National Hurling League (3.30 unless stated)

Division One A

Offaly v Clare, Birr

It may be hard to know what to make of Ger Loughnane's lament after last week's defeat by Limerick; but from chuckling references to "the usual thrashing by Galway" which was his reaction to Clare's previous National League loss, to the dropping of 13 players in the aftermath of last Sunday's defeat by Limerick certainly represents something of a mood swing.

Maybe there is genuine alarm that what used to be the team's great strength - the ability to come good for the championship - is waning and that new faces may be needed. Anyway, this trip represents a fair test for the radically revised selection. Offaly's Birr players are returning, and after an insipid display against Limerick Pat Fleury's team is approaching full strength, although Brian Whelahan and Kevin Kinahan are missing. Colm Cassidy formally steps into the shoes of Martin Hanamy, who recently confirmed his retirement.

Home win.

Limerick v Dublin, Kilmallock (Live on TG4 at 3.20)

After the eye-catching win in Milltown, Limerick face a different sort of challenge. Dublin have played reasonably well so far - although nearly suffering meltdown against Antrim - and, like their opponents, are are very keen to win their League matches.

Eamonn Cregan's young side have been impressive at both ends of the field with TJ Ryan playing encouragingly at full back and Brian Begley adding a considerable presence at full forward. Limerick should maintain their 100 per cent record, but if Dublin can avoid the occasional lulls which have undermined their performances to date, they'll make a good match of it.

Antrim v Kerry, Casement Park

In Parnell Park, Antrim's penchant for late goalscoring nearly yielded results. Here, however, Kerry's tendency to leak goals (seven last week and on average four per match) looks most relevant.

Division One B

Laois v Waterford, Portlaoise

A new Laois manager, Sean Cuddy, and a gang of returned prodigals - Niall Rigney and Paul and David Cuddy - await Waterford. Yet the visitors are hurling with great conviction, with late-scoring rampages through Wexford, Kilkenny and Cork (curiously, five of their six goals came from substitutes). A good performance will suffice for Laois, but Waterford should win.

Cork v Tipperary, Pairc Ui Chaoimh

Much of the traditional status of this fixture is restored with tomorrow's meeting between the All-Ireland champions and League holders. In the context of the current League, it is also an important match. If Tipperary want to progress to the semi-finals, they need to win, while Cork will be anxious - after defeats by Waterford and Kilkenny - not to lose to every half-decent team in the division.

Fourteen of Cork's All-Ireland team have been re-assembled by Jimmy Barry-Murphy and they may well prove too economical for a Tipperary side who struggled against Kilkenny and failed to get the most from some good individual performances when beating Wexford by a fraction of what would have been a representative margin.

Kilkenny v Derry, Nowlan Park, 2.00

Kilkenny have been going well to date and performances matched results in the Cork and Tipperary fixtures. Even against Waterford, where they suffered a late collapse, they had played some spellbinding stuff in the opening quarter.

Derry have found life at the top much as they must have expected. Ollie Collins and Geoffrey McGonigle made a fair impact against Wexford but it's a struggle, and they will not take points here.

Division Two

London v Wicklow, Ruislip, 3.00

Closely matched in the table, separated by .024 of a scoring average, neither team is in the promotion frame. Away win.

Roscommon v Kildare, Athleague

Roscommon's poor season to continue with the visit of Kildare who have done comparatively well this season.

Westmeath v Armagh, Castletowngeoghegan

Substantial win likely for Westmeath, who can push Armagh's scoring average ever-closer to zero.

Carlow v Meath, Dr Cullen Park

Top-of-the-table meeting of leaders Meath and second-placed Carlow. The visitors are the League's top scorers and should copper-fasten their status as promotion front-runners.

Down v Tyrone, Portaferry

Pointless Tyrone are unlikely to secure any respite from this trip. Down aren't entirely out of the promotion race, although the draw with Kildare will probably come back to haunt them.

Division Three

Sligo v Monaghan, Markievicz Park: HOME win.

Louth v Longford, Dundalk:

First plays second, and with a home win likely, the positions will stay that way.

Donegal v Fermanagh, Ballybofey

Fermanagh to get off the bottom.

Cavan v Leitrim, Breffni Park, 1.45

Leitrim's improved form to give Cavan another pointless journey.