ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE ROUND SEVEN

DIVISION ONE (Sunday, 1.45pm)

Galway v Kerry (Pearse Stadium)

IN simple terms, this looks to be a straight shoot-out to decide who qualifies for the final next weekend, with Mayo already filling one of the two slots. It’s a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final and both teams will be eager to get another game under their belts before the Championship. Galway will be eyeing up some national silverware and a chance to prove the progress they’ve made under Padraic Joyce and underline their status as one of the top teams in the country.

Kerry are likely to breeze through the Munster Championship as usual, so another outing in Croke Park against quality opposition would do them no harm.

Odds H: 5/4 D: 7/1 A: 5/6

Verdict Galway

Mayo v Monaghan (Hastings Insurance MacHale Park)

Odds H: 2/3 D: 15/2 A: 3/2

Verdict Mayo

Roscommon v Donegal (Dr Hyde Park)

CAN Donegal circle the wagons and summon the energy to end their campaign on a high? It would be a serious turnaround given the week, and months, they’ve just put in. Aidan O’Rourke is in charge of the team, along with Paddy Bradley following the resignation of Paddy Carr and the pair will want their tenure to get off to a decent start. Mathematically, Donegal can still cling on to their status, but it would take an unlikely set of results. Roscommon will be keen to finish with a win and take some confidence and momentum into the Connacht Championship.

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

Verdict Roscommon

Tyrone v Armagh (O’Neills Healy Park)

Odds H: 8/11 D: 15/2 A: 11/8

Verdict Tyrone

DIVISION TWO (Sunday, 2pm)

Clare v Limerick (Cusack Park)

PRIDE and passion are all that’s at stake in Cusack Park as both Clare and Limerick already know their fate heading into the final round of games.

The Banner county were finally relegated from Division Two after a number of years of defying expectations, while it’s no surprise Limerick tumbled right back down to Division Three.

Clare will be tuning up their preparations for the Championship, where they face Cork in the opening round, with Limerick awaiting the winner in the semi-final. Colm Collins’ men look to have too much here, and home advantage should see them over the line.

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

Verdict Clare 

Cork v Derry (Páirc Uí Chaoimh)

DERRY have the opportunity to put the feet up this weekend, rest and recover, and prime themselves for the Division Two final against either Dublin or Louth. Rory Gallagher is likely to give some of his panel members game-time, while the likes of Shane McGuigan, Brendan Rogers and Chrissy McKaigue (right) may be rested.

Cork will be kicking themselves that they’re not in the promotion shake-up after their loss to Louth last weekend, but they can still finish on a high and give their support something to cheer about ahead of the Munster Championship.

Odds 5/6 D: 7/1 A: 5/4

Verdict Cork

Dublin v Louth (Croke Park)

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

Verdict Dublin

Kildare v Meath (St Conleth’s Park)

WHO has had the most disappointing season, Kildare or Meath? Both have had pretty shocking campaigns but this game will provide an opportunity to turn a corner, draw a line in the sand and start again, for the winner at least. Kildare’s home form hasn’t been great so the fact the game is in Newbridge won’t offer Glenn Ryan much heart, while Meath haven’t won a game since round two and are coming in off the back of a drubbing by their old foes Dublin. 

Still, Colm O’Rourke may be able to get a tune out of his Royal charges and a win away to Kildare would be a good end to the campaign.

Odds H: 8/13 D: 15/2 A: 13/8

Verdict Meath

DIVISION THREE  (Sunday, 2pm)

Cavan v Fermanagh (Kingspan Breffni)

Odds H: 4/5 D: 11/2 A: 3/2

Verdict Fermanagh 

Longford v Antrim (Glennon Bros Pearse Park)

ANTRIM head into this game off the back of their biggest result of the season following their eye-catching two-point win over Mickey Graham’s unbeaten Cavan side. It was the bit of fortune that the Saffrons deserved under Andy McEntee as they lost out harshly on a number of occasions this year.

Longford are heading for the basement division and Paddy Christie’s men, despite starting the year in good form by winning the O’Byrne Cup, have nothing to play for here and that might show when they take the field.

Antrim have Armagh in the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship and all eyes will be cast towards that.

Odds H: 11/8 D: 15/2 A: 8/11

Verdict Antrim

Offaly v Down (Glenisk O’Connor Park)

OFFALY have to win, Down don’t. That’s probably the best way to sum up this game and when all is said and done, it could have that feel to the game. Offaly must overcome Conor Laverty’s men and hope Cavan see off Fermanagh to be in with a chance to bounce right back up to Division Two.

Down, no matter what happens over the weekend, are out of the promotion running due to their head-to-head record with both Cavan and Fermanagh, so essentially, they have nothing to play for. 

While Down won’t lie down for anyone, Offaly’s want will be greater and that could decide the game.

Odds H: 2/3 D: 15/2 A: 3/2

Verdict Offaly

Westmeath v Tipperary (TEG Cusack Park)

WESTMEATH have already entered the race for Sam Maguire following their exploits in the Tailteann Cup last season. That guarantee has perhaps been reflected in their League performances as Dessie Dolan’s side didn’t have the impact on Division Three that many would have expected.

Tipperary, similarly, have had an underwhelming season, losing Michael Quinlivan before a ball was kicked before their star man Conor Sweeney suffered the dreaded ACL injury. They’re on their way back to the bottom division and have nothing to play for as they travel to Westmeath, so the hosts should have enough to comfortably end their campaign with a victory.

Odds H: 1/7 D: 14/1 A: 5/1

Verdict Westmeath

DIVSION FOUR

Wexford v Carlow (Saturday, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 5.30pm)

IF Laois, Wicklow and Leitrim all draw, Wexford have a very outside chance of entering the promotion race, but they would need to put up a huge tally against Carlow. That’s extremely unlikely to happen, but Wexford should still win.

Odds H: 1/3 D: 8/1 A: 3/1

Verdict Wexford

Leitrim v Sligo (Sunday, Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 1pm)

BOTH teams need to win this one to secure their promotion on what is set to be a hectic day in Division Four. Sligo have made good progress under Tony McEntee and they may just have the edge here.

Odds H: 5/4 D: 7/1 A: 5/6

Verdict Sligo

London v Laois (tomorrow, Ruislip, pm)

Laois are still in with a shot of promotion, even though they’ve lost two games and while Ruislip is a tough place to go, Billy Sheehan’s side will be confident of returning home with two points in the bag.

Odds H: 9/1 D: 20/1 A: 1/20

Verdict Laois

Waterford v Wicklow (tomorrow, Fraher Field, 1pm)

Only London have earned less points than Waterford in the division and even home advantage won’t be enough to help them here. Wicklow should get the win and be right in the conversation for promotion.

Odds H: 5/1 D: 14/1 A: 1/7

Verdict Wicklow