Laois set to edge out Westmeath
ALLIANZ FL DIVISION 2
WESTMEATH v LAOIS
(Mullingar, Tomorrow 2.30)
TWO teams badly in need of a win here, but both with at least some reason to be cheerful this week. Laois might have taken something from their one-point loss to Armagh but showed an appetite for battle not apparent in their earlier two losses.
Westmeath almost took two points from Navan for the first time since 1960 but for some jittery free-taking and a subsequent lack of concentration to stop Stephen Bray's late score and Brendan Hackett is further boosted by the return to the county squad of Martin Flanagan this week.
Flanagan, one of the heroes of 2004, was thought to have retired and while he is unlikely to start, the Tyrrellspass man at least provides some strength from the bench.
Hackett will press ahead without five under-21 players, who are out against Laois on St Patrick's Day and that could be the difference for Seán Dempsey's men.
ODDS: Westmeath 6/4, Draw 15/2, Laois 4/6
VERDICT: Laois
