SATURDAY
Division 1
Dublin v Derry, Croke Park, 7.0 – Dublin found their rhythm two weeks ago for the first time this season and annihilated Mayo, in the process moving back into contention for the play-offs.
This week’s revelation that Eoghan O’Gara would miss the rest of the year was bad news for Jim Gavin, as the player still looks an important part of the attacking options.
Derry have had a nightmare campaign, missing up to 20 players and getting caught late in a couple of matches.
Brian McIver’s men need a win here and a draw between Donegal and Tyrone to take their survival hopes to the final day. They beat Dublin last year but not at Croke Park where they were swatted away in the league final.
A competitive performance would appear to be the limit of realistic ambition, as the holders gradually return to full strength. Verdict : Dublin - SM
Division 2
Down v Meath, Newry, 7.0 – In a patchy division, Down have found themselves top of the table almost by default. They beat Kildare with two late goals, lost to Roscommon and turned over a five-point deficit against Galway in the last 10 minutes. So they're only a hop of a ball here or there away from being at the other end of the pile.
Meath have Kevin Reilly back – although it will be interesting to see does he line out at six as named or in his more usual full-back slot – and Eamonn Wallace will start. They've not been great but this is no forlorn trip for Mick O'Dowd's side. Verdict: Meath – MC
Cavan v Westmeath, Breffni Park, 7.0 – Cavan might well have found their feet in this division. Certainly if the evidence of the Galway game is anything to go by, Martin Dunne has managed to get his six-studs under him as demonstrated by some virtuoso point-taking in Pearse Stadium a fortnight ago.
Terry Hyland's side need to kick on now . Cavan had a point to spare when these sides met in last year's championship but they look to have more in hand now. Verdict: Cavan – MC
Laois v Kildare, Portlaoise, 7.0 – It is a little over 13 months since Kildare beat Mayo 2-19 to 2-18 in the opening game of the 2014 league. Now they're in real danger of Division 3 football.
Defeat here and they're gone if either Galway or Westmeath pick up a point in their games. They might draw some inspiration from this Laois side whose prospects looked entirely bleak after the opening two games. Verdict: Laois – MC
Division 3
Armagh v Louth, Athletic Grounds, 7.0– Louth haven't had any fear of their neighbours for a while – the last time Armagh beat them, Kieran McGeeney was sitting on the bench in 2007. But McGeeney's side will surely have too much here against the most welcoming defence in the country, one that has been conceding over 20 points a game so far. A win for Armagh will clinch promotion. Verdict: Armagh – MC
SUNDAY
Division 1
Cork v Mayo, Páirc Uí Rinn, 2.0 – Two of the most consistent league teams in the past five years but Cork look in better fettle at this stage. Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes maintain their carousel selections with six changes on this occasion.
Allowing that a few first-choices aren’t available it is however an interesting team, relocating Donal Vaughan into the half backs, twinning Tom Parsons and Barry Moran at centrefield, giving Danny Kirby a run at full forward and placing Ger Cafferkey at corner back.
After the pasting by Dublin Mayo need to steady the ship but they're going in against a confident Cork side with momentum after a morale-boosting recovery and win in Omagh. Verdict: Cork – SM
Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey – Given recent defensive configurations these teams may end up be facing each other across a vast no-man's land.
As if the pressure of the counties’ impending championship meeting (seven weeks away) wasn’t enough to make this edgy, the losers will be in grave danger of relegation.
It's been a bit baffling for Tyrone who have done well in recent matches but just failed to close out the result, losing what should have been decisive leads against both Cork and Dublin. The evidence suggests that the forwards can do damage but even the defensive set-up isn't keeping the water out for 70 minutes. Verdict: Tyrone – SM
Kerry v Monaghan, Austin Stack Park – Kerry, apart from the mysteries of the trip to Cork, have been going well in the league and they battled hard against a determined Donegal challenge the last time out.
It’s also been a good season for Monaghan, who have taken three wins and might have had another. Doubts linger over their ability to land big scores and they’ll hope to shut down the All-Ireland champions but they’ve been impressive so far despite missing important players.
Dessie Mone continues as a sweeper but managed to get up for four points from play the last day. Taking something here would be a great result for Monaghan and guarantee their top-division status as well as giving them a shout at the quarter-finals. Kerry though have enough on the bench to make sure they don't slip up. Verdict: Kerry – SM
Division 2
Roscommon v Galway Hyde Park, 1.30 – Mood music never kicked a point but if it counts for anything, Roscommon come into this in much the better fettle. Back-to-back promotion is on the cards and John Evans looks to have the best collection of young forwards outside the top division. Galway have slipped into a damnable habit of throwing away big leads – they didn't score in the second half last week. The return of the Corofin contingent hasn't come a moment too soon, ditto the return of Manus Breathnach between the posts. But it's the Rossies who have the wind at their backs. Verdict: Roscommon – MC
Division 3
Wexford v Fermanagh, Wexford Park, 1.30 – Hard to say which has been more startling – Fermanagh's ascent or Wexford's decline. Pete McGrath lost Barry Owens, Tommy McElroy and James Sherry over the winter yet his young team are unbeaten and a win here will see them into Division Two. They have best defence in the division and Wexford have the lowest-scoring attack. Verdict: Fermanagh – MC
Limerick v Clare, Newcastlewest, 3.0 – Clare are difficult to get a read on. They beat Wexford and Sligo by 14 and six points respectively but have lost their other three game by six each time. You'd imagine they have the beating of bottom-of-the-table Limerick, albeit that Ian Ryan and Derry O'Connor could return to face them. Verdict: Clare – MC
Tipperary v Sligo, Semple Stadium, 3.0 – Tipperary are coming across injuries at just the wrong time. Already without Ciaran McDonald and Michael Quinlivan, they've lost Barry Grogan and Brian Fox for this.
Sligo have their own worries, with Charlie Harrison out for the year. But with Adrian Marren, David Kelly and Mark Breheny all in decent form, they should have the scoring power to prevail. Verdict: Sligo – MC
Division Four
Longford v Offaly Pearse Park, 3.0 – Verdict: Longford
London v Waterford Ruislip, 1.0 – Verdict: Waterford
Antrim v Wicklow Corrigan Park, 2.0 – Verdict: Antrim
Carlow v Leitrim Dr Cullen Park, 3.0 – Verdict: Carlow
