Odds quoted are from Paddy Power On bare form, the outcome of today's game is a no-brainer. Dublin have not beaten Kerry in the championship in 30 years. Last year, the team that beat Dublin in the semi-final got dismembered by Kerry in the final. This year, Dublin have beaten Meath and Derry. Kerry have beaten Cork, who beat Meath, and Monaghan, who beat Derry. In their quarterfinal, Kerry pegged back their opposition in a game they looked like losing. Dublin, well, let's just say Dublin haven't done that in a while. The players' distasteful histrionics in their Leinster final win smack of a manager trying to find some backbone in a side known for misplacing its spine somewhere around the 60-minute mark. The win over Derry certainly didn't disprove that notion.

Dublin's one hope is that Mark Vaughan (right), Alan Brogan and co can find sufficient momentum to build up an unassailable lead. And barring a Kieran Donaghy-induced meltdown of their full-back line, Dublin are the team most likely to be leading at halftime. Unless that lead is double figures though, there's few that would bet against Kerry overhauling them. Kerry have more options off the bench late in the game and Paul Caffrey is unlikely to have suddenly found a remedy for Dublin's business-end ills. Kerry to advance from behind.

BACK NEWCASTLE UNITED TO BEAT MIDDLESBROUGH IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE THIS AFTERNOON 17-10

Odds quoted are from Paddy Power Last week's painfully dull scoreless draw against Aston Villa provided more evidence for those concerned Newcastle's entertainment value would recede under the stewardship of Sam Allardyce. "The quicker we get to double figures in terms of clean sheets the quicker we get into the top half of the table, " said their unrepentant manager afterwards. For a side that has provided such black comedy over the years, this should come as bittersweet news for the Geordie faithful. While the scoreless draw is again tempting at 15-2, today's Tyne-Tees derby provides a perfect opportunity for the Toon to pick up three points on the road.

Middlesbrough are without Jonathan Woodgate and Emmanuel Pogatetz at the back, which should make corners fun for Mark Schwarzer with the likes of Mark Viduka lurking. Meanwhile, the departure of Aiyegbeni Yakubu and doubts surrounding Mido's ankle mean Gareth Southgate isn't exactly brimming with options up front. Michael Owen came through his midweek international unscathed and could prove an effective impact substitute.

Just crazy enough to work. . .

BACK VALENCIA TO WIN LA LIGA 12-1 (Paddy Power) Before the Premier League started, Liverpool, as third favourites, were no better than 5-1 for the title, despite the fact they haven't mounted a serious challenge for years. Meanwhile, before the La Liga season kicks off, it's possible to back a side who were in contention until the final weeks of last season until an bad run of injury luck finally caught up with them. With top players back in harness, such as Edu (right), there's every chance they could challenge Spain's big two.