Brendan Devenney believes that Tyrone's mixture of "desperation" and attacking firepower gives them the edge at home to Armagh in their All-Ireland group stage clash in Healy Park this evening (Live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
Both sides enter the game needing a win to jump-start their All-Ireland tilt, with Armagh still reeling from their agonising Ulster final loss and sluggish display against Westmeath, while hosts Tyrone are still mired in a championship losing streak since last summer.
Having lost a dramatic Ulster decider on penalties, Armagh needed a late goal from substitute Conor Turbitt to squeeze past the Midlanders - in the Sam Maguire race purely by virtue of their 2022 Tailteann Cup win - by a single point in the Athletic Grounds.
Former Donegal attacker Devenney was unimpressed by Armagh's staleness and passiveness in their opening group game.
"Narrowly beaten in the Ulster final, the Armagh crowd were mad to get behind them and what we saw was a really stale performance, which no one saw coming," Devenney told Game On on RTÉ 2fm.
"Not taking anything away from Westmeath, they were well set up, they played well.
"The period where Westmeath (kept possession) for almost four minutes - that's disgraceful (from Armagh) at home, that Armagh wouldn't go and attack.
"I know teams are sitting in and there's a lot of stalemates. But at home, you've got to go for it. Particularly a team like Armagh, they've got to impose themselves on the game."
Since winning the 2021 All-Ireland, Tyrone have beaten Fermanagh in last year's Ulster first-round game and then lost four successive championship clashes, the most recent against Galway in Salthill a fortnight ago.
Devenney feels that Tyrone's desperation to end this streak could give them an edge this weekend and suggests that Armagh's reliance on Rian O'Neill could play into the home side's hands.
"The fact that Armagh have two points, maybe the pressure of a victory isn't as great as on Tyrone.
"Don't forget, Tyrone have lost their last four championship games. That seems remarkable for a team that we're saying could have a tilt at the All-Ireland.
"Where are Tyrone at in terms of championship? That remains to be seen.
"There's huge pressure on them. I know the last day (against Galway), they weren't happy with (referee David) Gough. They had the sending off of Burns and the Morgan black card, and they said that maybe restricted them.
"I think Armagh don't particularly want to play Tyrone now. I think Tyrone are really smarting and are desperate for the victory.
"If Armagh hang too much of their influence on Rian O'Neill, Tyrone will look forward to that. Hampsey, McNamee and - if he goes out the pitch - Meyler will enjoy having a cut at him.
"If Tyrone shut him down, I think they have more firepower and more know-how. This is a massive game to see where Tyrone are at this season."
Watch Tyrone v Armagh in the All-Ireland Football Championship on Saturday from 6.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on all matches on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to updates throughout the day on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch highlights on The Saturday Game and The Sunday Game, 9.30pm, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
