Tyrone v Dublin

Dublin may have a new-look team this season but the Metropolitans meet an old foe in the shape of Tyrone.

Although there are a lot of fresh faces in Pat Gilroy's side, the likes of Alan Brogan, David Henry and Barry Cahill will have unhappy memories of defeats at the hands of the Ulster side at the same stage in 2005 and 2008. Thankfully, from Gilroy's point of view, recent additions will not carry the same baggage.

The Dubs have had a strange summer. They relinquished the Leinster Championship crown for the first time since 2004, but the Qualifier system has given them the chance to regroup. Tipperary, Armagh and then Louth have been dismissed, with every performance showing slight improvements from the one before.

The problem for the Dubs now is that they need a vast improvement against a Tyrone team that has put together back-to-back Ulster titles for the first time under manager Mickey Harte.

The only consolation for the men from the capital is that the pressure is off as even most of their fans don't seriously believe they can and will progress to their first All-Ireland semi-final since 2007.

Like Dublin, Tyrone's form has shown an upward trajectory throughout the Championship, though they are much higher up the graph than their opponents.

They were at their suffocating best in defence against Down and Monaghan, and their attack has averaged 0-17 per game en route to their 13th Ulster title.

The only negative to come out of the Red Hands' camp is the knee trouble Tommy McGuigan is suffering and which has forced Harte to replace the Ardboe clubman with his brother, Brian.

The elder McGuigan has been selected to line out at centre-forward, with Sean Cavanagh moving into full-forward.

The Dubs will take some solace from their league win over Tyrone up in Healy Park in April - a result which consigned the hosts to Division 2 football next season. But Tyrone put little effort into their spring games, and seem to be hitting their stride at just the right time.

Verdict: Tyrone