Allianz Hurling League match predictions and hurling betting tips

Free GAA hurling tips, best bets and match previews for this weekend's Allianz Hurling League fixtures.

Best bets

Over 3.5 goals in Kilkenny v Dublin
2pts Evs Paddy Power

Over 4.5 goals in Kilkenny v Dublin
1pt 9-4 Paddy Power

Tipperary + 3
1pt 11-10 Paddy Power/BoyleSports

Tipperary +4
2pts 10-11 Paddy Power

No Limerick goal
5-1 1pt Paddy Power

Under 1.5 Limerick goals
11-8 1pt Paddy Power

Under 50.5 points in Wexford v Laois
3pts 5-6 Paddy Power

Waterford
2pts 11-10 general

Match previews

Dublin v Kilkenny

Eir Sport, 3.30pm Saturday

There were five goals when these sides met in an extraordinary Leinster semi-final last October, with Kilkenny hanging on by a point on that occasion having dominated the first-half before being outscored by 2-15 to 0-7 in a remarkable second period.

Their opening league encounter last season also saw Kilkenny raise three green flags and there could be more goals this time around, with Saturday's fixture being one of the first games in which the new heightened rules on cynical fouling are in play.

That could possibly lead to more penalties being awarded and the total goals market might be the place to look, with over 3.5 and over 4.5 making some appeal.

Limerick v Tipperary

Eir Sport, 5.30pm Saturday

This is undoubtedly the highlight of the weekend as the last two All-Ireland champions do battle in a repeat of last year's league opener and Munster semi-final.

Limerick were on the winning side of both encounters - making it five wins in their last six league and championship meetings with Tipperary - and the brilliant reigning champions are difficult to oppose from a win perspective.

However, this should be closer than the four-point handicap suggests and it's worth remembering that Tipperary got off to a flying start before tiring in the second half during this league fixture last year.

Ultimately, it's going to take a huge performance to get the better of Limerick, but the Premier County can keep this tight and should be backed with a headstart of three and four points at 10-11 and 11-10.

A chance is also taken on Limerick being relatively quiet on the goal front, having rattled the twine in only one of their five championship outings last year, obviously placing emphasis on putting up massive point tallies.

Wexford v Laois

TG4, 1.45pm Sunday

Wexford endured a dreadful championship in 2020 but have a straightforward assignment to get the league off to a winning start, taking on a Laois side who lost manager Eddie Brennan in November and look set to be missing six or seven first-team players.

The Model County side won four of their five league outings in 2020 and averaged 24.5 points per game, while Laois typically put up 18.2 points in their fixtures during the same period.

Still, that combined average of 42.7 - admittedly set in more wintry conditions - falls a fair deal short of the 50.5 marker set for total points here so take the unders.

Cork v Waterford

TG4, 3.45pm Sunday

Both sides will have different looks than we're accustomed to, with new first-choice goalkeepers at both ends as well as some high-profile absentees from regular panels.

A cull of sorts has taken place in Cork, whereas beaten All-Ireland finalists Waterford are missing key men Pauric Mahony and Tadhg De Burca through injury.

However, it's still somewhat surprising to see that Cork have been made favourites.

A summer league - rather than the usual winter challenge - may well suit the Rebels, but they are not renowned for blistering league starts, losing to the Deise in this opening fixture last year as well as starting their 2019 league with two defeats.

Cork's ability to grind out results when the going is at its toughest has been brought into question on several occasions, whereas Waterford's relentlessness and spirit has been a standout point since Liam Cahill took over the reins.

Neither outfit are expected to be at their sharpest, but Waterford still deserve to be favourites and can deliver if this comes down to a dogfight, as the one-point handicap suggests it will.

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