Pete’s Picks – Sunday’s Live GAA Analysis & Tips

Meath are odds-on favourites to progress to a fourth consecutive Leinster SFC final and the Royal County should dispose of Westmeath at Croke Park.

Meath v Westmeath, Football, RTE, 2pm
Mick O’Dowd’s side are 2/5 in the match-betting market and even-money -3.

Meath hammered the same opposition 4-10 to 0-11 in the National Football League Division 2 last March and O’Dowd’s men only missed out on promotion to the top-flight because of a marginally inferior scoring difference to Roscommon. Therefore their position as favourites is, and probably will be, justified.

Nevertheless, and even though Westmeath finished second from bottom in the second-tier, their confidence levels will have been boosted from their two Championship matches played so far.

Tom Cribbin’s outfit registered 3-14 and 1-21 in victories over Louth and Wexford respectively and will be hugely motivated to reach their first provincial decider in 11 seasons.
Westmeath have been installed by BoyleSports as 11/4 chances with the draw 10/1.

However, the value may be in expecting a fluid attacking encounter with goalscoring opportunities created and executed aplenty. There was, as highlighted, four majors in the league game between the sides.

Additionally, 26 goals were tallied in the 14 league matches the teams contested including 15 in Westmeath’s outings. Furthermore, nine goals have been accounted for in the three Championship games the counties have been involved in so far and so the statistics paint a picture of a potentially frantic clash offensively.

Also, as Meath are given the nod to prevail, Andrew Tormey could be a live runner in the RTÉ Man of the Match market.

Tormey was superb as Meath overcame Wicklow in the previous round scoring 1-9 (1-0 penalty, 0-7 frees, 0-1 45).

Pete’s Picks
Total Match Goals Over 2.5 @ Evs
Andrew Tormey Man of the Match @ 9/1

Dublin v Kildare, Football, RTÉ, 4pm
On a day when it would be best advised to play conservatively as the layers seem to have their various match-betting-related markets accurately pitched, Dean Rock can provide value as a potential MVP as Dublin seek yet another Leinster SFC final-placing.

Kildare are the opponents of Jim Gavin’s Metropolitans at Croke Park and the Ballymun Kickhams’ player could have a significant influence on proceedings. Rock has been Dublin’s most consistent performer, certainly from an attacking perspective thus far in 2015.

Another major display against Jason Ryan’s Lilywhites might put him front and centre of the Boys in Blues’ charge for Sam Maguire in the eyes of the media and public alike.

With that in mind, and given Dublin are merely 5/4 for All-Ireland success, Rock seems grossly overpriced at 33/1 to be selected as the GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year.

If Dublin land September silverware, Rock will surely be on the three-man shortlist at the very least and is therefore outrageous value at such odds. He may out-shine Diarmuid Connolly et al despite Kildare’s attempts to nullify him.

Pete’s Picks
Dean Rock Man of the Match @ 12/1
Dean Rock Footballer of the Year @ 33/1

*Prices correct at time of publication.