Kilkenny v Dublin Prediction, Betting Tips & Odds [2025]
| Timetable | 18th May, 15:00 GMT |
| Prediction | Kilkenny To Win! |
| Odds | 1.01 |
| Bookmaker | Lunubet Sports |
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Dublin make the trip to Nowlan Park on Sunday with a real opportunity to see where the season is at for boss Niall Ó Ceallacháin and his side. The men from the capital have three wins on the board so far but now face the acid test. Kilkenny and their boss Derek Lyng will be content with how things are panning out so far, also sitting with three wins from three, but they, too, will know that there are more severe tests waiting.
Both teams eased to wins last weekend without really coming out of second gear as Offaly and Antrim were brushed to one side. This should prove a different tale. Below is our prediction for Sunday's showdown and you can find the best advice for your punting plans by consulting our sports bookie reviews for a comprehensive guide to the best placed to place your bets.
🏆 Kilkenny v Dublin Prediction
Kilkenny took care of Offaly last weekend, racking up a handsome tally of 4-25 on the scoreboard and that contest marked the first Championship start of the year for the effervescent TJ Reid. Bringing back the seven-time All-Ireland winner is quite the luxury for Derek Lyng. There was a pedestrian pace to that contest at times, with Offaly unable to lay any meaningful blows on the Cats. That should leave Kilkenny ready to fire for what promises to be a more searching test of their credentials now in the biggest game of the 2025 Leinster Hurling Championship so far.
The main worry for Dublin and boss Niall Ó Ceallacháin is their concession of goals. They conceded six in their wins over Offaly and Wexford, and while they did shut out Antrim in Corrigan Park last time, it's a source of concern. Kilkenny are a ruthless outfit and they'll be targeting that soft centre in a bid to justify the odds as they march onwards towards a sixth straight Leinster title.
OUR PREDICTION: 🏆 KILKENNY TO WIN 🏆
💯 Kilkenny v Dublin Betting Odds
Perennial Leinster kingpins Kilkenny are hot favourites to win the Bob O'Keeffe Cup for the sixth year in a row, and they are expected to take care of Dublin in Nowlan Park on Sunday. Derek Lyng's side have a trip to Wexford to finish things off, so a win here will all but secure top spot and a place in the provincial decider next month.
Dublin meanwhile would be forgiven for having one eye on their round five clash with Galway in Parnell Park. With the wind in their sails, the Cats look irresistible on home soil and our Kilkenny v Dublin betting tips are built around another win for Kilkenny. Our three tips for the Nowlan Park tussle are below and with another bumper weekend of GAA action in store, why not check out these free bets offers before making your punting picks.
✔️ Kilkenny v Dublin Betting Tips
- Tip 1: Kilkenny -5.5 points handicap: The Cats have been coming home with the cream in Leinster so far, boasting winning margins of 12, 18 and 15 points in three games. Take Kilkenny -5.5 points which is priced at 1.85 at DirectionBet. Kilkenny have been going through their Leinster journey with some ease so far and that trend may continue here. They had 12 points to spare against Galway in round one, 18 in hand over Antrim in round two and a 15-point gap over Wexford last time. Dublin will pertain to be a bigger challenge but Kilkenny's quality will shine through over 70 minutes and a 5.5 point handicap is one they can overcome in Nowlan Park.
- Tip 2: Over 3.5 goals: Both of these counties have been finding the net with regularity. Kilkenny have averaged three goals per game and Dublin have scored seven in their three outings, though they have also shipped six at the other end. Kilkenny are averaging three goals per game in their Leinster SHC journey to this point. Dublin leaked six goals in their opening two wins over Offaly and Wexford. The Boys in Blue have, though, scored seven goals in three games themselves. Our advice ahead of this seismic clash is to peruse the best betting sites for the various markets offered and get on the goal trail again.
- Tip 3: TJ Reid over 9.5 points: There were no signs of rust from TJ Reid as the veteran hit 2-09 in his first start of the Championship against Offaly last week. He can get into double figures again as he looks to repeat the 2-06 tally of last year's Leinster final win over the Dubs. TJ Reid looked fit and lean in the win over Offaly last time. He scored 2-09, including seven from frees, and the Ballyhale Shamrocks clubman should see another start coming his way now before possible getting a rest for the trip to Wexford in round five. The veteran forward should fire his way into double figures against the Dubs.
⚽ Kilkenny Squad Form
TJ Reid led the way for the Cats last week and should earn another start now as he builds back to full fitness. Billy Ryan and John Donnelly also pitched in, while Fionán Mackessy caught the eye with a superb point in his short spell on the field and he'll be eyeing another cameo now. The Dubs must be on guard from the start, as Offaly found themselves nine points behind as early as the 12th minute last weekend.
⚽ Dublin Squad Form
Dublin cantered to a third-straight win in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship as they took care of business against Antrim at a sunny Corrigan Park last weekend but they'll meet a different challenge in Nowlan Park. Niall Ó Ceallacháin will be pleased with what his side has produced so far and his first season is going to plan. Sean Currie's accuracy from frees was crucial last week and the Dubs will lean on him again to keep the scoreboard ticking. This is a major ask, however, and the looming visit of Galway to Parnell Park is the more pressing matter.
👕 Kilkenny v Dublin Predicted Lineups
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✒️ Kilkenny vs Dublin - H2H Stats
Kilkenny are the dominant force in modern hurling and their grip on Leinster remains vice-like as they aim for six straight provincial titles this season. The Dubs last won Leinster in 2013, after dismissing the Cats in a memorable semi-final replay in Croke Park. The latest Kilkenny v Dublin H2H stats favour the hosts, with Kilkenny unbeaten in 12 years.
🎯 Updates from GAA Twitter (X)
Kilkenny and Dublin are the last remaining unbeaten teams in the Leinster SHC as they prepare for a Sunday afternoon showdown in Nowlan Park. The Cats will aim to be purring once more on their own patch. It's a massive tussle and GAA fans will be asking what channel is Kilkenny v Dublin on? GAA+ is the place to catch the action on Sunday afternoon.
Seven-time All-Ireland winner TJ Reid has no intentions of slowing down at 37
Enda McElhinney
Enda McElhinney is an Irish-based sportswriter, specialising in written content on the GAA, horse racing and football. He has more than a decade of experience across many publications, bringing a wealth of knowledge and betting nous to his craft. You'll find his content featured on many websites, including The Telegraph and Planet Sport. When he isn't at this desk or the racecourse, he loves to unwind on the golf course – though sometimes that can be more stressful than working!