Gaelic football predictions and GAA betting tips: It's set to rain goals at Croke Park as Cork could cause a big shock

Best bets

Over 1.5 Kerry goals
4pts Evs BoyleSports 

Cork
1pt 6-1 general

Cork +6
3pts Evs general 

Over 2.5 goals in Cork v Dublin
3pts 7-4 BoyleSports 

Over 3.5 goals in Cork v Dublin
2pts 9-2 BoyleSports 

Galway -3
3pts 5-6 general 

Louth to lead at half-time
1pt 7-1 Ladbrokes

Weekend Gaelic Football predictions

Kerry vs Cavan 

GAA+, 3.30pm Saturday

Kerry are somehow still joint-favourites for the All-Ireland with some firms offering 100-30 despite their shock loss to Meath last weekend which has forced them down the scenic route and into a preliminary quarter-final. 

The draw has been kind, however, as they face the worst side remaining in the shape of Cavan. 

It is hard to fathom how a side who conceded 0-31 to Tyrone and were beaten by 13 points, a fortnight after being thrashed by Donegal where they coughed up 3-26, are still hanging around in the competition. 

A win over a wounded Mayo side got them there but a trip to Fitzgerald Stadium to face a Kerry side could get ugly. 

Cavan kept a clean sheet last weekend despite the rout, and Kerry failed to find the net against Meath either, but even allowing for all that it is hard to understand how the hosts are evens to score two or more goals. 

Kerry netted three times against Roscommon in the first round of the All-Ireland series and then scored 1-28 in the win over Cork. Tey could easily have had a few more goals in that game, too. 

Kerry could welcome back a few of their leading lights for this tussle and, if David Clifford is on song, Cavan could struggle to contain the Kingdom, who could kick a lot more here than they did against Meath. 

Kerry are 1-20 with most firms to win this in 70 minutes, and the handicap is 12, so evens about two or more home goals looks top value.

Dublin vs Cork

GAA+, 6.15pm Saturday

Dublin make their first championship appearance of the year in Croke Park as they welcome Cork in the second of the preliminary quarter-finals. 

The Dubs got the job done against Derry but you couldn't say they were impressive and they were hanging on in the end. They don't seem to have enough long-distance shooters who are able to secure two-pointers and that could hold them back in their quest to go all the way. 

Cork are dangerous. The market might suggest they have no chance at 6-1, but the Rebels have more to offer than the betting would lead you to believe. 

The Rebels took Kerry to extra-time in Munster and, apart from an abject display against Meath, have been pretty consistent over the last few months. 

They were value for more than the slender winning margin in their victory over Roscommon and once again almost paid the price for missing a whole host of goal-scoring chances. 

The pace at which Cork move the ball, especially when wing-back Brian O'Driscoll drives through, could cause the Dublin defence problems and the Rebels should rack up a decent score, whether they win, lose or draw. If they are more clinical when clean through on goals, they should make this very interesting indeed. 

This game could be full of goals as Cork's full-back line looks dodgy at times, so backing over 2.5 and over 3.5 match goals makes plenty of appeal. 

Backing Cork with a six-point handicap also looks a worthwhile play.

Down vs Galway

GAA+, 1.45pm Sunday

Galway have just about managed to keep their heads above water and they are fancied to take full advantage of their reprieve by beating Down comfortably away in Newry. 

The Tribesmen looked dead and buried when Armagh stormed into a huge half-time lead last weekend, but the first 20 minutes of the second half was the best Galway have played all year. It was the best any team have played in 2025. They were awesome. 

Galway need to bring that level of intensity from the start on Sunday and, if they do, a three-point handicap ought to be comfortably disposed of, especially with Shane Walsh coming back to his best form and Rob Finnerty continuing his hot streak. 

Donegal vs Louth

GAA+, 4pm Sunday

You can get 7-1 about Louth pinching a half-time lead in Ballybofey and that looks generous. 

They galloped into an eight-point lead against Clare last weekend so expect a similarly explosive start from the Wee County.

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Weekend hurling predictions and GAA betting tips: Take Tipp to edge out Galway 

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