GAA: Allianz Hurling League Sunday match betting preview and tips

Best bets

Galway to lead at half-time
1pt 13-8 Ladbrokes

Galway +2
3pts Evens general

Wexford -1
2pts 21-20 bet365

Laois +7
1pt evens general

Under 47.5 total points in Dublin v Laois
1pt 5-6 Paddy Power

Sunday analysis

Limerick v Galway

TG4, 2pm Sunday

Limerick emerged with the points from their league opener with Tipperary last weekend but it's difficult to put aside the memory of their diabolical first-half performance as they head into a significant test against Galway.

The Munster champions, arguably the best team in the country last season, pulled it out of the fire with a much-improved final 35 minutes but during the opening period they struggled with the basics and seemed to capitulate from their own puck-outs.

It was against 14-man Westmeath, but Galway went through the gears comfortably in their round-one victory and looked to unearth some potentially bright prospects.

Limerick still have quality throughout their panel and will be tough to beat but the handicap underestimates Galway's ability and doesn't reflect the fact that Limerick were a late deflected Tipperary shot onto the crossbar away from defeat last week.

Tribesmen boss Shane O'Neill, a Limerick native who guided Na Piarsaigh to 2016 All Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship glory, knows the reigning league champions better than most and will be intent on making an early statement.

With Joe Canning and Conor Whelan set to start again, this one should be tight and Galway with a two-point start makes plenty of appeal.

Considering Limerick's sloppy start a week ago and the fact that Galway led at half-time in each of their championship games last year, Galway to be leading at half-time could be worth backing.

Wexford v Clare

2pm Sunday

There is no shortage of history between Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald and new Clare boss Brian Lohan from their days in Fitzgibbon Cup hurling, so don't be surprised to see sparks flying in Sunday's cracking clash between two smart sides.

Both teams took advantage of decent opportunities in their first round fixtures and will be keen to extend their winning records, but Wexford's home advantage could count for plenty.

The Model County side's only home defeat in last year's league and championship came in the opening round of this competition to subsequent winners Limerick.

Contrastingly, Clare lost their three away games during last year's league while remaining unbeaten at home in the same competition, including a 2-22 to 1-22 success over Wexford.

The reigning Leinster champions, fresh from lifting the Walsh Cup, look to be in good shape and may just be ahead of Lohan's charges, who could have more of an experimental shape.

Wexford hit 20 wides last week against Laois but still scored a satisfactory 2-27 - they can cover the one-point handicap.

Dublin v Laois

2pm Sunday

Dublin's dismal round-one defeat to a makeshift 14-man Kilkenny will have left Mattie Kenny's side doing a fair amount of soul-searching, and taking on a Laois outfit who put them out of last year's championship may not be the best tonic.

Eddie Brennan won't have the same depth to his panel after some quality players failed to commit to the the O'Moore County set-up for 2020, but in a league campaign where they have to play Clare at Cusack Park next week and host Kilkenny in the final round, this fixture against against the Dubs will surely be one that Laois have targeted.

Last year's All-Ireland quarter-finalists hurled well for long spells of their opening defeat to Wexford and should keep this within the seven-point handicap.

Dublin, unbeaten at Parnell Park in Division 1B of last year's league and in their two home 2019 championship fixtures, won by only two points when the sides met in this competition 12 months ago, with just 24 points scored between them in abysmal conditions.

Considering how sloppy Dublin were last week, it could be worth taking under 47.5 total points on such a tight pitch.

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport