Galway v Kerry National League Prediction, Preview & Betting Odds
We have a Galway v Kerry prediction along with the betting odds for you ahead of a cracking National League game this Sunday afternoon.
Galway v Kerry Match Info
When? 1.45 pm, Sunday, March 26th
Where? Pearse Stadium, Salthill, Galway
TV Channel? TG4
Galway v Kerry Preview
Galway’s Form
As we enter the final weekend of the Allianz Football League, we enter the business end of the competition as Galway will be looking to earn a place in their second league final in a row following their narrow 1-20 to 0-22 point defeat to Roscommon in last season’s Division Two decider.
Galway began their league campaign vs provincial rivals Mayo (who have since qualified for the final) in a dramatic draw with Mayo. Galway played most of the football and led going into the final minute until Ryan O’Donoghue kicked over a last-second equaliser for Mayo to earn last year’s All-Ireland finalists a point on the opening weekend of the season.
The second round of fixtures saw the tribesman lose their first league game of the season in a dull 0-8 vs 0-9 defeat at home to Roscommon. It wasn’t until the third weekend where The Tribesman got their first league win, finally clicking into gear in a 0-16 vs 0-13 points win vs Tyrone.
Since that Tyrone victory they have beaten Monaghan in a 1-13 vs 0-10 victory at Pearse Stadium along with a narrow 1-6 vs 1-8 win away to Armagh.
It is very simple for Galway entering into the final round of fixtures in the league. Currently on 8 points if they can avoid defeat vs Kerry in Salthill on Sunday then Padraic Joyce’s team will qualify for the final in a repeat of their opening league game of the season where they narrowly missed out on victory to Mayo.
Kerry’s Form
Kerry entered 2023 following 2022 which was nothing short of imperious. The Kingdom started last season by winning the league dominating Mayo in the final winning by a staggering 15 points.
They would then go on to win the Munster Championship by beating Limerick in the final by 23 points and capping it off by beating their opponents for this clash Galway in the All-Ireland Football Final by 4 points.
Naturally much was expected of Kerry in 2023 it was because of that that their opening weekend defeat to Donegal 0-13 vs 1-9 in Ballybofey was such a shock! The Kingdom on the day were missing David and Paudie Clifford though…
It’s been a stop-start league campaign for Kerry, following their opening weekend defeat to Donegal the following weekend they put Monaghan to the sword in a 3-16 vs 0–14-point victory. That was followed by a 2-14 vs 1-10 defeat from league leaders Mayo showing that Kerry are not the team they were in 2022.
Kerry had a 0-12 vs 0-11 narrow home win vs Armagh the next weekend. Tyrone in Round 5 showed that Kerry are fragile away from home with a 1-15 vs 2-9 win.
It’s all a matter now though as a win vs Roscommon last weekend by 1-12 vs 0-12 means the job is simple. Beat Galway and they make the league final, it’s unfortunate they are away from home again though.
Key Players To Watch
David Clifford
David Clifford is arguably not only the best footballer in the country but you could argue he is the biggest name in GAA full stop right now! Despite missing The Kingdom’s first game of the season he is the joint top-scorer in the league with an impressive total points tally of 43
His goal-scoring threat is a huge reason for this having scored five goals already this league season. If he can get another on Sunday, the Kingdom could be on their way to another League Final.
Sean Kelly
Galway comes into this match with the best defence in the league with only 67 points conceded in their opening six games which is on average 11.16 points per match.
Crucial to those defensive efforts is Captain and Galway Full-Back Sean Kelly who will play a key role in leading the Galway defensive vs league’s second-best attack but particularly the aforementioned superstar that is David Clifford! If Kelly can stop Kerry from getting goals they will be halfway into a League Final.
Galway v Kerry Head-to-Head Results
Galway 0-16 Kerry 0-20 | 2022 All-Ireland Football-Final
Kerry 4-21 Galway 0-11 | 2021 Football League Division 1 South
Kerry 1-15 Galway 2-11 | 2020 National League Division 1
Galway v Kerry Betting Odds
The odds makers find it hard to separate these sides as we get closer to Sunday’s big game! Kerry are the slight favourites at odds of 5/6 to win.
Galway despite being ahead of Kerry in the table and having home advantage enter came as slight underdogs at odds of 11/8 in the betting while the draw is 7/1.
The handicap for the game is Kerry -1 at 5/4
Galway v Kerry Prediction & Best Bet
Kerry enters this match as favourites as they look to reclaim they looked to win on Sunday and qualify for another final. David Clifford has been as crucial as ever for The Kingdom with his five goals and he will be hoping to add to his tally on Sunday. Kerry always comes alive on the big occasion.
Galway on the other hand has only been beaten on one occasion in the league and that was a narrow defeat to Roscommon back in February by a mere point. Crucial to their success has been their backline which is the best in the league only conceding 11.16 points per match which means they’re in contention in every game.
With all that being said I expect home advantage to be key on Sunday for The Tribesman, Kerry has struggled on their travels this season and I think that with the fine margins in this match-up that will be enough to push the side to Galway and give them a narrow home victory vs Kerry.
Prediction: Galway 0-15 Kerry 1-11
Best Bet: Galway Winning Margin 1-3 @ 13/5
Click Below For All Our Galway v Kerry National League Betting Odds
*Prices subject to fluctuation
Related Articles