Armagh v Down Prediction, Preview & Odds – Ulster Championship
We have an Armagh v Down prediction along with the betting odds for you ahead of their clash in the Ulster Semi-Final Sunday evening.
The winner of this game will go on to face Derry or Monaghan in the Ulster Final on May 14th.
Armagh v Down Match Info
When? 4.00 pm, Sunday, April 30th
Where? Athletic Grounds, Co. Armagh
TV Channel? BBC 2 NI
Armagh v Down Preview
Armagh’s Form
Armagh will be playing their league football in Division 2 next year, following a narrow relegation in the final round of games in a 0-18 – 0-16 defeat from Tyrone. Kieran McGeeney’s side finished seventh in the eight-team table, with a record of two wins one draw and four defeats.
Their two victories came over Ulster rivals Monaghan and Donegal while their draw came v Mayo. While Armagh had the third-worst attack in their division with 95 points scored they also had the third-best defence with only 98 points conceded.
Armagh and Antrim met in the Preliminary Round of the Ulster Championship with Armagh demolishing their opponents in a 0-20 to 1-08 score. Armagh than went away to Cavan in the Quarter-Final to pull off 0-12 to 1-14 score. Another win will see them make an Ulster Final.
Down’s Form
Down will be playing their league football in Division 3 next year following narrowly missing out on promotion to Division 2 on the final day through points difference. Fermanagh won the division with 12 points from their seven matches, Cavan came second with 10-points and a points difference of +36 Down came third with 10-points and a points difference of +15 after winning five and losing two matches.
Down had the second-best attack in the division with 129 points which is an average of 18.42 points per match only one less than Cavan with 130. However, defensively they were open at the back with their 114 points conceded an average of 16.28 per match the fifth worst in the division.
Down pulled off what would have been a surprise to many when they beat a dysfunctional Donegal last weekend in their Ulster Quarter-Final 2-13 to 1-11.
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Key Players To Watch
Rian O’Neill
Many thought that Armagh’s Rian O’Neil was deserving of an All-Star inclusion for his performances in the 2022 season, but it did not come.
Nevertheless, he has put that disappointment behind him and has been his counties star-performer in the league who’s score of 0-25 was only beaten by Damien McCurry of Tyrone and Ryan O’Donoghue of Mayo for an average of 4.16 points across his six matches.
The Armagh captain missed the first two rounds of the Ulster Championship through injury, but Armagh are hoping to have a full squad to pick from on Sunday which will be a huge boost to the team.
Pat Havern
The Down forward is their main attacking outlet, scoring 1-25 in his seven league matches which was the third-highest total in Division 3.
Last week I said that if Down were to pull off a shock victory over Donegal, then Pat Havern would need to get at least his average of four points per match against a leaky Donegal defence. He duly obliged scoring 1-3 in their victory over Donegal, who is to say they can’t win again if he does the same against Armagh?
Armagh v Down Most Recent Championship Meeting
Down 3-13 Armagh 2-17 | 2019 Ulster Championship Quarter-Final
The last time these teams met in the Championship was back in 2019 when Armagh won by the minimum in a thrilling game.
Armagh v Down Betting Odds
The odds makers make Armagh 2/7 favourites as we get closer to Sunday’s game! Down can be gotten at 7/2 while the draw is 9/1.
The handicap for the game is Armagh -4 @ 10/11.
Armagh v Down Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Armagh 0-17 Down 1-10
Despite Armagh’s relegation from Division 1 in the League, they should be on another level to Down who missed out on promotion from Division 3 coming third. Armagh to win relatively comfortably.
We also previewed the other Ulster Semi-final this weekend between Derry and Monaghan who the winner of this game will play in the Ulster Final.
Best Bet: Armagh Winning Margin 4-6 Points @ 11/4
Click Below For All Our Armagh v Down Odds
*Prices subject to fluctuation
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