FRED DONE WRITES: I thought the excitement of big football bets would die down after taking fortunes for Chelsea to win the Premiership, and then someone having a £1m bet with me last week that Chelsea would finish above Man United this season.

But out of the blue a guy asked me would I take a bet of £500,000 on Arsenal to win The Premiership again. My price of 5/4 is not the biggest around but he told me that he "would only get a few shillings on with those who were a bigger price, and I was more likely to take a big chunk of a bet off him." Maybe flattery got the better of me, as after watching The Gunners at Everton last week they look like they look very much the team to beat again, but I couldn't resist the challenge and gives me an added interest throughout the season.

It was a fantastic start to the season for Bolton as they demolished Charlton at The Reebok last week. Betfred's Stadium Manager Ken McIntyre tells me he finished paying out at "about midnight", the queues were that big, with many of you having Jay Jay to score first at 10/1, and even worse for my bank balance predicted the 4-1 score line with a massive 50/1 payout.

Sam's men travel to a London on Saturday to take on a decent Fulham side, and in a wide open betting event I have taken money for the home side (5/4), the draw (9/4) and Bolton (7/4). My gut feeling is a draw is the likely outcome but such is the confidence of the men from The Reebok that all three points is not out of the question.

Saturday's result sent Bolton fans into my shops and picking up the phones this week to back the Trotters for a top six finish in The Premiership. My price is still 12/1, but if they get another good result I can see the odds being as low as 7/1 or 8/1. As Fred Pontin used to say "Book early to avoid disappointment."