Cbeebies presenter and West Ham fan Ben Cajee is this week's challenger to BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson in predicting the results of the mid-week Premier League matches.

Ben, who will feature in the Cbeebies The Night Before Christmas show, was born in Ipswich but was always a West Ham fan because of his dad.

"I am still not over the 2006 FA Cup final yet. We haven't won a trophy since 1980 so no-one can call me a glory supporter," he told BBC Sport.

"But I don't remember ever making a choice of supporting West Ham. It's not like I was forced into it, but it's as if it was always a thing - it's always been part of my existence.

"My first heroes were Ian Bishop and Trevor Morley, and big Ludek Miklosko in goal. I loved it when Harry Redknapp was in charge and we signed John Hartson and Paul Kitson and they saved us from the drop.

"A bit later on, we had so many good young players - Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Jermain Defoe and especially Joe Cole. I've got so many great memories of that time, but our current team is pretty special too.

"I call David Moyes 'Sir David' anyway and the man is a football genius. But if he wins us a trophy, well, then build him a statue because it would be the greatest day of my life.

"Maybe it will happen, maybe it won't. Thinking about it, it probably won't."

Read more of what Ben had to say, and see this week's full Lawro's predictions

David Moyes says Brighton fans are "lucky" to have Graham Potter as their manager.

A small section of supporters could be heard booing after the Seagulls' goalless draw against Leeds on Saturday.

Potter said he was "a little bit perplexed" by the reaction and West Ham boss Moyes says he is a "top manager with a really good team".

"They are really lucky to have Graham Potter as manager and you shouldn't forget that," said Moyes. "We all get booed at times in our career. You just have to move on and I'm sure Graham knows what he is doing more than the people who booed."

The Hammers host Brighton on Wednesday sitting fourth in the table - ahead of Arsenal on goal difference - while Albion are ninth and without a win in eight Premier League matches.

"Every team who plays Brighton understands that they can cause you problems. They play with a really good style and have made a good start to the season," added Moyes.

"I think Graham Potter has done a really good job. They have gone about their work really well.

"If you asked me last season who I would tip to improve, I would say Brighton."

Image source, BBC Sport

• Only Newcastle (13) are on a longer winless run than Brighton of all teams in the Premier League (eight games), though they’ve gone on to lose just two of those. Over the eight games, Brighton have had more shots than their opponents (99-94) and have a higher expected goals (xG) for total than their xG against (9.6 for, 8.9 against).
• West Ham United have lost their past two league matches - they have not lost three in a row since June 2020, and that was one of only two such runs under David Moyes.
• Some 12.1% of Brighton’s Premier League games have finished 0-0 (20/165), the highest percentage in the competition’s history.

Image source, BBC Sport

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

It's now eight games since Brighton won in the league but they have drawn six of those and are still in the top half of the table.

They created loads of chances against Leeds on Saturday so it was pathetic for some Seagulls fans to boo them off after that game finished 0-0.

West Ham need a win too - they played well at Manchester City on Sunday but slipped to a second successive defeat. They are at home, and I think they will get one.

Ben's prediction: 2-1

I love how we play now, genuinely. It doesn't really matter who is in the team because we still use the same system - everyone knows how we will set up and we are going to play.

We are usually terrible against Brighton because they are a good team, and they are usually dull games as well, so my head says this will be a draw, but I've got to back us to win, haven't I?

Find out how Lawro and Ben think the rest of the week's fixtures will go

Image source, BBC Sport

• Watford haven’t kept a clean sheet in their past 23 Premier League matches - the longest current run of any team - and have conceded 45 goals in these games, since a 3-0 win over Liverpool in February 2020.
• Chelsea have won their past four away league games by an aggregate score of 10-0. They last won more consecutively on the road without conceding in the competition between September and December 2008, a run of six under Felipe Scolari.
• Watford boss Claudio Ranieri’s first six Premier League games have seen 25 goals scored (11 for, 14 against), the most in a manager’s first six matches in charge of a club since Frank Lampard at Chelsea (also 25).

Image source, BBC Sport

• Watford have lost seven of their past eight Premier League meetings with Chelsea, winning the other 4-1 in February 2018. The Hornets have conceded 21 goals in these eight games (2.6 per game).
• Chelsea have won their past two away league games against Watford, but have never won three in a row at Vicarage Road before.
• Since a goalless draw in February 2016, there has been 33 goals scored in eight Premier League games between Watford (12 goals) and Chelsea (21), at an average of 4.1 per game.

Thomas Tuchel says his strikers may need to "relax" in front of goal, but added that he is "happy and calm" about the form of his forwards.

Chelsea scored two league goals at home in November but have been without Romelu Lukaku - who returned from injury in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.

"In general, we are absolutely happy and calm. I think they try hard. Their contribution to our style of game, to the high pressing, is immense," Tuchel said on Tuesday.

"We should maybe take into account that when they arrive with the chances, they don’t arrive fully relaxed.

"Sometimes they breathe hard when they arrive. Maybe that costs us a bit of precision sometimes, but we scored many goals before. This game [against Manchester United], I agree. We had a similar game in terms of chances and result against Burnley at home."

Image source, BBC Sport

Lawro's prediction: 0-3

Chelsea did not get the result they wanted against Manchester United on Sunday, but their performance was really good.

I'd imagine we will see more of Blues striker Romelu Lukaku here after he came off the bench late on against United - and that is not good news for Watford.

Ben's prediction: 0-3

As a West Ham fan I don't want to say it, but Chelsea just look formidable at the moment. I do like Watford though and they have got some good players - I read a few days ago that their former chairman [and life-president] Elton John is playing a gig at Vicarage Road in July, so hopefully they will still be in the Premier League then.

Find out how Lawro and Ben think the rest of the week's fixtures will go

Image source, BBC Sport

• Aston Villa have lost 12 of their past 14 Premier League meetings with Manchester City (won one, drawn one), conceding 39 goals in these games (2.8 per game).
• Manchester City have won 10 of their past 11 meetings with Aston Villa in all competitions (D1) since a 3-2 loss at Villa Park in September 2013.
• Aston Villa have lost 13 of their last 14 Premier League games against reigning champions, though they did beat Liverpool 7-2 at Villa Park last season. The last time they won consecutive home league games against the reigning top-flight champions was in April/December 1976 (vs Derby and Liverpool).

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard says Jack Grealish deserves a "warm welcome" on his return to Villa Park but says his players won’t be distracted as they look to make it three wins from three.

Grealish has been injured since the international break but could return with Manchester City to face his former club on Wednesday.

"I don't think we will be distracted by it because we've got such a big task to focus on," said Gerrard.

"Jack very much deserves a warm welcome and I have no doubt he'll get that. "This is his club and it will be when his career is over, because he was here as a little boy and he has come through the academy.

"The club have benefited a lot from what Jack has given and we very much wish him well moving forward for the remainder of his career. Obviously not for 90 minutes tomorrow.

"He's very much got everyone's respect and love here. I'm new to it, but I'll certainly pay my respects as well and wish him well."

Image source, BBC Sport

• Aston Villa won just one of their eight midweek Premier League games last season (12.5%), beating Spurs 2-1 in May. In the 2019-20 campaign, the Villans won 44.4% of their midweek league games (won four, drawn three, lost two).
• Manchester City have won their last 15 Premier League games played on a Wednesday, scoring 36 goals and conceding just six. Only Liverpool (21 on Saturdays between 2018 and 2020) and City themselves (17 on Saturdays between 2017 and 2018) have had longer winning runs on a specific day of the week in the competition.
• Of Villa’s 18 league goals this season, 14 have come in the second half of games (78%), with six of those coming in the final 10 minutes – including three of their four so far under Steven Gerrard.
• Meanwhile, Villa have won both of Gerrard's games in charge - no Villa boss has ever won their first three.

Image source, BBC Sport

Micah Richards has selected the best XI he has played with in his career. Unsurprisingly, there are 10 Man City players. And the only player who makes it that he didn't play with at City is now at the club.

Speaking on the most recent Match of the Day Top 10 podcast, Richards runs us through his team in typically energetic fashion:

In goal, Joe Hart. "To City fans, he’s a massive hero. He was pivotal in Manchester City’s success."

In defence, Richards had to choose himself so he selected a 3-4-3 formation and moved in on the right side of a back three.

“Big Meeks," he laughs. "He was a brick wall - nothing got past him."

His captain was Vincent Kompany: “This was probably my easiest decision. What more could you want from a defender?"

The defence was completed by Joleon Lescott: "He was super fit, very dependable and a really good player. The problem for him was that he’d always get punished even when he made just one mistake. Kompany would make mistakes too and never get punished."

Richards was spoiled for choice in midfield and delighted in overpowering Alan Shearer's midfield four.

First, it was David Silva: “He was one of the greatest midfielders ever. His touch and technique was on a different level.”

Patrick Vieira and Yaya Toure: “This is a devastating midfield. Imagine having these two together. You wouldn't be able to get past them."

Jack Grealish: “He’d be texting me straight away if I didn’t put him in.

And what about the attack? "My front three is full of ballers," he said.

"The greatest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League in Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Daniel Sturridge. I've never seen talent like that.

And the manager? "Roberto Mancini - who else?”

Listen to the full episode now on BBC Sounds to find out who just missed out and who Shearer picked in his XI

Image source, BBC Sport

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

Manchester City go to Villa Park after a very good week that has seen them beat Everton, Paris St-Germain and West Ham - and all without Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden or Jack Grealish, who have all been ill or injured.

If Grealish and Foden are back, I'd be more confident of a City victory. Without them, Villa might nick something, especially because their tails are up at the moment.

Ben's prediction: Even though I am still not over what happened in the 2006 FA Cup final, it is actually nice to see Stevie G back in the Premier League.

Manchester City are going to win though, and how good would it be if Grealish scored and then went over to their fans and got a pair of clippers and shaved off his hair.

Find out how Lawro and Ben think the rest of the week's fixtures will go

Mike Minay
BBC Radio Manchester

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says his squad is depleted by injuries but should it be cause for concern? For now, no. But with eight games across December, he'll be hoping some return promptly.

Villa away and a quick turnaround for a trip to Watford on Saturday might cause an issu. However, the RB Leipzig game next week has nothing riding on it and, therefore, might give Guardiola a chance to relieve a few members of his team.

For Wednesday's task, Villa have a new lease of life under Steven Gerrard. A packed Villa Park, against the champions, under the floodlights could provide some atmosphere.

That said, City have provided some dominant performances of late, and an opening 10 minutes to calm the Villa faithful down will help.

I'll be alongside Jim Whitley on BBC Radio Manchester later, with build-up and commentary from 19:00 GMT

Everton boss Rafa Benitez, speaking ahead of the Merseyside derby: "It's important to bring back the confidence and use an opportunity to change things for the rest of the season," said the Spaniard.

"It's a massive game for us - the derby is always an opportunity to put things right.

"A derby is always special in every country but I live in the city so the passion is massive and really important for everyone. That's why I want to win and do well.

"It's a challenge for me and I can understand the frustration from fans. It's been some years we are not improving.

"I think the fans are intelligent and know we need them. It's a derby, I'm sure they will be behind the team.

"You can complain when players are not playing well or tactics are not working, but at the same time they cannot complain about the effort."

Image source, BBC Sport

• Everton won 2-0 in their last Premier League game against Liverpool, ending a 20-game winless run against them in the competition. They’ve not won back-to-back league Merseyside derbies since beating them in both meetings in the 1984-85 campaign.
• Liverpool are unbeaten in their past 10 Premier League away games against Everton, since a 2-0 loss in October 2010. However, eight of their past nine such visits have finished level, including each of the past four in a row.
• In Premier League history, Everton vs Liverpool has seen more red cards (22) and been drawn more often (24) than any other fixture. The Merseyside derby has also seen more 90th-minute winning goals than any other match in the competition, with all of these being scored by Liverpool – Ronny Rosenthal (1993), Gary McAllister (2001), Dirk Kuyt (2007), Sadio Mane (2016) and Divock Origi (2018).

Image source, BBC Sport

• Everton have only lost one of their past 13 midweek Premier League games (won seven, drawn five) - a 3-1 defeat by Manchester City in February.
• Liverpool have won four Premier League games by four or more goals this season – twice as many as they managed in the whole of last season, and already one more than they did in their title-winning season of 2019-20.
• Jurgen Klopp's side lost their last away league game 3-2 at West Ham, but haven’t lost consecutive Premier League games on the road since February 2017 (v Hull and Leicester).
• The Reds have scored at least twice in their past nine Premier League away games, and could become just the second team to do so in 10 after Manchester United, who managed 11 between June and December 2020.
• Everton manager Rafael Benitez has won just one of his 10 Premier League games against sides he’s previously managed (drawn three, lost six). Meanwhile, former Liverpool managers have lost 13 of their past 14 Premier League games against the Reds.

Image source, Getty Images

What happened when the two teams last met in the top flight?

In October 2020, the Toffees produced an outstanding Merseyside derby performance to beat Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield for the first time since 1999.

In a landmark result for both sides, Everton earned their first derby win anywhere since 2010, as Liverpool lost four successive home matches for the first time since 1923.

Richarlison put Everton in front after three minutes when he latched on to a superb pass from James Rodriguez to beat Alisson.

Liverpool responded and Jordan Pickford saved well from Jordan Henderson, who went off injured in the first half, while Everton captain Seamus Coleman should have added to Richarlison's strike only to head straight at Alisson from six yards.

Sadio Mane wasted two headed chances for Liverpool in the second half, while Pickford saved superbly from Mohamed Salah, leaving Everton to wrap up their first derby win in 24 attempts when substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson scored from the spot with seven minutes left after Dominic Calvert-Lewin tangled with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Image source, Getty Images

Jurgen Klopp says his side must "keep a cool head" in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday.

Last year's fixture at Goodison Park saw defender Virgil van Dijk and midfielder Thiago Alcantara suffer major injuries.

"We are still an emotional team and we need to use the emotion on the right way - and that's the plan for tomorrow, absolutely," said the Reds boss.

Van Dijk suffered cruciate ligament damage following a challenge by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and has faced a long recovery.

"He had a full pre-season, which was really helpful," Klopp told his news conference.

"We need to have in our mind to give him a break from time to time - but apart from that, it's all good.

"His comeback has been really good and if some things have been not exactly like they have been, then it's only a matter of time before they are."

It is difficult to look past Liverpool beating Everton in Wednesday's Merseyside derby, says former Reds striker Michael Owen.

"Liverpool are playing exceptionally well. Everton are without a lot of their best players and have been struggling of late," Owen told BBC World Service.

"Home advantage sways it in favour of Everton - and that is an advantage in the derby, especially at Goodison as it is a very hostile place.

"It’s certainly not a gimme but on all known form and on current form you’d have to fancy Liverpool."

When asked what is going wrong for Rafael Benitez at Everton, Owen said: "I think injuries have played a major role. Not just injuries, but injuries to three of their best players - and all attacking players.

"Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been a decent source of goals over the last couple of seasons. He's been a big miss. Abdoulaye Doucoure has been a fantastic player since he signed.

"They are missing quite a few good players. When you are a team like Everton, you struggle when you don’t carry strength in numbers and your big players get injured."