Football predictions and betting tips: Kerry can win grudge match against rivals

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

Best bets

Kerry -1
5pts 4-6 Paddy Power

Kerry to score over 18.5 points
3pts 11-10 Paddy Power

Kerry to score over 1.5 goals
2pts 13-8 Paddy Power

Weekend football analysis

Kerry v Dublin

RTE2, 7pm Saturday

There has been precious little between Dublin and Kerry in the league in recent years.

The rivals have drawn their last two clashes, while it took a late Peter Crowley score to earn a one-point win for the Kingdom the time before. Expect that trend to be altered spectacularly on Saturday night as the hosts looks cracking value to defy a one-point handicap.

Dublin were desperate in many areas during their shock loss to Armagh last weekend. Goalkeeper Evan Comerford lacks the presence of Stephen Cluxton, but even more worrying was their tackle count and basic skills. It looked as if they hadn't touched a football since taking on Mayo in the All-Ireland semi-finals last year.

The Dublin defence, in particular, is of particular concern and could be there for the taking. Kerry need old scars to heal and this is the perfect occasion to do so.

Kerry would have been bitterly disappointed to leave Newbridge last Sunday with only a share of the spoils having controlled most of the game, but it is the perfect way to be entering a crunch clash against the Dubs. There will be no complacency from them and they will sense blood.

David Clifford, who has salvaged draws for Kerry in their last two league clashes with Dublin, is difficult to handle at the best of times and it will be interesting to see who Dublin decide to marshal him.

His older brother Paudie is a livewire and, if Paul Geaney and Sean O'Shea are in scoring form, it could be a long evening for Dublin at Austin Stack Park. They look a shadow of the side who were invincible not so long ago under Jim Gavin.

This Kerry side are in the middle of their cycle, whereas Dublin might be at the end of theirs and it's time to cash in.

Back the home side to defy a one-point handicap and at odds-against to reach 19 points, while odds of 13-8 about them scoring two or more goals looks generous.

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