League Two returns this weekend with a monumental clash as two of the promotion favourites collide at Meadow Lane on Saturday at 12.30pm. I’ve taken a look at this gargantuan fixture to pick out a couple of betting angles.

Team News

Having been injured against Barrow,  Jodi Jones pulled out of the Malta squad this week. Although the injury is not thought to be a serious one, it could make a him a doubt for this clash, as he missed the EFL Trophy match in midweek. Mansfield have no injury issues to report.

Notts County to win and BTTS Yes @ 13/5

The Magpies have been sensational so far this season and currently sit top of League Two. They’ve been the most exciting team in the division to watch, having scored 27 and conceded 21 in their 12 matches so far. 

They’ve got so much attacking quality in the form of David McGoldrick, Jodi Jones and Macaulay Langstaff, that teams in the fourth tier simply don’t know how to deal with them. However, they are also poor at the back, having conceded more goals than 17 teams in League Two this season. 

What this gives us, as they come up against a Mansfield side who will have their sights set on the top three, is a game which should see lots of chances at both ends. Both teams have scored in Notts County’s last five games, while they’ve also had a 5-4 defeat and a 4-3 win during that time. 

The lunchtime kick-off, live on Sky Sports, should produce fireworks. County will stay top of the pile if they can secure three points here. 

Macaulay Langstaff to score first @ 4/1

With eight goals in 12 games so far in League Two, Macaulay Langstaff has handled the step up with ease. 42 goals in 45 National League matches marked him out as an elite goalscorer and now he is doing the business at the top of the fourth tier. 

He’s one goal away from current top scorers Jake Young and Will Evans and there is no doubt he will have his eye on winning the Golden Boot this season. Given Notts County are so fluid when it comes to scoring goals, we can expect Langstaff to find the net here, and the odds of 4/1 on him to score first feels generous. I’m happy to back him to score first, while considering the 9/5 on him to score anytime.