Bournemouth having a good spell of possession here, but running into a blue and white blanket. Joshua King goes to ground in the penalty area, claiming Ahmed Hegazi is tugging his shirt, but nothing is given.

Then home defender Adam Smith takes a loose touch and West Brom midfielder Jake Livermore goes steaming into the challenge. Smith ends up in a heap, and players from both sides start crowding together like a late-night set-to outside a kebab shop. When it's finally all sorted out, Smith is the man booked.

Tony Brown
Former West Brom striker on BBC WM 95.6

"He’s got that vital touch in front of the defender, and you’re thinking, 'Go on, get in' but the keeper has dived full length to save it again, that’s two chances Rondon has had with his head."

John Roder
Match of the Day commentator

"Salomon Rondon looks far more effective with Jay Rodriguez alongside him today. He was isolated on his own against Leicester last weekend."

Image source, Getty Images

Allan Nyom again gets down the right for West Brom. His cross into the middle is glanced on by Jake Livermore, and Jay Rodriguez cannot quite get to the flick.

Then Salomon Rondon gets a header to a cross from the left, and Asmir Begovic has to beat it away.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

No sign of any Liverpool-style "high press" from the visitors - West Brom look happy to allow Bournemouth to play the ball along the back, in their own half, and out of defence - only moving to close the hosts down when they approach to within 35-40 yards of Ben Foster's goal. Callum Wilson will also be fighting for space this afternoon - two of Albion's three central defenders crowd the Cherries striker out every time the ball is played up to him.

Image source, Getty Images

Albion's midfield is sitting very deep when Bournemouth have the ball. The idea appears to be to try to draw out the home side and then catch them out on the counter-attack. It's a strategy in which right-wing-back Allan Nyom and Jay Rodriguez have been heavily involved so far.

Bournemouth's Charlie Daniels hits a shot from 25 yards, skimming across the turf, but keeper Ben Foster saves and holds it with no bother.

Well so far, West Brom have managed to carry out Alan Pardew's pre-match instructions in denying Bournemouth a fast start. Approaching the 20-minute mark, and it's pretty even.

Image source, Reuters

Francis is unable to continue, having seemingly picked up the injury in that last West Brom attack. Steve Cook takes over the armband, and Charlie Daniels comes on. Daniels goes to left-back, and Adam Smith switches to right-back.

Yeah, both teams are taking it in turns to fence for an opening, but without any really big chances resulting. For Bournemouth, Dan Gosling loops a header goalwards from a Joshua King cross, and Ben Foster gathers. Albion head to the other end and Jay Rodriguez ends a positive run with a shot that Asmir Begovic gathers.

Meantime, there's a problem for Bournemouth captain Simon Francis. Looks like a hamstring.

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

Bournemouth aren't as quickly out of the traps as they were against Spurs last week, and it's not immediately obvious why West Brom are cast adrift at the bottom of the table, as they've had a good share of the play. They're backed by some hardy souls who have made it down through the snow from the Black Country (though there are a few dozen empty seats in the away section) who are outsinging the home fans in the early stages.

Second Albion corner. Chris Brunt delivers towards the edge of the area, Craig Dwason jumps and gives home centre-back Steve Cook a shove. The home side look as if they could break, but the referee is concerned there might be an injury and so blows for a free-kick to Bournemouth.

Seconds later, Nyom does much better, floating over a cross that Salomon Rondon gets his head to. Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic clutches the goalbound effort out of the air comfortably enough.

Image source, Reuters

Having ridden that early (and brief) Albion flurry, Bournemouth are now settling into possession nicely. Lots of patient passing, with the visitors sitting deep as a back five and a midfield three.

But suddenly Albion break. Jay Rodriguez, surrounded by four Bournemouth players in the centre circle, feeds the onrushing Allan Nyom down the right. Rodriguez races into the middle for the cross, but the delivery is over-hit and whizzes out for a goal kick.

Image source, Reuters

As Mark Mitchener suggested in his pre-match team analysis, Adam Smith is playing at left-back for Bournemouth in a 4-4-2 set-up. Nathan Ake and Steve Cook are the centre-backs.

Early touch for Cherries midfielder Lewis Cook, called into the England squad, and he cushions a nice pass wide for the attacking right-back Simon Francis, but his low cross is cut out easily by Claudio Yacob.

West Brom making a positive start here; Chris Brunt produces a nice back flick down the right for Allan Nyom to attempt a cross, which is put behind for the game's first corner. Nothing comes of it, but the visitors are having the early possession.

Image source, PA

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport at Vitality Stadium

A chilly wind is blowing on to the pitch, mainly from behind the Ted MacDougall Stand, the end being defended by West Brom in the first half - and bringing with it some persistent waves of snow, though it's not heavy enough to settle. Two or three outfield players on each side are wearing gloves.

The warmest person in the ground? Home mascot Cherry Bear, whose extra layers of fur will come in very nicely this afternoon.

"We've got to get through the early part of the game, because they start fast, Bournemouth," said Alan Pardew about an hour before kick-off. "I've said to the players that it's time to stand up and show your colours."

Talking of colours, it's the usual stripes for both teams: Bournemouth in red and black, West Brom in navy and white.

The players are now with us, and in their pre-match huddles. This may be for team spirit or it may be for warmth.

Teams are in the tunnel - there are handshakes between the two goalkeepers, Bournemouth's Asmir Begovic and West Brom's Ben Foster...