La Liga's Real Sociedad will welcome Belgian outfit Anderlecht to Reale Arena on Thursday for the second match of the Europa League main draw.

Real Sociedad began the league phase with a draw against Nice, while Anderlecht took maximum points from their home meeting with Ferencvaros.

Match preview

Real Sociedad are preparing to play their first European home match since losing 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of March's Champions League last-16 tie.

La Real have had to settle for a Europa League appearance this time around following their sixth-placed finish in La Liga last season.

Imanol Alguacil's side began their European campaign with a battling display in the South of France last week, with Ander Barrenetxea scoring an 18th-minute opener in a 1-1 draw against Nice.

While Real Sociedad would have been content with an away point, the result did extend their winless run to six matches in all competitions.

Fortunately for La Real, they ended their wait for a precious victory in Saturday's home league game against Valencia, with Take Kubo finding the net before Orri Oskarsson came off the bench to register a late brace and wrap up a commanding 3-0 victory.

After claiming their first home win of the season, the Basque club will be targeting another strong home performance in their first meeting with Anderlecht in UEFA competition.

Anderlecht are competing in the Europa League main draw for the first time since 2018-19 after they qualified for the playoff round via last season's third-placed finish.

The Purple & White secured their spot in the league phase with a 2-0 aggregate victory over Belarusian champions Dinamo Minsk.

They are now hoping to enjoy a successful league phase as they look to progress to the Europa League knockout rounds for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in 2016-17.

Anderlecht's produced a positive result in their first match of the main draw, with Yari Verschaeren and Kasper Dolberg scoring a goal apiece to fire their side to a 2-1 home win over Ferencvaros.

That result has proven to be David Hubert's only win in his three games as interim boss, having seen his first two league matches finish all square.

As a result, Anderlecht have won just one of their previous six competitive matches, but as they turn their focus to a trip to Spain, they can take confidence from the fact that they have avoided defeat in all five of their away games this season.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Odriozola, Zubeldia, Pacheco, Munoz; Kubo, Mendez, Zubimendi, Turrientes, Barrenetxea; Oskarsson

Anderlecht possible starting lineup:

Coosemans; Sardella, Simic, Zanka, N'Diaye; Verschaeren, Dendoncker, Stroeykens; Edozie, Dreyer, Dolberg