This weekend's clash between Galway and Derry will be a difficult game to call. Both teams have displayed some excellent form over the last couple of months and will be contrasting styles to the contest.
The tactical approach of the manages will go a long way to deciding the outcome.
We know what to expect from Rory Gallagher's Derry team at this stage. They will pack the defence, attempting to turn the opposition over and break at speed once they do. It was proven to be a remarkably effective method of both attack and defence up to this point in the championship.
Padraic Joyce will certainly have a plan to deal with that, with a couple of possible solutions in mind.
Peter Canavan identifies where Galway could target Derry
One way to get in behind the deep lying Derry defence would be to turnover possession before they are allowed to set up. That would involve pressing the opposition kick-out, something Peter Canavan feels Galway are likely to do.
Writing in his column for Sky Sports, the Tyrone legend feels that Joyce will look to rattle Derry goalkeeper Odhrán Lynch in this fixture, just as they did during their win in the league earlier this year.
Knowing Joyce, he'll go for it. Galway will be looking for goals, like when the sides met in the National League earlier this year. You'd be foolish to look too much into that March clash, in the context of Saturday.
But Galway went after Derry goalkeeper Odhrán Lynch that day.
Rory Gallagher's side were missing some key players, and the men in maroon pushed up on the kick-outs. Galway have a physical presence around the midfield, and they cracked Derry.
I think they're going to have to do that again at Croke Park.
The danger with that is you can leave yourself open over the top for a long one.
In the Ulster final, Donegal intended to target Derry's restarts. But it wasn't until the 24th minute that Donegal won their first kick-out. The Oak Leaf County get so many players back, maybe 10 or 11 inside their own 45, so they will be wanting to hit it short.
If Galway push up and are really aggressive, don't be surprised to see Derry try to hit them over the top.
One thing going in Galway's favour is a stronger bench.
The longer the game goes on, even if it goes to extra-time, Joyce will be happy with that. He had players that came on and made a difference the last day. I certainly believe it is the one factor that Derry struggle on if they were to pick up any injuries. Their strength in depth is not where I believe where Rory Gallagher would want it to be.
This will certainly be something to keep an eye on in Saturday's game, although it will only be one on a long list of factors that will decide the outcome.
It should be a massively interesting tactical battle.
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