PERMUTATIONS: Can Mayo draw and make the National League final?

Last weekend's loss to Kerry in Tralee was a serious dent to Mayo's momentum in the National League.

The comprehensive beating at the hands of the reigning All-Ireland kings was not only a massive knock to the confidence of those in the county, but also their prospects of running out in Croke Park for the Division One final.

However, all is not lost for Andy Moran's men if they have aspirations of punching their ticket to the joust for the Corn Mhíchíl Uí Mhuircheartaigh when they lock horns with the nearest and dearest neighbours, Roscommon, this Sunday in MacHale Park.

Four sides have a chance of making the final. Donegal and Kerry are in the driving seat at present, with Mayo and Roscommon snapping at their heels.

The table is as follows:

Donegal head to Clones to face Monaghan, Kerry are in action on the road to an Armagh side desperate to win and evade relegation, while Mayo and Roscommon face off in Castlebar.

Should two sides finish level on points, the outcome of their game will determine who finishes higher up the table.

Should three or more sides finish level on points, scoring difference determines the higher-positioned side, followed by total scores, then total goals.

Here, we'll run through the permutations of each result and how the Green and Red could still make the League final.

Mayo lose: 

This is an easy one. If Mayo fall to the Rossies, they will finish fourth.

Mayo win:

Should Mayo get the better of their Connacht counterparts, then they will require a favour from Armagh or Monaghan.

If Kerry and Donegal both lose, Mayo will find themselves top of the table. However, if one side currently occupying the top two spots wins and the other loses, then Mayo would finish the day in second spot.

A win for both would see Mayo in third place.

Mayo draw:

A peculiar set of circumstances could see Mayo sneak into second spot. In the unlikely event that both Kerry and Donegal both lose, whoever finishes first, second, third, and fourth will be determined by scoring difference.

Kerry are almost guaranteed first place in this instance, as they hold a 20-point advantage on Donegal and a 28-point lead on Mayo at present, essentially leading to a shoot-out between Donegal and Mayo.

If Donegal lose by seven points or less, Mayo would finish third.

If Donegal lose by eight points, it would come down to total scored, where Mayo hold a seven-point advantage at present, then total goals scored, where Mayo hold a two-goal advantage at present.

If Donegal lose by nine points or more, then Mayo would finish second.