Hurling predictions and betting tips: Waterford attack to ensure big goals tally

Free GAA hurling tips, best bets and match previews for this weekend's Leinster and Munster championship fixtures.

Best bets

Dublin or Kilkenny to win by one to four points or draw
2pts 10-11 Betfair, Paddy Power

Under 51.5 points in Dublin v Kilkenny
2pts 5-6 Betfair, Paddy Power

Dublin +4
1pt 10-11 BoyleSports

Over 29.5 Waterford points
1pts evens BoyleSports

Over 3.5 goals in Waterford v Cork
2pts 13-8 BoyleSports

Dessie Hutchinson to score a goal and Waterford to win
1pt 15-8 BoyleSports

Clare-Limerick double result
1pt 9-2 general

Kyle Hayes to score a goal and Limerick to win
1pt 7-2 Paddy Power/Betfair

Dublin v Kilkenny

Sky Sports Arena, 7pm Saturday

Kilkenny are four-point favourites to bounce back from their dramatic added-time defeat to Galway a fortnight ago, but if Dublin bring their very best to the table this will be a nip-and-tuck battle.

The Dubs always have the potential to cause a provincial upset but haven't always been the most reliable either, as evidenced when the two sides met in the Allianz League in March.

Fresh from claiming a scalp in Tipperary, Mattie Kenny's men were bitterly disappointing when welcoming Kilkenny to Parnell Park, and were beaten 0-16 to 2-23.

Confidence will be high in the Dublin camp after a trio of wins to start their championship campaign, especially in round two when digging in gamely to deny Wexford away from home.

They get the chance to make amends for their league no-show against Kilkenny on Saturday night, and surely they will be eager not to take a backwards step by repeating that result.

A small wager on Dublin in receipt of a four-point handicap start is recommended, but a draw or either side to win by four points or fewer looks the most solid play.

With the exception of Kilkenny's meetings with Laois and Westmeath - inferior sides they would have been fully expected to beat handily - neither team has looked like putting up massive points tallies against top-tier outfits.

BoyleSports have set the line at 49.5 points, but Paddy Power make it 51.5 points. Going under the latter marker looks the way to go.

Waterford v Cork

RTE2, 2pm Sunday

Back-to-back defeats have left Cork with a bit of a mountain to climb in terms of their championship ambitions, and the need for a result against a top side like Waterford is a far from ideal situation.

The Deise have had a couple of weeks to recover from a pulsating encounter with Limerick in which they went down by three points, and they have every incentive to take this game extremely seriously as a second loss would leave them on the backfoot ahead of their final-round showdown with Clare.

If Waterford play to their very best, they will take all the beating. They were far too good when beating the Rebels 4-20 to 1-23 in the Allianz League final and their attacking firepower is probably only bettered by the reigning All-Ireland champions.

Given Liam Cahill's side averaged 31.7 points in the league before scoring 30 points against Tipperary and 27 against Limerick, they can post at least 30 against a Cork side who have conceded 2-28 and 0-28 in their two provincial games so far.

Waterford have also averaged 2.9 goals in their league and championship games this year, while Cork haven't failed to raise a green flag in either competition for nearly 40 months.

Over 3.5 goals looks well worth supporting, while Dessie Hutchinson can get in on the act in a double with Waterford to win the match at 15-8.

Clare v Limerick

RTE2, 4pm Sunday

From a punting perspective this looks the toughest of this weekend's big three fixtures to call as Limerick, who have one foot in the Munster final, take on in-form neighbours Clare.

Limerick overcame a first-half deficit to register a seven-point win over Tipperary last time out and they are again fancied to get the job done.

However, Clare, who have impressed in beating the Premier County and Cork, will be fired up for this home tie and can keep things tight for a considerable portion of the game - the pair drew 18 points apiece when meeting in the league.

Clare have started brightly and been well clear at the break in both of their Munster wins this year, so it could be worth taking a chance on them leading at half-time and Limerick leading at the finish.

Kyle Hayes is always a goal threat, so odds of 15-8 about him raising a green flag and Limerick winning the game appeal.

Not got a Paddy Power account? Sign up and get up to £50 in free sports bets

Place a single £10 Sportsbook bet and get money back as a free bet if it loses. There are x5 Free Bets available. Max refund per qualifying bet is £10. Only deposits made via Credit/Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport