Dublin v Tyrone: The Racing Post’s picks for the All-Ireland final

Second half to be the highest scoring

Verdict: The feature of Tyrone’s voyage to the All-Ireland final has been their strong finishes. They looked in deep trouble against Donegal in the last round of the Super 8s round-robin series but tore apart their Ulster rivals in the final quarter, turning a three-point loss heading into the final 15 minutes into a seven-point success.

They also swooped late, thanks to a Niall Sludden goal, to beat Monaghan and it has been a recurring theme of Mickey Harte’s side in 2018.

Combine that with Harte not wanting lightning to strike twice and at pains not to concede an early goal and it seems logical to think that the second half will be the highest scoring half at a very generous 4/6 with Paddy Power.

Man of the match – Jack McCaffrey

Verdict: With Tyrone sure to try bottle up Dublin’s inside forward line, it could play into the hands of runners from deep and there is no finer runner from deep than the exceptional Jack McCaffrey.

He has been simmering nicely all season but expect Jim Gavin to give him license to surge forward at every opportunity on Sunday.

He looks cracking value at 10/1 to win the coveted RTE Man of the Match award given the amount of possession he is likely to have.

Tyrone (+6)

Verdict: The Tyrone team of 2018 is much more physical than the Tyrone team of 2017. They were blitzed by 12 points in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final but do not expect this game to follow a similar script.

Dublin win finals, they don’t showboat in them. They get the job done. Their last four All-Ireland final wins have been by a point, three points, a point and a point. Expect a tight, uncompromising affair and Dublin to sneak it by the odd point.

Given the way Tyrone have been performing this year it is hard to envisage the Dubs winning by seven points or more, so back Tyrone with a six-point headstart in the handicap.