Dublin and Galway, who never expected to be involved in a relegation decider, square up in Tullamore in a match that is sure to be fiercely contested.
Confidence out west is sure to be low following a mauling by Kilkenny and a surprise defeat to Waterford, while Dublin can feel that that if luck was on their side they could have qualified for a league semi-final.
To that end, Anthony Daly's side can feel confident about negotiating this hurdle.
With the Championship fast approaching, Daly will be pleased that many of his key players are returning from injury, with Peter Kelly and Paul Ryan set to play some part at O’Connor Park, while Tomas Brady, Conal Keaney and Stephen Hiney are nearing the end of their cruciate ligament torment.
The trio should be fit for the Leinster championship opener on the June Bank Holiday weekend.
For fans of Galway, frustration is surely evident. After stirring themselves to deservedly beat Cork on Leeside, they fell below expectations against a Waterford side, who were then struggling to find a rhythm. The less said about the tussle with the Cats the better.
Anthony Cunningham will have a job to pick his side up, while also trying to assess what is best XV is. The process will take time, so it is perhaps foolish to think that the Tribes are going to challenge for honours this year.
The league has seen flashes of brilliance from a few players, while talisman Joe Canning has ruled himself out of contention, as his shoulder injury has not yet healed. How they could do with his mercurial talents against a Dublin side, who will be driven to atone for the defeat against Galway on 26 February.
The Championship is around the corner, and defeat for either side on Sunday, while not terminal, will leave a dent. Dublin would appear best equipped to deal with such a reverse, but their side is that bit more settled to ensure that such an eventuality will not occur.
Verdict: Dublin
