Allianz Hurling League final predictions and GAA betting tips: Tipperary to push Rebel county close in League decider

Best bets

Tipperary +5
3pts 21-20 BoyleSports

Under 55.5 points in Cork v Tipperary
3pts 4-5 BoyleSports

Shane Barrett to be Man of the Match in Cork v Tipperary
1pt 6-1 BoyleSports

Waterford -6
2pts 10-11 BoyleSports, Paddy Power

Allianz Hurling League predictions

Cork vs Tipperary predictions

TG4, 4pm Sunday

This should be an absolutely cracking final with two teams who have been shooting the lights out during the group stage, both averaging around 28 points per game.

They met in round four when Tipperary edged the argument by four points but Cork have been improving rapidly since, winning their next three games including when racking up massive scores against Clare and Galway.

With ten goals in their last two games, Cork's firepower is immense. Their full forward line of Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly and Brian Hayes is the best in the country, while Darragh Fitzgibbon and Shane Barrett are hurling phenomenally well in the half-forward line.

Pat Ryan's men have an outstanding chance to land their first League title since 1998 but Tipperary have done very little wrong this year and bookmakers may be overestimating the gap between the two.

After beating Cork in February, Tipp put up an excellent display to beat Kilkenny convincingly last month and showed an excellent attitude to emerge with a narrow victory against Clare, a game which they didn't need to win given their final spot already secure.

They might struggle to quieten this electric Cork attack but they have plenty of firepower of their own as Jake Morris, Jason Forde and Gearoid O'Connor are match-winners, while newcomer Darragh McCarthy has made a big impression.

One thing firmly in Cork's favour is their stacked panel. They can call on some hugely influential players late in the game to see them through such as Declan Dalton, Seamus Harnedy and Shane Kingston.

While both sides are capable of putting on a serious show of scoring, the total points line takes this too much into account as very few games eclipse 55 points and Cork are unlikely to plunder five or six goals again. This should be tight and while Cork are the more likely winners, the handicap is too big.

It's also worth taking a punt on Shane Barrett to take individual honours. He has been outstanding throughout the whole campaign and could prove the difference.

Waterford vs Offaly predictions

TG4, 1.45m Sunday

After a disappointing defeat to Carlow this year, Waterford have been getting their act together and are slowly getting stronger as more of their marquee players return from injury.

They defeated Offaly by eight points in the final round of Division 1B but the final score flattered the winners, especially as Offaly's James Mahon was sent off in the first half in very dubious circumstances.

Offaly aren't to be underestimated by any stretch and have some exceptional young talent in their side but Waterford are a serious outfit when on song and were desperately unfortunate not to progress through Munster last year.

They're getting back to full strength and Tadgh De Burca is a huge addition. Offaly will find it difficult to deal with Dessie Hutchinson and Jamie Barron, while Austin Gleeson could potentially figure. They are dark horses for top honours in the championship this season and a comprehensive success would serve as an excellent launchpad.

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