Three dark horses who can become Ladbrokes League 1 top scorer

We’ve seen a dramatic opening weekend in Ladbrokes League 1, with a mammoth 21 goals served up over the course of five fixtures – and that means plenty of the contestants for this season’s top scorer award are already off the mark.

But while the likes of Rory McAllister and Liam Buchanan are the favourites to scoop up that award, we’ve identified three outsiders who look well worth backing to strike their way to personal glory and net a profit for their backers.

Chris Duggan (East Fife)

The Australian impressed on loan at Queen’s Park last season, netting eight times in 17 starts for the Spiders, before leaving parent club Partick Thistle for the ambitious Fifers this summer.

Physically strong, quick off the mark and possessing a calm finish, the 22-year-old also had the benefit of being Queen’s Park’s designated penalty taker – a role he’s likely to continue at Bayview.

Having continued to develop his game during the past few seasons, there’s every reason to believe the Perth-born hitman is going to be even more clinical in front of goal this season, meaning the 20/1 for him to lift the top scorer crown could well be incredible value.

Iain Russell (Airdrieonians)

The 33-year-old may not quite have the pace of his younger years, but his game-reading ability is better than any other striker in Ladbrokes League 1.

Having netted 11 times for Queen of the South in the Championship last season, including goals against Rangers, Falkirk and Raith Rovers, Russell’s intelligent positioning and unerring eye for goal will make him a nightmare for defenders throughout the division.

With former Doonhamers’ midfielder Ryan Conroy having also joined the Diamonds this summer, a stellar partnership between provider and goalscorer could also flourish once again. If that happens, expect 10/1 shot Russell to blow away the competition.

Colin McMenamin (Stenhousemuir)

While last season wasn’t the Stenny hitman’s most prolific campaign, history shows McMenamin is a man capable of rattling in the goals, and he’s been consistently relentless against sides showing defensive weakness.

The Glasgow native has hit two or more goals in 11 league outings throughout his career so far, including on three occasions during the 2014-15 season, when he netted 17 times in all competitions.

Although Brown Ferguson’s men have struggled so far this season, that’s unlikely to seriously dent the 16/1 striker’s hopes of top scoring this season.

During his prolific campaign two years back, Stenny finished ninth in League 2, with the former Newcastle United youngster putting away 35 per cent of their goals.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing