Bookies make Hatters hot favourites

Last week’s impressive come from behind win at promotion rivals Forest Green really stamped Luton as the team to beat in the Conference - what I always hoped would be the difference between Paul Buckle’s side and the rest of the division was the firepower at the manager’s disposal and once again Stuart Fleetwood and Scott Rendell delivered the goods last weekend, this time against their former Club at Nailsworth.

New midfield signing Arnaud Mendy looks an excellent recruit from Macclesfield and the former Derby man has settled effortlessly into the side.

He had a cracker against Luton earlier in the season and Buckle has moved swiftly to capturing this classy performer.

Fleetwood’s strike in Gloucestershire was his 10th league goal of the campaign and BetVictor make him 9/2 joint favourite with Aaron O’Connor at Newport to win the Golden Boot.

Newport, the long-time pacesetters are beginning to stutter and a 3-2 home reverse against Woking followed a massive FA Cup shock when lowly Yate won 3-1 at Rodney Parade in a replay.

They still lead the way, one point ahead of Luton and their fixtures in November look soft.

They are due to entertain the Hatters on December 4 and if both clubs still occupy the top two positions we are guaranteed fireworks at Rodney Parade that evening.

This Saturday Luton return to FA Cup action when they entertain fellow Conference outfit Nuneaton.

It took until the 86th minute for the Hatters to break down Boro in the league fixture last month.

After the shock reverses against Braintree and Telford Hatters fans won’t be taking the strugglers for granted, but they will still be disappointed if they are unable to justify the 1/2 favourites tag with Nuneaton 15/2 and a replay at 3/1.

Fleetwood is 16/5 to open the scoring with Rendell 19/5 the same price as Jon Shaw.

A similar 2-0 scoreline to the Conference fixture is 6/1. The Hatters are back in league action on Tuesday when they visit Herford United and the hope is they don’t sustain any injuries against a workmanlike Boro with promotion remaining the primary objective.

There are some great cup ties elsewhere with all the League One and Two teams entering at this stage.

Fellow Conference big guns Wrexham will fancy themselves at 8/13 to beat Alfreton and Forest Green will hope to bounce back from a poor recent run when they host League two highflyers Port Vale.

Green are 12/5 for this clash and that looks a touch of value with a good home record this term.

For all your weekend odds check out betvictor.com.