Today’s Division 1 League final between Dublin and Tyrone throws up an encounter between two of the early favourites for Sam Maguire this summer.

The duo met in mid-March with Tyrone ending Dublin’s winning run, although Dublin did top the standings by one point.

There is one bit of symmetry between the sides. Dublin last won the National Football League exactly two decades ago. Fold that in half and you arrive at 2003 when Tyrone last tasted victory in the competition.

But where will today’s final be won and lost?

Jim Gavin’s Dublin were by far the biggest points-scorers in Division 1 this season, putting away a whopping 8-105 with the likes of Bernard Brogan (2-28), Paddy Andrews (0-20) and Diarmuid Connolly (1-15) all in fine scoring form.

But they will be coming up against the second best defence in the Division with the Red Hand County conceding 4-75, with relegated All Ireland champions Donegal conceding just one point fewer.

And although they are not as prolific as the Dubs, Tyrone were the second highest scorers in Division 1 league stage. They also possess one of the most consistent sharpshooters in the country in Stephen O’Neill who notched 3-15 during the campaign and then provided an exhibition of point-scoring in the league semi against Kildare.

That is a threat Dublin will have to be wary of considering that their defeat to Tyrone was a tight encounter and the Dubs are not wholly secure defensively.

For all their attacking intent, pace and general dominance, Gavin’s men conceded 5-73 during the league stage which was the third best in the Division but not wholly impressive when compared to many of the teams below them. Getting that balance right will be key.

The league match between Dublin and Tyrone at Croker last month was a tight affair but a few things could float into the Dubs’ favour.

Although they did lose by one point they did not concede a single goal and also had Brogan unavailable which was a key factor in a defeat which saw Diarmuid Connolly top score for the Dubs with 0-6 – although five of those came from frees.

Michael Darragh Macauley’s introduction in the second half also gave Dublin more control in the midfield after a first half edged by Mickey Harte's Tyrone. But Gavin will also have the slight of headache of still being in a flux regarding who would staff his best team.

©INPHO/Ryan Byrne