GAA Hurling predictions, odds and betting tips: Tipperary to put on a show

Free GAA hurling tips, best bets and previews for this weekend's All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Best bets

Tipperary -2
3pts Evs bet365

Over 56.5 points in Tipperary v Waterford
2pts evens Bet365

Jason Forde (Tipperary) to score a goal at any time
1pt 2-1 BoyleSports

Over 2.5 Cork goals
3pts 6-4 Paddy Power

Jack O'Connor (Cork) to score a goal at any time
2pts 13-8 Ladbrokes

Jack O'Connor (Cork) to score two or more goals
1pt 17-2 Ladbrokes

Weekend hurling analysis

Tipperary v Waterford

RTE 1, 1.30pm Saturday

Clare found out just how difficult it is to play four games in 27 days when just missing out on a quarter-final spot against Cork last weekend, and Waterford will have to overcome a similarly busy schedule on Saturday - their fourth game in 34 days.

The Deise will undoubtedly head to Pairc Ui Chaoimh full of confidence after doing enough to repel a second-half surge from Galway last Saturday, having really impressed in the first half.

Their relentlessness in the first period was impressive - and a closing tally of 1-30 was a healthy score - but the result is perhaps not as glossy as it seems considering how disappointing Galway were for crucial periods.

The Tribesmen started the season as second-favourites to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup but their campaign never took off and Waterford themselves were previously workmanlike win against Laois.

Tipperary - with the benefit of freshness - could prove a different animal altogether for Liam Cahill's side, sure to be eager to make a statement after going from ten points up at half-time to losing out by five points in the Munster final against Limerick.

There aren't many sides who could have got Limerick in the kind of trouble Tipperary did in the opening 35 minutes and it would be a shock if they didn't utilise their bench earlier this time.

Waterford's style of play is demanding in terms of fitness so Tipperary's class is expected to shine through and they make o plenty of appeal with the -2 handicap.

Both sides have high-quality attacking power and that should ensure the total points marker of 56.5 is exceeded. There were 62 and 65 points in each of their last championship outings.

The in-form Jason Forde, who is likely to be on penalty-taking duties, looks decent value at 2-1 to bag a goal at any time, given Waterford have coughed up five goals in their last two games. Only Westmeath conceded more green flags than them in the league.

Dublin v Cork

Sky Sports Arena, 7pm Saturday

The market suggests this will be a one-sided affair, but this has the feel of a volatile fixture.

Both sides have probably underachieved in recent years or lacked something in key moments, whether that be consistency in Dublin's case or an ability to see out games when the chips are really down for Cork.

The Rebels will be heavy favourites but it's hard to get behind them with massive conviction at odds of 1-4 - or to cover a six-point handicap - for all that they have the ability to blow Dublin away when bringing their absolute A game.

Part of that reluctance to side with the more talented outfit is due to how the Dubs caused an upset against Galway in the Leinster semi-final - simply bossing a team who man-for-man had greater weapons than them.

Galway obviously weren't at their best in this championship, but a similarly intense and unrelenting display from Mattie Kenny's side could steer Cork into choppy waters.

Goals have been the one thing that Kieran Kingston's men have been able to rely on in 2021, though, and continuing that rich form looks the most logical way into the game.

Nobody in Division 1 could match Cork's 18 goals in five league games - with Galway closest on 12 - and they should have come away with more than just the one green flag against Limerick in the Munster semi-final.

The Rebels put that right with three goals against Clare last week and have the tools to do at least the same again now, worth supporting at 6-4 for over 2.5 goals.

Fearless 22-year-old forward Jack O'Connor has been impressive and rattled the twine in his most recent outing versus the Banner.

The 13-8 about him repeating the feat at Semple Stadium on Saturday looks fair and a chance is also taken on him notching a brace or more at a generous 17-2.

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