Dessie Dolan's side host their Tailteann Cup Final opponents this Sunday.
Despite an historically poor record versus Cavan, there's realistic optimism of a positive result for Westmeath.
That's the view of Gerry Buckley of the Westmeath Examiner, speaking ahead of Sunday's clash in Cusack Park.
The Division Three fixture represents a rematch of the Tailteann Cup Final in Croke Park - with the major change being Dessie Dolan as manager of Westmeath.
Gerry Buckley says they're in the midst of a 'dog eats dog division:'