Galway v Mayo Prediction, Preview & Odds – All-Ireland Preliminary QF

We have a Galway v Mayo prediction along with the betting odds for you ahead of their All-Ireland Prelim’ quarter-final this Sunday.

How To Watch Galway v Mayo

When? 3pm, Sunday, June 25th

Where? Pearse Stadium, Salthill, Co. Galway

TV Channel: RTÉ 2

Galway v Mayo Preview

Galway’s Form

Galway have been one of the most impressive sides to date in this year’s National League and Championship season.

League Form

The Tribesmen played their football in Division One where they reached the National League final following a strong spring campaign. On their way to the final they only lost one game which came at home against neighbours Roscommon by a single point back in February.

Aside from that loss Galway were unbeaten in the group stage of the league with 4 wins and 2 draws from their remaining 6 games.

Notably, one of those draws came against Mayo in Castlebar in the opening round of this year’s league. In truth, Galway played the better football that evening and were hard done by not to leave Castlebar with all two points.

Galway have become known as one of the best defensive teams in the country under Padraic Joyce. It is almost like watching a basketball team the way they get bodies back on defence and make it difficult for opponents to break them down. This league campaign was more proof of their defensive prowess as they conceded less points than any other team. The 92 points they conceded over their seven games works out to an average of 13.1 points conceded per game.

The Tribesmen would face rivals Mayo in the National League final. In that final they would be beaten in what was a tight fought game, although Mayo never trailed. The final scoreline read Mayo 0-14 0-11 Galway. 

Championship Form

Galway bounced back from that league final disappointment in fine fashion by winning the Connacht Championship.

They had a pretty easy path to the title as it goes as they only had to play one of Mayo and Roscommon who played each other at the quarter-final stage.

To be fair to Galway though they still had to travel to Dr. Hyde Park and beat a Roscommon team that finished third in Division 1 of the National League and had beaten them already in the league. Padraic Joyce’s side were impressive in that game and always looked comfortable as they navigated their way to a four point win against the Rossies in what was a de facto Connacht final (with no disrespect meant to Sligo of course).

Galway’s provincial title meant they went into the novel All-Ireland group stage as the top seed in their group. They were not afforded a particularly easy draw however as they were drawn with Armagh and Tyrone along with 2022 Tailteann cup winners Westmeath.

The Tribesmen looked like they were well on their way to topping the group after two relatively comfortable opening round games wins against Tyrone, 0-16 to 0-13, and Westmeath, 0-20 to 0-12.

Unfortunately from a Galway perspective, they were unable to get the job done against Armagh as they fell to a narrow one-point defeat in Carrick-on-Shannon which means they will now have to face Mayo in a knockout game this weekend.

Mayo’s Form

League Form

Mayo were the form team in Ireland this spring as they won their first National League title since 2019. They got off to a slow start with two opening round draws against Galway and Armagh but quickly found their stride after that with four straight wins.

That run of form meant they had topped the group and qualified for the final with a game to spare (which they would lose to Monaghan).

The key to Mayo’s success in the league was their attacking firepower as they scored 126 points over the seven games for an average of 18 points per game to be the top scoring team in Division 1. For context, Mayo scored 13 more points than the next highest scoring team which is a testament to how strong they were going forward.

The westerners would go on to beat their rivals (and opponents this weekend) Galway in the league final to cap off a great start to life under new manager Kevin McStay.

Championship Form

Mayo drew the short straw early on in this Championship season as they had to play Roscommon in the first round of the Connacht championship only seven days after their league final victory. Roscommon ambushed Mayo that day as they scored two goals which proved to be crucial on a windy day in Castlebar.

In truth, that loss didn’t really do much (if any) damage to Mayo’s Championship ambitions. In fact, it might have even helped them as they enjoyed a six-week break until their next game which came against.Kerry in Killarney.

Very few people expected Mayo to win down in Killarney, a place where Kerry hadn’t lost a Championship game since 1995 but that is exactly what they did. The most shocking part about that win for Mayo was the margin of it which was five points in the end.

The expectation after that victory was that Kevin McStay’s side would coast to top spot in the group as they would go into their remaining two games as heavy favourites against Louth and Cork. However, Mayo, in typical Mayo fashion, scraped over the line against Louth before going on to blow a six point second-half lead against Cork. Never boring, as always.

These two poor performances mean that Mayo finished third behind Kerry and Cork on points difference and will now have to beat Galway in Salthill to qualify for an All-Ireland quarter-final.

Key Players To Watch

Shane Walsh

One of the best players in Ireland who can create a score from nothing. Walsh is Galway’s spark and you can bet that Mayo’s defensive gameplan will revolve around limiting his output this Sunday.

However, that is easier said than done as the Kilmacud Crokes man is happy to drop into deeper positions to get on the ball and orchestrate the Galway attack from there.

Aidan O’Shea

One of the best gaelic footballers of the last decade. O’Shea has long been one of the most polarising figures in the game with many criticising him for having too many games where he is kept quiet in a Mayo jersey.

This season O’Shea cuts the figure of a man that has been rejuvenated after his switch back into the full-forward line. The Breaffy man had been playing his football mainly from the centre-forward and midfield positions in recent years but now he is being played much closer to goal in the full-forward line.

Galway’s achilles heel in recent seasons has been their vulnerability under the high ball and if Mayo can supply O’Shea with quality, direct ball inside then the Tribesmen could be in a lot of trouble this Sunday.

Galway v Mayo Head-To-Head Results

2023 National League Final | Mayo 0-14 0-11 Galway

2023 National League | Mayo 1-11 2-08 Galway

2022 Connacht Championship | Mayo 0-16 1-14 Galway

2021 Connacht Championship Final | Mayo 2-14 2-08 Galway

2020 Connacht Championship Final | Galway 0-13 0-14 Mayo

Mayo have gotten the better of recent meetings between these two fierce rivals with 3 wins in their last five games against Galway.

Galway have only managed one win, which came in Castlebar in last year’s Connacht Championship. Their was also one draw which came in the first round of this year’s National League.

The last time these two teams played a Championship game in Salthill, where they will play this weekend, Mayo triumphed by a single point in a COVID shortened season.

Galway v Mayo Betting Odds

Galway – 10/11

Mayo – 5/4

Draw – 6/1

Galway go into this game as slight favourites at odds of 10/11 which suggests that our odds makers see virtually nothing between these sides when factoring in for Galway’s home advantage.

Mayo are priced up at odds of 5/4 to win within the 70 minutes while the draw can be bet at odds of 6/1.

Galway v Mayo Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: Galway 1-16 Mayo 1-13

As the odds suggest this is a very hard game to call. These are two of the best teams in Ireland with little separating them but I think home advantage will be crucial here.

Mayo have been very disappointing in their last two outings with a narrow victory over Louth and an implosion in the last 15 minutes against Cork. Could they flip the switch and produce their best with their backs against the wall? Look, it’s Mayo, of course they could but I think Galway will do just enough to get over the line here.

Best Bet: Galway to win by 1-3 points @ 11/4

Click Below For All Our Galway v Mayo Odds

*Prices subject to fluctuation

Remember, always gamble responsibly. Here’s our Safer Gambling Guide.