Tony Kelshaw 
Villarreal are firmly on course to continue Spain’s proud Europa League record after returning from Croatia with a 1-0 advantage over Dinamo Zagreb. The Yellow Submarines put in a professional display to prevail in that opening encounter and it is hard to see a way back into this tie for their opponents.
Chelsea return to Sevilla for the second leg of their Champions League clash with Porto in a commanding position after winning the first encounter 2-0. The Blues dominated possession and were rarely threatened at the back, so it is hard to see them not booking a spot in the semi-finals on that evidence.
For each of the four biggest US sports, we’ve picked out five of the most shocking draft picks and surprising trades of all-time. Such decisions can make or break an NFL, MLB, NBA or NHL franchise for years to follow and opinions are often divided on who will come out best from major moves.
West Brom and Southampton go into Monday evening’s Premier League clash at The Hawthorns on the back of high-scoring victories. Albion pulled of an amazing 5-2 upset at Chelsea last time out while Saints produced a fabulous fightback to beat Burnley 3-2 on home turf.
Sheffield United are doomed to relegation but may see Arsenal’s visit to Bramall Lane as their best chance to claim a notable scalp before going down. The Blades took four points off the Gunners last term and gave them a good test in a narrow loss at Emirates Stadium earlier this season.
We’ve got seven selections from Ashley Iveson for day three of the Grand National Festival, as we conclude our Aintree tips. There are three more Grade One contests at the Liverpool spectacular, but it is the world’s most famous steeplechase which will take centre stage on Merseyside once again.
Watford have set their sights on an immediate return to the Premier League, having won all their games in March and their Good Friday clash with Sheff Wed. The Hornets’ six-match winning run was only ended last weekend when Middlesbrough scored 12 minutes from time to earn a 1-1 draw.
Watford can edge closer to securing automatic promotion from the Championship by winning at Middlesbrough, as well as putting pressure on Norwich in the title race. The Hornets are chasing a seventh straight victory while Boro’s top-six hopes have been rocked by losses either side of the international break.
Sheffield United may be resigned to relegation but Yorkshire pride should spur them on when visiting Leeds in Saturday’s Premier League derby. There has been only one goal between these teams in their last five meetings and another close encounter could be on the cards at Elland Road.
Chelsea are expected to continue Thomas Tuchel’s unbeaten run by brushing aside Premier League strugglers West Brom at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have registered 10 wins and four draws from his 14 games in charge, impressively keeping a clean sheet in a dozen of those fixtures.
Swansea’s Championship promotion push has suffered a bit of a blip but they are fancied to get back on track when visiting Birmingham. The Swans have been beaten by fellow top-six hopefuls Bournemouth and Cardiff but should find the relegation-threatened Blues more conducive company.
Republic of Ireland’s international friendly versus Qatar in Hungary has taken on added significance since their embarrassing loss to Luxembourg. There will be no World Cup qualifying points at stake here, but reputations are on the line following such a low point in Stephen Kenny’s winless reign.
Man Utd remain the only English team to have claimed Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies in the same season, but Man City are 9/2 to land the same Treble bet. The Blues won all three major domestic competitions two years ago and will now try to also conquer Europe for the first time.
Dillian Whyte will be gunning for revenge and the WBC interim heavyweight title when taking on Alexander Povetkin again in Gibraltar. The Londoner was left stunned when suffering a fifth-round knockout in their first clash last August, but is expected to learn from his mistakes in the rematch.