Jonty’s picks

Kazakhstani side Astana host Spain’s Villarreal this evening in a battle for top spot in Group A of the 2017/18 Uefa Europa League.

Villarreal can confirm their place in the next round of the competition with a game to spare with a win at Astana, a side they beat 3-1 on Matchday 1 on September 14. Since then, however, Astana have moved within a point of Villarreal, with two good wins over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Villarreal are currently on eight points, one clear of Astana and three clear of Sparta Prague, the other side who could make it through as one of the top two in Group A.

I expect Astana to use home advantage to get a huge win this evening.

Pool Name - S6 V1 P1 M1:

FC Astana v Villarreal. Previewed above. Astana win = 1 Athletic Bilbao v Hertha Berlin. Home success. Athletic win = 1 FC Koln v Arsenal. Arsenal on the up. Arsenal win = 3 Lazio v Vitesse. Italian triumph. Lazio win = 1 Rosenborg v Real Sociedad. An away day. Sociedad win = 3 Everton v Atalanta. Spoils shared.

Draw = 2

TIP: M2: TIP: M3: TIP: M4: TIP: M5: TIP: M6: TIP: Bet on this pool and TAB’s other football pools – go to

and click on the Hot Tips of the Day/Place Your Bet Now link to open a betting account with TAB. We’ll make it easy for you to start cashing in on your football knowledge.