There is one inescapable fact when Galway host Armagh in Tuam on Sunday (2pm ), they must win, otherwise relegation to division three for 2015 is almost a certainty.
Going to Clones in the last round (April 6 ), hoping to get something from Monaghan, is to be avoided. Monaghan are a good team and are not Ulster champions for nothing.
Teams need to win home games to have any chance at this level and, lest we forget, Galway did defeat Armagh in last year's qualifiers campaign. They need to do so again in three days’ time.
That round three qualifier last July against Armagh at Pearse Stadium ended on a scoreline of Galway 1-11 Armagh 0-9.
Interestingly, the Galway line-up that day included Seán Denvir at wing back, John O' Brien and Conor Doherty were the two wing-forwards, and Michael Meehan scored 0-4 from full-forward. Danny Cummins scored the Galway goal.
There are unlikely to be too many changes next Sunday from the team that drew with Louth, although both Finian Hanley and James Kavanagh are expected to be available for selection for Sunday's clash.
If the Salthill man is selected in his customary position at full-back, it would mean that either Keith Kelly or Donal O'Neill would probably drop to the subs’ bench.
Kavanagh is recovering from injury and his participation is still in some doubt, although the word is that he will be available to play a role.
Sunday is a big game for Galway football, especially with the u-21s’ shock defeat to Leitrim last weekend.
A Galway victory would give the panel and football public some confidence before facing Monaghan in round seven and heading into a small break before the Connacht championship commences in late May away to London.
Galway have to win on Sunday and hope that either Laois or Armagh lose their last game in round seven.
However, there is still a lot of football to be played and the way the results have been going in this division over the past few weeks, anything can happen.
If Galway were to beat Armagh this weekend and Armagh also lost their last game to Donegal, Armagh would be relegated on the basis of "head-to-head" results.
That is probably Galway's best and more logical route to survival.
Other relegation candidates in the division, Laois, are away to Monaghan this Sunday at Clones, and they face Down in Round 7 at O'Moore Park.
Galway are slight favourites based on home advantage to prevail this Sunday at 4/5, with Armagh at 5/4. A draw, which is not beyond the realms of possibility, is at 8/1.
