Two weeks ago the National Hurling League started off with a card of fixtures that looked lack lustre on paper (only one game did not have a favourite starting at odds of shorter than 1/3 and that game ended up being a cakewalk) and it was only redeemed by a wonderful performance from Dublin as they drew with the League and All Ireland champions in Parnell Park, a draw that could easily have been a win if the referee had given them a deserved free in the closing minute. In contrast, this Sunday we have five games where on paper the result could go either direction, although among those five games Clare look absolute certainties at odds of 2/7 at home to Wexford. However regular followers of this column will already have invested in the Banner men to top this group, so rather than run the risk of losing two weeks worth of stakes, we'll spread the wealth elsewhere - though if you're not already involved in Tony Considine's men, adding them into your bets to bring up the value might be no bad idea at all. The live game this week is Kilkenny against Tipperary with the Cats decent favourites at 4/9. If Galway or Limerick were visiting Nowlan Park we'd be very keen to oppose the black and amber men. Without Cha Fitzpatrick and the great Henry Shefflin they lack a variety of scoring threats and one fears for them right now if Eddie Brennan and Aidan Fogarty were to lose form since they possess no other forward currently playing well. But they are still All-Ireland champions, and in order to oppose a team like that, you have to have something strong to oppose them with, and if Tipp can't beat Limerick at home, they don't constitute something strong enough. However they might score the first goal, and are odds against to do so at Ladbrokes price of 5/4. This bet, with a saver on Fogarty for first goalscorer at 10/1, has the makings of a shrewd play. For our other bet, we're going to look to the Sigerson Cup, the finals weekend of which is on in Queen's University this weekend. The hosts at even money are good favourites and represent value having comfortably accounted for UCD in the quarter finals. Playing two games in two days is a big ask, even for very fit students, and without question the biggest advantage Queen's hold is their draw - they meet Cork IT in the semi final. The Cork side have done all that's been asked of them so far, but they mainly owe their progress thus far to the poor opponents that have stood in their way, none of which would hold a candle to any of this weekend's contenders. Indeed of the colleges no longer in contention, UCD, DCU, St. Mary's and Garda are just some of those who would fancy themselves strongly in a game against Cork IT were it to come about. Match odds of 1/4 reflect the likelighood of Queen's having a comfortable encounter in the semi and with Sligo IT and Jordanstown likely to go to the wire in the other match, this freshness could be the crucial factor in Queen's going that one step further than they managed in 2006 when DCU edged them in the final. TO PLACE YOUR BETS, CLICK HERE NOW LADBROKES Tweet

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