Kildare v Westmeath Predictions, Betting Tips & Odds [2025]
| Timetable | Saturday 12th April, 19:00 GMT |
| Prediction | Kildare To Win! |
| Odds | |
| Bookmaker | Lunubet Sports |
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Kildare host Westmeath in this Leinster SFC in Newbridge with a last-four spot in the perceived easier half of the draw up for grabs. These counties have come out of a sliding doors season in the Allianz League, Kildare earning promotion from Division 3 while Westmeath are going in the opposite direction after propping up the Division 2 table. It hasn't been all a bed of roses for new Kildare boss Brian Flanagan however, as the Lilywhites were defeated in the Croke Park league final by Offaly on the final weekend in March. That was disappointing but Flanagan hopes it will light a fire within his squad to kick on in the Championship.
Westmeath have lost their Leinster SFC opener in each of the last two seasons and will be hoping to storm Newbridge, in a first Championship clash between these counties since the 2022 provincial semi-finals. Read on for our Kildare v Westmeath prediction and the latest odds from some of the best betting sites in Ireland.
🏆 Kildare vs Westmeath Prediction
Kildare have to pick themselves up from the bitter disappointment of that league final against Offaly in Croke Park, but the Lilywhites can at least console themselves with the knowledge that the primary goal of promotion from Division 3 was achieved with five wins from seven outings in a tight section.
They were level on points with the Faithful County and Clare, but a far superior scoring difference took top spot for Kildare. That looks ironic on the back of the league final, where Flanagan's side lost their way badly in front of the posts and some errant shooting cost them dearly at Croke Park.
Westmeath were largely competitive in Division 2 but Dermot McCabe's didn't pick up any wins in seven games. McCabe and assistant Mark McHugh, an All-Ireland winner with Donegal in 2012, now have to pick their side up for the Championship season ahead. They lost to Wicklow in the Leinster opener 12 months ago and while they should put up a good fight in Newbridge, Kildare are likely to make the most of home advantage and book a semi-final berth.
OUR PREDICTION: 🏆 KILDARE TO WIN 🏆
💯 Kildare vs Westmeath Betting Odds
Saturday night fever at St Conleths Park in Newbridge as Kildare and Westmeath lock horns in first of the Leinster SFC quarter-finals. With perennial Delaney Cup winners Dublin on the opposite side of the provincial draw, both these counties can have realistic ambitions of reaching a Leinster decider, something Kildare last did in 2022 and Westmeath in 2016.
Why not get geared up for the GAA season by checking out our sportsbook reviews for all the major firms. The latest Kildare v Westmeath odds suggest this is going to be a straight shootout, with counties available at EVS to win this clash.
✔️ Kildare vs Westmeath Betting Tips
Kildare were promoted from Division 3 in the Allianz League and should have major regrets over this loss in the final against Offaly as they left their shooting boots at home and went down by two points in the Croke Park clash. Contrast that to Westmeath, relegated from Division 2 after failing to win any of their seven games, and it is the Lilywhites that appeal most for this Leinster SFC tussle. Add in home advantage in Newbridge in front of what should be a bumper Saturday night crowd, and our Kildare v Westmeath prediction is for a home success, with Brian Flanagan's side expected to move on for a last-four clash with Louth or Laois.
Alex Beirne was one of the few Kildare players to emerge from the league final reverse with some credit in the bank, the Naas clubman kicking five points, including a couple from play. Beirne is now considered experienced amongst this Kildare crop, heading into his fifth Championship season in white. His prowess from dead balls will be key if Kildare are to oust Westmeath, and he's put forward to score over 4.5 points in this Leinster Football Championship contest.
Athy forward Niall Kelly is back shining in a Kildare jersey, three years on from his decision to take a step back from the county setup. At that stage Kelly admitted to concerns over whether the commitment to playing county football was a sacrifice he was willing to keep making but he's back in harness now and playing well. He scored 1-04 against Antrim in the National League last month and can raise a green flag again in Newbridge, making him the focal point in the third of our Kildare v Westmeath betting tips.
- Tip 1: Kildare to win: It's even money each of two in this Leinster contest but Kildare would surely have won their Division 3 final against Offaly bar a woeful shooting day and they may not be as wasteful now.
- Tip 2: Alex Beirne to score over 4.5 points: Alex Beirne is enjoying a good season in a Kildare jersey and his free-taking skills should see him contributing heavily here.
- Tip 2: Niall Kelly to score the first goal: Niall Kelly has long been considered one of the cleverest inside forwards in the game and he can rattle the Westmeath net.
📈 Kildare Squad Form
Kildare boss Flanagan had major reasons for frustration after watching his side amass 13 wides, and pass up several very presentable goal chances in their recent loss against Offaly in the league final. Still, the Lilywhites will feel they might well have won that game granted a better day in their shooting; they are being given a solid chance of a rebound win in their Leinster opener.
The likes of Alex Beirne, Niall Kelly and goalscorer Harry O'Neill emerged from that league decider in Croke Park with some credit and they will be eager to help the Lilywhites respond in positive fashion.
⚽ Westmeath Squad Form
Dermot McCabe and his Westmeath side endured a tough spring in the Allianz League, losing six of their seven games in Division 2 and ultimately suffering relegation without much of a fight.
They have fallen at the first hurdle in the Leinster SFC in the previous two seasons against Louth and Wicklow and could be on the end of another loss in Newbridge with confidence in the camp sure to be low following that chastening run through Division 2 of the league. Even with some generous free bet offers the run-up to this Leinster showdown, backing a Westmeath win doesn't appeal as Kildare have more wind in their sails.
👕 Kildare vs Westmeath Predicted Lineups
Kildare are likely to stick very closely to the side defeated by Offaly in the Allianz League Division 3 final in Croke Park late last month. Brian Flanagan doesn't appear to have any major injury worries coming off that defeat and, if they can sharpen up their finishing, they may get a different outcome now.
Westmeath had an extra week to prepare but Dermot McCabe has to lift the spirits in their camp after a bruising spring. They will, though, have picked up some confidence from a last-gasp draw with promoted Roscommon in Cusack Park, veteran sub Kieran Martin kicking a two-pointer to snatch that draw. In that game, Westmeath kicked five two-pointers, and the ability to pick off scores from outside the 40-metre arc could be crucial to their chances here.
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✒️ Kildare vs Westmeath - H2H Stats
The Kildare v Westmeath H2H stats favour the visiting side, with Westmeath ahead by six in the all-time list of meetings, though they have only downed the Lilywhites in the Leinster championship on two occasions, in 1960 and again in 2016.
🎯 Updates from GAA Twitter (X)
These teams are set for a major scrap in Newbridge on Saturday evening, with the carrot of a semi-final showdown against either Laois or Louth next, with Leinster kings Dublin on the opposite side of the draw.
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!