It's the seventh round of games in the Allianz Football League with plenty of promotion spots up for grabs and demotion to try and avoid. Here are our previews:

 

Sunday, March 25th

Allianz FL Division 1 round 7

Dublin v Monaghan, Croke Park, 3pm - TG4 (deferred)

When these two met at headquarters back in August things went very much according to script for the All-Ireland champions and it's hard to envisage an upset here, even with some of the scalps Monaghan have taken in this division.

Malachy O'Rourke's men have delivered consistency throughout their most recent stay in Division 1 and last weekend's six-point defeat of Donegal ensured them of another stay in the topflight.

As for Dublin, they hit their first bump in the road in a competitive outing since last April's league final loss to Kerry in Salthill this past Bank Holiday Sunday with a draw against Galway.

This game, in effect, is a dead-rubber affair with the Dubs and the Tribesmen already through to the competition's final on Easter Sunday.

However, you can be sure Monaghan would love to book a win on this occasion and turn a few heads before their attentions switch towards that mouth-watering Ulster SFC quarter-final against Tyrone on May 20th.

Verdict: Dublin

Donegal v Mayo, Ballybofey, 3pm - TG4

The stakes will be plenty high when these two face-off in Ballybofey on Sunday as the losers will be following Kildare into Division 2 for next season.

Donegal are slight favourites and probably deservingly so with home advantage, as well as their opponents missing their two most influential players for the crucial trip north.

Neither Lee Keegan nor Cillian O'Connor will don Mayo's colours this weekend and it leaves Stephen Rochford having to replace two players which are arguably irreplaceable for this 'winner takes all' affair.

On the flip side, only a win will do for the Tir Chonaill men and they're set to be without their own ace attacker in Paddy McBrearty so it could end up going right down to the wire.

Verdict: Draw

Kildare v Galway, Newbridge, 3pm

It's a repeat of last year's Division 2 decider and what contrasting league form these two have displayed since then.

Galway fans could hardly have dreamed of their team taking Division 1 by storm in the way that they have over these past seven weeks and, to top it all off, they denied the mighty Dubs both points in Salthill on St Patrick's weekend.

Kevin Walsh's side now look forward to a rematch with the capital men on Easter Sunday but first it's a trip east to Newbridge where the Lilywhites will look to salvage a first win in their last outing in Division 1 until at least 2020.

A lot will depend on the Tribesmen's selection of course, but you get the feeling they should continue their winning ways when they arrive at St Conleth's Park.

Verdict: Galway

Tyrone v Kerry, Healy Park, 3pm

Mickey Harte has spoken ahead of this one of Tyrone's poor record against Kerry in recent league meetings between the two and how he's eager for that to change.

Last year's meeting in Killarney saw the Kingdom put up 1-21 in a seven-point victory over the Ulster champions, but it's difficult to envisage a similar margin on Sunday.

Eamonn Fitzmaurice's side scored a crucial win over Kildare the last day but they were far from convincing at times and their mixed form to date this season is part of the reason why they're 11/8 underdogs for the trip up to Omagh.

Tyrone have not sparkled in this campaign either. In fact, score difference is the only thing that separates them from Sunday's opponents in the league table but, going by the manner of their victory over Mayo last weekend, they're the fancied side here.

Verdict: Tyrone

Allianz FL Division 2 round 7

Roscommon v Cork, Dr Hyde Park, 3pm

These two meet in their final round game on Sunday needing wins for different reasons.

For Roscommon, victory guarantees an immediate return to Division 1 next season while Cork are looking for the two points at Dr Hyde Park in order to ensure they won't be playing their league football in Division 3 in 2019.

The Rossies and the Rebels had been favourites for promotion from the outset and we expect the former to hold up their end of the bargain this weekend.

Verdict: Roscommon

Meath v Down, Pairc Tailteann, 3pm

It's a genuine real four-pointer in Navan on Sunday as the winners will be leaving the losers right on the brink of Division 3 football for next season.

Defeat for Meath ends all hope for Andy McEntee's men ahead of their last game with Louth while Down could still manage the great escape in Round 7 if they lose this weekend.

It's the kind of occasion where form usually goes out the window, making it all the tougher to call, and one the Royals could well rise to with home advantage in their favour.

Verdict: Meath

Clare v Louth, Cusack Park, 3pm

A pointless Louth side travel to take on a Clare outfit bidding to finish their Division 2 campaign on eight points following two of each in the wins, draws and losses categories.

Last time out, the Banner men scored a colossal win over Cork - their first in the league in 22 years - and are 1/6 favourites to hand Pete McGrath's side their sixth consecutive defeat of the campaign.

With David Tubridy and Eoin Cleary in their arsenal, the hosts should ensure a winning finish in this one.

Verdict: Clare

Cavan v Tipperary, Kingspan Breffni, 3pm

The winners of this one will be promoted to Division 1 next season - it's that simple.

Cavan fans will need no reminding that when these two met last year it was their side that blew a six-point lead at half-time, as the Breffni men slipped out of the qualifiers to a fired-up Tipperary outfit on their own home turf.

There'll be no cause for extra incentive on Sunday and, with plenty of talent littered throughout both teams, it's a game that has all the ingredients for a real thriller to unfold at Kingspan Breffni on Sunday afternoon.

Verdict: Cavan

Allianz FL Division 3 round 7

Wexford v Armagh, Innovate Wexford Park, 1pm

Armagh's place in Division 2 is sealed for next season and Kieran McGeeney could be poised to give a few players a rest ahead of next weekend's league final date.

Relegated Wexford still await their first win of the campaign but aren't fancied to do so when the high-flying Orchard men come to town.

Verdict: Armagh

Longford v Fermanagh, Pearse Park, 3pm

Rory Gallagher's Fermanagh side head for Pearse Park needing a win for an immediate return to Division 2, as Longford's score difference currently stands at nine points better than theirs.

It's the defining game of the campaign for both these two and the Ernesiders' front men could be what makes the difference in what is sure to be a tense and tight affair against the Midlanders.

Verdict: Fermanagh

Sligo v Derry, Markievicz Park, 3pm

Winning guarantees safety for either of these two on Sunday and the formbook from last weekend suggest Derry will pick up the points in this one.

Sligo played out a tedious 0-8 apiece draw with Offaly on Monday while the Oak Leafers were far more convincing in hitting 2-20 to relegate Wexford 24 hours previous.

Verdict: Derry

Westmeath v Offaly, TEG Cusack Park, 3pm

Westmeath will need to win this one by 27 points and hope that Longford and Fermanagh draw in Pearse Park in order to book a return to Division 2.

Offaly, meanwhile, need a victory to have any hope of survival and won't be expecting any favours from their neighbours in Mullingar on Sunday.

Verdict: Westmeath

Allianz FL Division 4 round 7

London v Waterford, Ruislip, 1pm

Waterford head for Ruislip looking for their first points but won't get anything easy - even in this dead rubber tie - as London look for their best finish to a league campaign.

Verdict: London

Limerick v Antrim, Newcastlewest, 1pm

Antrim need a win to have any chance of replicating Carlow for promotion and should have enough when they visit the Treaty County.

Verdict: Antrim

Carlow v Laois, Netwatch Cullen Park, 1pm

Carlow achieved promotion to Division 3 for the first time in 33 years last weekend and Laois will be keen to join their neighbours when they pay a visit to Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday.

Verdict: Laois

Leitrim v Wicklow, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, 3pm

These two will be playing for pride when they cross swords in Carrick-on- Shannon, where the hosts should fashion their second win of the competition.

Verdict: Leitrim

 

Follow all of Sunday's Allianz FL final round action as it happens on the hoganstand.com Live Match Tracker.

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