GAA: Allianz Hurling League Sunday match betting preview and tips

Free GAA hurling tips, best bets and match previews for Sunday's Allianz National League fixtures.

Best bets

Either side to win by one to four points or draw in Cork v Limerick
3pts 4-5 Paddy Power

Limerick
2pts 10-11 Hills, Sky Bet

Stephen Bennett anytime goalscorer in Waterford v Galway
1pt 2-1 Coral, Ladbrokes

Clare
2pts 15-8 general

Westmeath + 13
1pt Evens Paddy Power

Sunday hurling analysis

Cork v Limerick

2pm Sunday

Expect an exciting, high-scoring encounter as old rivals Cork and Limerick go head-to-head this Sunday at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Limerick are worthy favourites to make it back-to-back Allianz Hurling League titles and look to be operating at an advanced level for this early in the year after impressing in victory against Galway last time.

Cork were narrowly touched off at Waterford in an opening-round tussle but produced a performance high on intensity when beating Tipperary at home in round two, with a rapid surface allowing the sides to put up a combined 58 points.

The Rebels weren't overly impressive against a determined Westmeath outfit since but Kieran Kingston's men are expected to be much sharper for this challenge, with an average of 54.5 total points per game (excluding extra-time) the last four times the sides have met in league and championship.

These fixtures have generally been closely-run affairs, including two draws, so either side to win by one to four points or draw looks a cracking bet, though Limerick just get the nod overall to extend their unbeaten run.

Their extremely strong starting 15, which includes Cian Lynch, Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Aaron Gillane and Seamus Flanagan, could prove difficult to handle.

Waterford v Galway

2pm Sunday

Waterford host Galway in arguably the trickiest tie of the league so far this year, with both sides seeking to put down a marker and fielding strong squads.

The Tribesmen's recent record away to the south-eastern side isn't the most appealing and they blew a ten-point half-time lead to lose by two at Walsh Park in this competition last year.

However, Galway, under new boss Shane O'Neill, have all the tools to be genuine championship contenders and will provide a real test for Liam Cahill's men.

The postponement of last weekend's clash with Tipperary means main man Joe Canning should be fully recovered from a knock picked up against Limerick in round two.

Waterford's Stephen Bennett scored 1-7 in their 2019 league semi-final showdown with Galway and has been in excellent form, firing over 11 points in their victory against Cork before putting on a show against Westmeath, recording a tally of 2-8 while also missing a penalty and having a goal disallowed.

The 2-1 about the Ballysaggart man to score a goal at any time could be worth taking.

Kilkenny v Clare

2pm Sunday

Brian Cody is continuing to rest All-Ireland Club Championship winners TJ Reid, Colin Fennelly, Joey Holden and Padraig Walsh, and that could leave the door open for Clare to continue their winning run.

Kilkenny are without seven of the side who started last year's All-Ireland final defeat to Tipperary and it was slightly disappointing they couldn't come home in front against Wexford last week, considering they were in the driving seat late on with a gale behind them.

Clare weren't flashy in difficult conditions at home against Laois last Sunday either, but they got the job done by eight points and made it three from three in this year's league. They are yet to concede a goal, although they have faced the division's two weakest teams.

Tony Kelly has been in outstanding form and should be to the fore once again, while it's worth remembering that Clare managed to see off the Cats 2-20 to 1-22 in last year's league. Take a chance on the Banner County upsetting the hosts.

Tipperary v Westmeath

2pm Sunday

Anything less than a Tipperary victory would be a shock but Westmeath gave Cork plenty to think about last week and could get closer than the 13-point handicap suggests.

The concession of two penalties, which were converted by the Rebels' star forward Patrick Horgan among a personal tally of 2-8 from placed balls, ended the outsiders' chance of causing an upset at home last Sunday, but they showed an excellent attitude and were beaten by only four points.

Westmeath's Eoin Price has said that his team will head to Nenagh with the memory of their 2017 meeting in mind, when the Lake County side made Tipperary work hard and trailed by only three points with 17 minutes remaining.

The All-Ireland champions have named a strong side that includes 2019 Hurler of the Year Seamus Callanan and will have too much class for their Leinster opponents, but Westmeath can keep it closer than expected.

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