Allianz Football League: Weekend previews

SATURDAY

[All games 2pm unless stated]

Division One

Dublin v Cork, Croke Park, 7.0 (Live, Setanta Sports Ireland) – "There's losing and there's losing like that," said Paul Kerrigan on Cork's Red FM during the week. As a précis of where Cork find themselves after successive hidings from Donegal and Roscommon, it's hard to beat. You have to go back beyond the confines of this decade for the last time Cork lost a regulation league game by double digits but now they've given up two on the bounce. Dublin could very feasibly make it three at Croke Park, with Paul Flynn, Bernard Brogan, Brian Fenton and Jonny Cooper all back in action last week. First big night of Cork manager Peadar Healy's tenure in charge.

Division Two

Cavan v Armagh, Breffni Park, 7.0 – A high-stakes game for both teams here, not forgetting a little teaser of their Ulster championship meeting in June, back at the same venue. Last weekend saw them both record their first victory of the campaign and now comes the chance move further away from relegation, while perhaps closing back in on promotion. Cavan have Seanie Johnston's return to thank for their win over Meath, somehow recovering from an eight-point second-half deficit to win by seven – while Armagh huffed and puffed past Fermanagh, suggesting Cavan have the momentum to prevail in this game.

Tyrone v Derry, Healy Park, 7.0 – Another Ulster derby with all the baggage that comes with it, particularly as another Tyrone victory could effectively seal promotion, even at this early stage of the season. With three wins from three and Seán Cavanagh back in their starting line-up there's nothing to suggest they won't take the points here too, even if they blew a little hot and cold against Laois last weekend. Derry blew mostly cold against Galway the last day, two late goals flattering them enormously, and with manager Damien Barton serving an eight-week sideline ban, nothing is likely to come easy for them at Healy Park.

Division Four

Waterford v Wexford, Fraher Field, 7.0 – Beating London by 23 points last Sunday can only have lifted Wexford's spirits, and they should lift themselves into a promotional position with another win here, even if Waterford always put up sturdy opposition at Fraher Field.

SUNDAY

Division One

Roscommon v Down, Pearse Park, Longford – The sheer haplessness involved in Roscommon not being able to make Dr Hyde Park available for these games must make supporters in the county bug-eyed with frustration. Especially since the team is in such sparkling form, having gone to Killarney and Cork and won. Conor Daly comes in for his brother Niall but otherwise they're unchanged from last week. Down are in freefall and are everyone's favourite opponents at the minute. Injuries have piled up and it became clearer this week that they won't be seeing either Benny Coulter or Marty Clarke anytime soon. Even when they were going well, Roscommon beat them twice last year. Hard to make a case for a turnaround here.

Monaghan v Mayo, Clones, 2.30 – Hands up who thought there'd still be snow on the ground as Mayo faced into their first must-win game of 2016. Three games, three defeats is, shall we say, unhelpful to anyone who backed the players in their putsch last year. They look like being without Keith Higgins for the next month but Seamie O'Shea, Chris Barrett and Andy Moran are all back. Monaghan are without Kieran Hughes, with Daniel McKenna coming in to replace him. For all their fine play in Croke Park last Saturday, they still lost and a second defeat in a row would drag them into the relegation chatter. Plenty at stake for both sides.

Kerry v Donegal, Austin Stack Park, 2.30 ( Live, TG4) – The most interesting titbit out of last Sunday for Kerry was obviously the positioning of Paul Murphy at centre-forward. Éamonn Fitzmaurice likes him a half-forward that works and toils and tracks so it will be interesting to see how much of a go he gives it and whether he sees it as a summer option. For Donegal, everything has gone right so far. Neil Gallagher's attempt to start his season crashed on the rocks of an early black card when he came off the bench against Mayo so he'll likely see a good chunk of time here.

Division Two

Fermanagh v Laois, Brewster Park, 2.0 – Whatever feel good factor Laois may have found with their opening round win over Armagh has promptly disappeared, and, although they competed well against Tyrone last weekend, are struggling to hit regular scores. Given Fermanagh's equally precarious position this promises to be a sort of relegation dogfight, and that's where home advantage can make the difference. Fermanagh have Seán Quigley suspended but manager Pete McGrath will still fancy taking the points here.

Galway v Meath, Pearse Stadium, 2.0 – From the sublime to the horrible, Meath's initially promising campaign is now in danger of crumbling, or worse. They were eight points up on Cavan at half-time last Sunday, yet lost by seven, and another defeat will end any hope of promotion. A buoyant Galway, who controlled Derry the last day, appear to have enough scoring potential to win this with a little room to spare, unless Meath can rediscover some of the verve they showed the first day out against Armagh.

Division Three

Tipperary v Offaly, Seán Treacy Park, Tipperary Town, 12.30 –Weather or no weather, it's poor form by the Tipperary County Board to move the footballers out of Thurles for the second time in this campaign while leaving the hurlers in it. Liam Kearns has held his side together with sticky tape so far but this is their biggest test yet. Offaly are motoring and can make their break for second spot in the table here.

Kildare v Limerick, Newbridge, 1.30 – Top against bottom, with the gap only likely to widen. Limerick manager John Brudair is somewhat double-booked here as his Milford camogie team are in the All-Ireland final at 3.15 in Croke Park. This will occupy him first and it's hard to see a result going his way. Kildare have Alan Smith, Emmet Bolton and Tommy Moolick back in harness – although the latter two are named on the bench.

Clare v Westmeath, Cusack Park, Ennis, 2.0 – Two wins in 17 games is Westmeath's league record since spring 2014, a campaign they opened playing Cork and Dublin in Division One. Now they can't buy a win in Division Three. Clare have already put Sligo and Limerick away and with David Tubridy and Shane McGrath clicking, they can extend Westmeath's tale of woe.

Sligo v Longford, Markievicz Park, 2.30 – No need to look too hard to see what's holding Sligo and Longford back so far – they're only averaging between 11 and 12 points a game apiece. Sligo are pretty toothless without Adrian Marren and David Kelly and Longford are one of only two teams (along with Down) yet to score a goal. Home advantage could tell.

Division Four

London v Antrim, Ruislip, 1.0 – It's sad to see London's progress of recent seasons disappear so quickly, partly explained perhaps by the change in management, and Antrim, with three wins from three, can only offer further reminder of that.

Leitrim v Louth, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 2.0 – Luck hasn't been on Leitrim's side so far this season but more importantly no winning points have either, and with Louth in contrast building confidence that trend is likely to continue.

Wicklow v Carlow, Aughrim, 2.30 – Wicklow's measly 1-2 against Louth last weekend promptly burst any early season enthusiasm, and with Carlow showing a little more consistency, the old fortress Aughrim is there for the ransack.