(All games 2.30pm unless stated)

Division One

Mayo v Derry, Ballina– Derry are proof the league is a complicated mistress. Hopes were high after their form in last year's competition. Now they head to O'Mahony country starting from scratch.

Damien Cassidy is without several big names for this fixture and the prolific Paddy Bradley starts on the bench. Conor Mortimer is a doubt for Mayo.

The home team are always good value on their home patch and will be anxious to build some momentum in this competition.

Westmeath v Galway, Mullingar– Can the flintiest defence in the land carry their form into last year? Westmeath have built a reputation for giving nothing cheaply and Galway will test their mettle in this intriguing game. Gary O'Donnell will partner Barry Cullinane at midfield, an area where the Tribesmen failed to impose themselves last year. Joe Bergin, cursed with injuries in recent years, will operate at wing forward.

Galway are capable of scintillating football and will hope to build on what was a promising season with a win here.

Kerry v Donegal, Tralee– The newly-crowned McKenna Cup champions travel to Kerry under the watch of new manager and 1992 All-Ireland medallist John Joe Doherty.

The Glen man has bravely shown faith in the young team who landed the January silverware and thus no less than 10 regular first-team men find themselves waiting in the wings.

Donegal have developed an irreverent habit of beating Kerry in the league, but that may end here. The meeting of these two west coast communities always makes for a good weekend, the football should be open and the swearing bilingual.

Division Two

Wexford v Armagh, Wexford Park– There is an obvious sub-plot to opening proceedings here. Last August, Wexford came to Croke Park for an All-Ireland quarter-final and inflicted an 1-14 to 0-12 defeat on Armagh.

The Ulster team are notoriously slow starters in the league, plus are back in experimental mode, while Jason Ryan has announced a relatively strong Wexford line-up including forwards Ciarán Lyng, PJ Banville, Matty Forde that suggests the home side can take the points.

Fermanagh v Monaghan, Enniskillen– Monaghan's early championship defeat at the hands of Fermanagh was one of the shocks of last summer, given their provincial ambitions, at least.

Malachy O’Rourke now faces into the difficult second year as Fermanagh manager and he is missing a few first-choice players, such as midfielder Mark Murphy, who is currently in Australia.

Monaghan may just have the greater incentive for victory.

Cork v Meath, Páirc Uí Chaoimh– Behind all the bitterness and cursing of the Cork hurling crisis, Conor Counihan has been quietly going about business on the football front.

He’s brought back some of the big names for the opening NFL game, including Graham Canty (at centre back), Alan Quirke, Anthony Lynch, Noel O’Leary, John Miskella, Donnacha O’Connor and Michael Cussen.

Meath don’t usually travel well in the league, and with five debutants in the team (goalkeeper Paddy O’Rourke, and Barry Regan, David Bray, Stephen McKenna and Damian Sheridan), they may surrender to Cork’s better form.

Laois v Kildare, Portlaoise– Nothing like the old neighbourly rivalry to bring out the best in these teams. They were both relegated from Division One last season so promotion is the obvious ambition.

Kildare seemed to be going well in the O’Byrne Cup before crashing out to DCU, though manager Kieran McGeeney welcomes back the veteran pair Dermot Earley and John Doyle for their first starts of the season, along with defender Mick Foley.

The conveyor belt of underage might not be what it was, but Laois always have the potential to mix it with the best, particularly at home.

Division Three

Roscommon v Offaly, Dr Hyde Park– Former county star and All-Ireland minor winning manager Fergal O'Donnell has taken one of the most difficult jobs in football, if Roscommon's recent managerial record is anything to go by.

Offaly are in a sort of rebuilding period of their own, under new manager Richie Connor, having come up from Division Four, and the only obvious pointer towards Roscommon is home advantage.

Longford v Cavan, Longford– A game that marks the first seriously competitive outing for two familiar names in football – Glen Ryan as Longford manager, and Tommy Carr as Cavan boss.

Ryan is without star forward Brian Kavanagh and is still building a panel, while Carr has benefited from some encouraging results in the Dr McKenna Cup that should give his team the marginal edge.

Louth v Limerick, Drogheda– There's no denying Louth were the team of the early season in Leinster, easing their way to victory in the O'Byrne Cup, and easing into the new yellow-card rules too, so no surprise that manager Eamon McEneaney has kept faith with the same starting 15 who claimed that title over DCU last Sunday.

Limerick’s visit perhaps presents their toughest challenge so far, but with their manager Mickey Ned O’Sullivan in more experimental mode, Louth’s winning run should continue.

Tipperary v Down, Semple Stadium– After narrowly failing to gain promotion last year Down won't want to slip up this time, and the journey to Semple Stadium should set them on the right trail.

Although Tipperary looked good in promotion last year, there is still a gulf in class here that favours Down.

Division Four

Sligo v Kilkenny, Markievicz Park– In all his years in Gaelic football, this may be Kevin Walsh's first encounter with the Cats football team. He's picked three debutants and Keith Raymond at full forward is one to watch. The evergreen Eamon O'Hara is at number 11.

Carlow v Clare, Dr Cullen Park– Luke Dempsey brings experience and a track record to Carlow as they try to move up a notch. A win here is critical.

Carlow won the corresponding fixture last year and Clare are in the midst of an injury crisis, resulting in three debutants in the defence.

London v Leitrim, Ruislip, 1pm – Three years ago, Mickey Moran and John Morrison brought Mayo to an All-Ireland final. Their latest chapter starts in London. Promotion from this division is the immediate aim.

Antrim v Wicklow, Casement Park– The Tommy Murphy Cup finalists meet again. Antrim are still kicking themselves for blowing their promotion chances last year.