Football

Dublin bid to keep unbeaten League record as Clare travel to Croke Park

Dessie Farrell's Dublin host Clare at Croke Park on Saturday evening
Dessie Farrell's Dublin host Clare at Croke Park on Saturday evening Dessie Farrell's Dublin host Clare at Croke Park on Saturday evening

ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE

SATURDAY

DIVISION ONE

Kerry v Armagh (Fitzgerald Stadium, 5pm, live on RTÉ2)

Odds: H: 2/5 D: 15/2 A: 5/2

Verdict: Kerry

Mayo v Tyrone (Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 7pm, live on TG4)

Odds: H: 1/2 D: 15/2 A: 2/1

Verdict: Mayo

DIVISION TWO

Dublin v Clare (Croke Park, 7pm)

THE Dubs are locked together at the top of Division Two with Derry, both counties with three wins from three. Dubin haven’t set the world alight so far yet, though, with Kildare and Cork pushing them all the way.

However, the return of Jack McCaffrey for last weekend’s win in Páirc Uí Chaoimh showed that Dessie Farrell’s men are slowly transitioning back to full strength.

Clare have been unable to build on their opening win over Louth, losing to Meath and Kildare in their next two outings.

Despite defeat to the Lilywhites, they currently sit above them in the table on points difference. Their final game against Limerick is likely to have a bigger bearing on their survival in the division than this trip to Croke Park, which is very much a free hit for them, albeit one they’re likely to miss.

Odds: H: 1/14 D: 16/1 A: 15/2

Verdict: Dublin

DIVISION THREE

Antrim v Fermanagh (Corrigan Park, 2pm)

Odds H: 3/2 D: 13/2 A: 8/11

Verdict Fermanagh

Down v Westmeath (Pairc Esler, 6pm)

Odds: H: 10/11 D: 13/2 A: 6/5

Verdict: Down

DIVISION FOUR

Waterford v Wexford (Fraher Field, 4pm)

WINLESS Waterford welcome a resurgent Wexford to Dungarvan. The Yellowbellies scored their first win of the campaign against previously table-topping Leitrim last time out and should collect another two points against the Munster men.

Mark Rossiter and Darragh Brooks did most of the damage as they came with a late surge to overcome Andy Moran’s men and that pair can fill their boots against a Déise side that has shipped an average of just over 20 points a game in their three outings so far.

Odds H: 4/1 D: 9/1 A: 2/9

Verdict Wexford

Laois v Wicklow (Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 7pm)

LAOIS will look to take a further step towards promotion when they host Oisin McConville’s Wicklow. Despite boasting a 100 per cent record, manager Billy Sheehan will be looking for an improved performance from the O’Moore men following their win over Carlow last weekend, which saw them have two men red-carded and Paul Kingston kick 1-10.

Odds H: 1/6 D: 11/1 A: 5/1

Verdict Laois

SUNDAY

DIVISION ONE

Donegal v Galway (O’Donnell Park, 12.30pm, live on TG4)

Odds: H: 15/8 D: 7/1 A: 4/7

Verdict: Galway

Monaghan v Roscommon (St Tiernach’s Park, 2.30pm, live on TG4 App; deferred coverage on TG4)

Odds: H: 11/10 D: 13/2 A: 1/1

Verdict: Roscommon

DIVISION TWO

Kildare v Derry (St Conleth’s Park, 2pm, live on BBC iPlayer)

Odds: H: 5/2 D: 15/2 A: 2/5

Verdict: Derry

Meath v Louth (Pairc Tailteann, 2pm)

MEATH endured a chastening defeat to pace-setters Derry last weekend and will look to bounce back against Louth. The result brought Colm O’Rourke’s honeymoon period to a shuddering halt after two wins from their opening two games and rediscovering the spark against a steadily improving Louth team is by no means a given.

Mickey Harte’s men followed up an encouraging display in defeat to Derry with their first win against Limerick last weekend and won’t let their neighbours off lightly. There’ll be little in it and we could see a share of the spoils

Odds: H: 4/11 D: 15/2 A: 11/4

Verdict: Draw

Cork v Limerick (Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 3.45pm)

THE Rebels will take encouragement from their defeat to Dublin last weekend and can get some valuable points on the board against their visiting Munster rivals.

Limerick have lost all three matches to date and look to be on the brink of a swift return to Division Three.

Odds: H: 1/8 D: 14/1 A: 11/2

Verdict: Cork

DIVISION THREE

Longford v Tipperary (Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 2pm)

DESPITE storming to promotion along with Cavan last year, Tipperary’s fortunes could not be more different from the Breffnimen. While last year’s Division Four champions have three wins from three, Tipp have an unwanted 100 per cent record having lost all three games.

Longford are in the same boat, so something has got to give on Sunday at Pearse Park. Tipp’s slightly greatest scoring return may give them the edge.

Odds H: 4/5 D: 13/2 A: 11/8

Verdict Tipperary

DIVISION FOUR

London v Sligo (Ruislip, 1pm)

SLIGO have recorded back-to-back wins following an opening defeat to pace-setters Laois and a trip to London should give Tony McEntee’s men the opportunity to further enhance their promotion credentials.

Odds: H: 9/2 D: 10/1 A: 1/5

Verdict: Sligo

Leitrim v Carlow (Avant Money Páirc Sean Mac Diarmada, 2pm)

LEITRIM will look to bounce back from their first defeat of the campaign against Wexford last time out. Carlow’s loss to Laois last weekend was also their first defeat, but home advantage and the scoring of Keith Beirne may just swing it for Andy Moran’s men.

Odds: H: 2/7 D: 8/1 A: 10/3

Verdict: Leitrim