Weekend Gaelic football predictions and GAA betting tips

Best bets

Kerry over 2.5 goals
2pts 2-1 Betfair, Boylesports, Paddy Power

Galway -1
5pts 5-6 general

Cillian McDaid over 2.5 points
1pt 21-10 Boylesports

Down -2
3pts 5-6 Boylesports

Mayo over 25.5 points
3pts 10-11 Paddy Power

Weekend Gaelic Football predictions

Kerry vs Roscommon

GAA+, 2.30pm Saturday

Kerry coasted through the Clare defence for four first-half goals in the Munster final and odds of 2-1 about them finding the net on at least three occasions when Roscommon visit seems very generous indeed.

This Roscommon side is starting to look a bit jaded and the Kingdom will want to start the All-Ireland series in style on home turf.

Kerry have the forward to do real damage if they turn it on.

Galway vs Dublin

GAA+, 5pm Saturday

This is the worst possible draw for Dublin following their shock Leinster exit to Meath.

Last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists Galway are coming into the clash on the back of a gutsy Connacht triumph, their fourth provincial title in a row, they have home advantage in Salthill and have also recalled Shane Walsh to the starting line-up for the first time in over two months. Things are look very rosy in the Tribesmen's garden and they could look a whole lot rosier after this weekend.

These two teams have adapted very differently to the new rules. How ironic that Dublin should be so slow to change their style given their legendary leader Jim Gavin was the architect of the changes. The Dubs have struggled to alter their system, whereas Galway have blossomed and cashed in on the two-points in the league.

Galway have better natural long-distance scorers than Dublin and, if Walsh returns at the peak of his powers, this could get very ugly for Dublin. Their form has been really poor in 2025 and, if anything, Meath were value for more than the winning margin in their Leinster exit.

The one area where Dublin look sure to struggle is the middle third on the pitch where Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne will have his work cut out to keep tabs on Paul Conroy and John Maher, two Trojans of the game who could give the new Dubs midfielder a torrid time.

This is the first time in over a decade where the Dubs look vulnerable and they could even struggle to make an All-Ireland semi-final. Stephen Cluxton's kicking against Meath was extremely poor and the retirements of James McCarthy and Brian Fenton are hitting hard. Having no Paul Mannion up top is also a huge blow.

This is Galway's big chance. It is now or never for this crop of Tribesmen in their quest for the Sam Maguire. This is the perfect opportunity to issue a major statement of intent and it is hard to envisage them slipping up in their back garden.

Backing Galway to beat a one-point handicap at a shade of odds-on looks a safe play, while Cillian McDaid could be the main orchestrator in the success and should be backed at 21-10 to score three points or more. He has been impressive this year.

Clare vs Down

2pm Sunday

Clare showed decent resilience to avoid an almighty hammering against Kerry in the Munster final but a two-point handicap might underestimate the gap between the Banner boys and Down.

It hasn't been a vintage 2025 for Down, not by any stretch of the imagination, but they were very unlucky to suffer relegation from Division 2 having picked up three wins and six points. They were not the weakest side in the division and even managed to beat Monaghan in the final round of fixtures.

Down were unlucky not to get closer to Donegal in the Ulster semi-final and a clash with Clare is a nice drop in class and a change for their forwards to showcase what they can do on a smaller stage. They ought to win this one comfortably.

Mayo vs Cavan

2.30pm Sunday

What better way to banish the demons of another heartbreaking Connacht final loss than to welcome Cavan to MacHale Park.

Mayo managed to draw level with Galway and had the guts of a quarter-of-an-hour to finish the job with the wind, but they went into the shell and paid the price. It was a harsh lesson.

But Mayo are operating on a whole different level to Cavan and they could run riot. The best bet on the match coupon is over 25.5 Mayo points at evens.

Click for free bets and betting offers from the Racing Post

Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.