defense, although the return of Cedric Bakambu to the club's attack after an early season injury has helped to add pace and firepower, which should be too much for their rivals to cope with on Thursday.

Celta Vigo are second in group G, but face a difficult trip to Amsterdam to play group leaders Ajax.

The Dutch side are no longer the giants of European football they used to be but showed a fortnight ago in Vigo they still have the capacity to hurt Celta, who twice came from behind in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Celta need to avoid defeat in their trip to the Netherlands if they are to have a realistic chance of finishing top of their group. Enditem