Ruthless and innovative - Kerry versus Mayo is a dream match-up

Things are really heating up in the Allianz Leagues and this weekend's results will give a strong indication as to who will make the top two places for league finals and bottom two for relegation.

Getting to a final gives momentum and helps team focus.

In-house games and challenge matches are beneficial to a point, but you can’t beat competitive games to prepare for championship. Relegation is not the type of preparation that is conducive to a successful summer run, and it can sow a seed of doubt in the minds of players and supporters alike.

There are intriguing games in all divisions, but the stand-out fixture is Saturday night’s game in Tralee between Kerry and Mayo.

Both teams come into this game in great form, level at the Division 1 summit on seven points.

Last time out Mayo had a hard fought win versus in-form Armagh. James Horan's side scored 0-15 against a team that have been exciting in attack and frugal in defence so far this year, yet Mayo finished strong with the last five points of the game.

Kerry, to their credit, after a slow start with a draw against Kildare, have been improving throughout the league.

In their last game away to Monaghan, they were outstanding in attack, scoring 3-14 and bar the last few minutes, very effective in defence.

Kerry and Mayo boast the best defensive records in the division, conceding only 11.5 and 12 points per game, respectively. Both are scoring well, with Kerry's 17-points average per game two better than tonight's opponents.

Both Kerry and Mayo have been consistent performers towards the business end of the seasons, contenders if not champions. In each of the last three seasons Mayo have reached at least semi-final stages of the championship, Kerry with a final and semi-final