Meath v Tyrone, Pairc Tailteann, Saturday 5pm
Over 32.5 points – 5/6
Meath might be in decline, but they have scored 14 points or more in all of their National League and Championship outings at Pairc Tailteann in the last two years.
Indeed, they have averaged 19.55 points per game at home since 2017 and even when an ultra-defensive Donegal outfit arrived in Navan in last year’s Qualifiers, they notched 1-14 despite suffering a minimum margin defeat.
For all that Tyrone have been tormented in the media for their negative approach, Mickey Harte’s men averaged 21.2 points per game in last year’s All-Ireland series and they were also the joint second top scorers behind Dublin in Division 1 this spring, averaging 16.3 points per game.
This first round Qualifier could develop into a high-scoring shoot-out, so the advice is to take the 5/6 with Paddy Power about 33 or more match points.
Selection: Over 32.5 points
Kilkenny v Wexford, Nowlan Park, Saturday 7pm
Wexford to win – 11/4
Kilkenny and Wexford fight for a place in the Leinster Final on Saturday evening in Nowlan Park and it’s sure to be a rip-roaring battle.
The Leinster Championship has failed to hit the heights of the Munster Championship so far, with Galway a step above everyone else, but the battle for second spot is a tight one.
These sides have had very similar campaigns with both having close calls with Dublin, comfortable victories over Offaly, and poor defeats to Galway. While Kilkenny have had the luxury of a week off coming into this game, Wexford didn’t turn up at all against The Tribesmen so they have a huge point to prove this weekend.
Davy Fitzgerald said last Saturday that if he was a betting man, he’d “have his house on Kilkenny”, but the Clare man is well known for his mind games and his side look like value.
Selection: Wexford to beat Kilkenny
Tipperary v Clare, Semple Stadium, Sunday 2pm
Clare to win – 17/10
Clare have had their feet up off to prepare for this clash at Semple Stadium and they face a Tipperary side entering their fourth game in as many weeks.
Tipp have recovered from nine and 11-point deficits in their last two games to grab a draw in both, but they really rode their luck against Waterford last Sunday.
An incredible decision from an umpire handed The Premier County a goal during their resurrection, and while those comebacks must be admired, fatigue has to be an issue at this stage for Michael Ryan’s side.
The Banner County opened their campaign with a loss to Cork, but were ultra-impressive in dismissing Waterford with ease two-weeks ago.
Tony Kelly and John Conlon hit 1-9 from play between them and if Clare can supply their full-forward line of Conlon, Conor McGrath and Shane O’Donnell with quality ball, they can cause huge trouble for the Tipperary defence.
Selection: Clare to beat Tipperary
Head over to PaddyPower.com for the latest GAA odds* All odds correct at time of posting.