High Scoring Affair in the Hyde

The 2017 Allianz League season draws to a close this weekend and for Roscommon it could not have gone any worse. Fancied by many before the league to be relegated, they have confirmed that theory by failing to collect any points from their six matches to date. Things could have worked out differently though, especially in their game against Donegal where in stoppage time, with the game tied, Ronan Stack had his goal chance saved and Donegal broke up the field where Eoin McHugh kicked the winning score. Kevin McStay will be hoping that on home soil this Sunday, they can gather some momentum before championship by gaining victory over Cavan, which will help appease the discontented home supporters.   

 

Cavan have experienced a renaissance of late and will be buoyed by their victory over Mayo and draw against Kerry in Rounds 5 & 6. Manager Mattie McGleenan seems to have cast off the defensive shackles these past few games and its clear that this Cavan team can mix it with the best on their day. Gearoid McKiernan has been in inspired form, while positioning Dara McVeety at centre forward has worked well. The speed of their transition from defence to attack has been impressive.

 

Both teams will be looking to pick up the 2pts on offer this weekend which should lead to an open, exciting game of football. Do not write Roscommon off in this one. The table below shows how dominant they have been over Cavan in recent years. Granted, they are now without a lot of those Senior players involved in past campaigns, but when you can call on forwards like the Murtagh & Smith brothers then you have ammunition that will trouble any defence in the division.   

 

 

2014 (League)	Cavan	0-14	1-08	Roscommon	25pts
2014 (League Final) (Croke Park)	Cavan	0-18	1-17	Roscommon	38pts
2014 (Championship)	Cavan	0-05	0-16	Roscommon	21pts
2015 (League)	Roscommon	1-11	0-14	Cavan	28pts
Championship	Cavan	1-16	3-17	Roscommon	45pts
Total's	Cavan	1-67	6-69	Roscommon	157pts

 

 

Their last five meetings between league & championship have produced on average 31.4pts per game. With the weather expected to be bright and dry for Sunday, we expect another high scoring encounter. Cavans' survival hopes are quite complicated, and it may come down to score difference, especially if Mayo & Kerry lose. We expect both teams to go for this and recommend a 2.5pt stake on over 32.5pts at 5/6 with Ladbrokes.