It may well be that some of you have had ‘snow days’ off work. No such luck at Betfred Towers, we carried on regardless. There were real life tales of four-hour drives to work, cars getting ditched so having to walk in, even having to stay in hotels through not being able to get home – that was the selection of scenarios here last week.

What bothered us more so has been all the racing and football called off. As in some ways it feels like we battled to get in for nothing. Well some of us did anyway, as like everywhere many used the ‘can’t move the car’ card!

Last week’s football fixtures were diminished and the games that went ahead almost put a dent in the whole of 2010′s figures, they paid for many a people’s Christmas presents that’s for sure. In fact it was only the draws in the Chelsea and Arsenal games that stopped the punters clearing right up. Of the eight English games that went ahead, both sides scored therefore meaning it was Goals Galore. Our ever increasing in popularity ‘Goals Galore’ coupon had every single coupon a winner for the punter. That’s right every single coupon was a losing one to the company, it’s not often that will happen – if ever.

So now the gaffer wants the snow to stay away so he can try and get some back this week. All’s fair in bookmaking, pay out with a smile, after all can’t win all the time!
Right, looking forward to this weekend’s Premier League fixtures that we hope will be played. Here are the latest prices.

Home  Draw  Away

Saturday 16th Jan

11/4  Stoke City 9/4  Liverpool 21/20

2/9  Chelsea  5/1  Sunderland 12/1 

1/6  Man Utd  6/1  Burnley 14/1

13/8  Portsmouth 23/10 Birmingham 13/8

1/4  Tottenham  9/2  Hull City 12/1

11/8  Wolves  9/4  Wigan  2/1

7/4  Everton 23/10 Man City 6/4

Sunday 17th Jan

8/15 Aston Villa 11/4  West Ham  6/1

6/4  Blackburn 11/5  Fulham 15/8

9/2  Bolton  3/1  Arsenal  4/7

Looking at the odds, following Liverpool’s performance midweek and the subsequent injuries to Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun, I strongly doubt that even the most ardent of followers will be taking them at a shade about evens. In fact all the money on Thursday for Stoke saw their price go from 9/2 into 11/4. Could the 11/4 about Stoke still be great value, after all they have took some scalps at the Britannia and Liverpool are simply speaking in dire straits.
Or what about new manager syndrome, can Owen Coyle inspire Bolton to a win over Arsenal? That double alone just on 20/1 and may well be popular.

I personally will be placing a bet on Birmingham at Portsmouth, 13/8 looks good to me. I hope so anyway as like everyone else, I like taking money off the bookies too!

Hopefully the snow stays away so we all get the chance.