This weekend's football - tips from Sporting Index

"Although Charlton are having their best ever start to a Premiership season, they've not playing well at all. They've conceded four goals on the road three times this season. Obviously their new signings will take time to bed in, but they're not a vastly different outfit to last season and I'm just not convinced they have what it takes to maintain their position in the table. Newcastle visit The Valley this weekend having not lost a game since Souness took over, but their away form has also been shaky and they concede goals every time they leave St James' Park. With five games coming up over the next 14 days, Kluivert may well be rested for this one and I wouldn't be at all surprised if this ends in a draw. "Birmingham are carrying a few injuries, and Steve Bruce is likely to use five midfielders when Man Utd visit them on Saturday. He's boosted by the return of Savage, and will rely on Heskey to play as the lone striker. Alex Ferguson will probably rest Rooney for this match, and play Scholes behind Van Nistelrooy to counter the Blues' midfield - therefore, I can't see this being a beautiful end-to-end game, but focussed in the middle. Although Fergie won't be able to use any of his South American players, United should still win this. We're predicting they will by a margin of 0.6 to 0.9 goals. "As for the current leaders, they should be grateful they're playing injury-hit Villa this weekend because this is the kind of game they could lose against stronger opposition. Practically the whole team (with the exception of Bergkamp, Cygan and Lauren) have been away on international duty for the last 10 days, so have not been training together. However, Villa are suffering in defence - they're playing a right back in the centre - and I wouldn't be shocked by a 2-0 or even 3-0. "Looking elsewhere, Chelsea have still not conceded a goal away from home and should be able to capitalise on Man City's erratic home form. However, City played very well against Arsenal and although I can't see them possibly winning, a repeat performance of that standard of football could get them a goal. Finally, I personally rate Portsmouth's chances at home to Spurs on Monday. Although Spurs haven't lost away from home yet, Pompey's home record is good and you should be able to back them at a good price."