Mayo have been on the brink for much of this summer, so can Roscommon apply the final push that knocks them over the edge?

The bookies would seem not to think so, offering incredibly generous odds of 3-1 on Roscommon winning this match.

Making Mayo such hot favourites is surely based on what they’ve achieved in recent years rather than the form they’ve shown thus far in the Championship.

At various spells in matches they’ve played some tremendous football and key players like Aidan O’Shea, Cillian O’Connor, and Andy Moran are bang in form.

But the bottom line is that they’re quite lucky to have made it this far considering they required extra-time to defeat both Derry and Cork.

So are they winding up a little more slowly than usual for yet another charge for the Sam Maguire Cup, or is the way they’ve stuttered and spluttered so far this summer indicative of a team in decline?

Defensively they’ve certainly looked more fragile than they have in previous years, particularly when opposition teams run hard at them, and Roscommon will be keen to test them in that regard on Sunday.

Kevin McStay’s team possess a lot of quick, accurate forwards in the shape of men like Ciarain Murtagh, Diarmuid Murtagh, Conor Devaney, and Cian Connolly, while midfielder Enda Smith is also a consistent threat when running from deep.

If there are major fault-lines in this Mayo defence, there’s no reason why Roscommon can’t expose them as long as they come to Croke Park fully believing they can win this game.

Mayo certainly will, and being back at headquarters may well be just what they need to start playing to their full potential again.

They’re much more used to do or die matches of this scale in Croke Park than Roscommon are, and that will have to count for something.

When these two teams have met in the recent past Mayo have physically overpowered Roscommon, but it'll be interesting to see though if they have recovered fully from the exertions of that draining extra-time battle against Cork.

If they are to win this game they may need a buffer on the scoreboard coming into the last quarter because Roscommon should have more gas in their tanks.

Whatever the final outcome, there’s a good chance this game will be a lot more competitive than the odds-makers seem to think.

Roscommon: Colm Lavin; Sean McDermott, John McManus, David Murray; Niall McInerney, Sean Mullooly, Brian Stack; Fintan Cregg, Enda Smith; Tadgh O'Rourke, Cian Connolly, Conor Devaney, Ciarain Murtagh, Diarmuid Murtagh, Niall Kilroy.

**Mayo: **TBA