ARMAGH'S refusal to speak to local or national press in the build-up to this game calls to mind a great scene in The Godfather when Vito Corleone reprimanded his son, Sonny for "going soft in the head".
Sonny's mistake? The eldest son had revealed what the family thought about a business proposition. The Godfather was disgusted.
He scolded Sonny. "Never tell anyone outside the family what you're thinking again," said The Godfather.
Ironically, by not talking to the media, Armagh have broadcast to everyone exactly what they are thinking.
Obviously, Armagh's management are trying to create a siege mentality. Angered by the suspension of three players following the fracas in the Athletic Grounds, they are following the age-old ritual of fostering an 'us against the world' environment.
It can be an effective strategy, more so when the simmering resentment is camouflaged. Earlier this week, Brian McGuigan revealed that Mickey Harte often used this tactic when Tyrone received suspensions which they deemed unfair.
McGuigan said Harte "got the boys fired up by saying that the authorities were against them, the country was against them, that the whole world was against them".
The difference with Tyrone was that no one knew what they thinking. In 2005, Tyrone continued to hold press nights, and the management and players spoke to journalists. The anger and frustration was bottled up and unleashed on their unsuspecting opponents.
In contrast, Armagh's anger isn't a secret. Monaghan know what to expect this evening. Armagh will come out like caged lions. But the Farney county have been forewarned. They will know to have their whips at the ready.
Still, this has the potential to be a tricky assignment for Monaghan. Today's game represents a major role reversal for them. For this particular derby contest, they are normally cast as the plucky underdogs. All the expectation is usually heaped on Armagh.
But those conditions no longer apply. When these teams met in the League, Monaghan won by 10 points. In terms of form, the counties appear to be heading in different directions.
In next year's League, Monaghan will be competing in Division One while Armagh will find themselves in Division Three.
However, Longford's victory over Derry last weekend has provided Monaghan with a sharp reminder that anything can happen in the Championship.
Notwithstanding the psychological dimension to this contest, if Monaghan can cope with the burden of favouritism, they should win this match with a few points to spare.
In terms of talent and achievement, Monaghan boss Malachy O'Rourke has few peers. When the Derrylin man steered the Loup to an Ulster club title in 2003, it was clear that he was a manager of real substance.
Having studied Armagh's victory over Cavan, O'Rourke will appreciate the tactical challenges that face his team.
While Armagh were strong and resilient in defence, their counterattacking system was extremely effective. Using Kevin Dyas as an outlet, Armagh repeatedly targeted the Dromintee man. Dyas exploited the space on the wings that was created by Armagh's half-forwards who retreated into defence.
In a man-of-the-match performance, Dyas won a glut of possession and setup countless attacks. But there is no chance that Dyas will enjoy the same freedom t o d a y .
O ' R o u r k e is too smart a m a n a g e r.
He will not allow lightning to strike twice.
For starters, Vinny Corey is an experienced centre half-back and he will make life much tougher for Dyas. Secondly, if Monaghan's wingbacks hold their positions, they will deny Dyas the space he was granted in The Athletic Grounds.
If Monaghan nullify Dyas, then a huge gun will have been removed from Armagh's artillery. And if Dyas can't link defence and attack, Armagh will be forced to playing a running game.
Penetrating Monaghan's defence with ball runners isn't easy. Tyrone tried, and more often than not, they failed.
Furthermore, if Armagh are forced to run the ball from defence, it will give Monaghan the time they need to set up a barricade around Jamie Clarke.
Given that Clarke will be manmarked by Allstar Colin Walshe, the Crossmaglen star already faces a difficult task. If tracked by Walshe and surrounded by a blanket defence, Clarke's job will be nigh impossible.
Tyrone's full-forward line of Ronan O'Neill, Stephen
O'Neill and Darren McCurry managed the grand total of 0-2 from play against Monaghan's full-back line. Clarke has it all to do.
Against Cavan, Armagh's defence looked impressive.
H a v i n g a b s o r b e d the lessons from the previous year's defeat in Breffni Park, they packed the scoring zone with bodies. Unable to kick early passes into Eugene Keating, Cavan failed to make any headway against Armagh's wall of orange.
Nevertheless, it's worth stressing that Cavan's attacking play was awful. There was no purpose or method.
It was all too easy for Armagh. Monaghan's forward line will not be so easy to contain. In Kieran Hughes (below) and Conor McManus, the Ulster champions have two excellent forwards.
Although Monaghan are a competent attacking force, they should be slightly concerned about their reliance on free-kicks. In the first half against Tyrone, five of their eight points came from placed kicks. With a less sympathetic referee, they will need a greater return from play.
Overall though, Monaghan should get the necessary scores. Kieran Hughes and Conor McManus can be expected to prosper against an Armagh defence that will be weakened by the absence of Brendan Donaghy and Andy Mallon.
Things are happening for Monaghan. In Malachy O'Rourke, they have an accomplished manager who speaks but never gives anything away.
And in his own understated and unassuming fashion, O'Rourke usually gets the job done.
Under O'Rourke, Monaghan secured their first Ulster title in 25 years. In their last outing, they recorded their first win over Tyrone in 26 years.
If Monaghan beat Armagh today, they will have reached successive Ulster finals for the first time since 1943-1944 (when they lost both).
Another slice of history beckons.