Martin Braithwaite tees up Stewart Downing, who's felled outside the box by Jake Livermore and Boro win a free-kick in scoring range.

Downing curls it towards Daniel Ayala at the far post and, after the initial cross just drifts away from him, the big centre-half wastes a second bite of the cherry when Aden Flint throws it back into the mixer.

Boro have struck again, this time through Jonny Howson, who tries his luck with a scuffed low shot from outside the 18-yard line.

Unfortunately for the hosts, it rolls well wide of the mark.

West Brom haven't managed much in front of goal tonight and it's summed up by Chris Brunt firing high and wide from about 45 yards out.

Albion have dominated the possession, but it's Middlesbrough who've looked more dangerous when they have the ball.

Boro aren't backing off and Stewart Downing tests West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone with a long-range drive.

Replays show it was a tremendous save. Middlesbrough could have been 1-0 up in stunning fashion.

Image source, PA

Middlesbrough scored 12 goals from corners in the Championship last season, more than any other team.

They win two corners in quick succession, but Albion's defence is resolute, as Jake Livermore clears away with a powerful header.

There's a lull in play and West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone draws the ire of some of the Boro crowd as he takes an age to take a goal kick.

George Friend then gets past Matt Phillips and there are shouts for a penalty as he goes into the box - it looks as if the ball hits an Albion hand - but it's waved away.

Ryan Shotton plays a lovely ball straight to the feet of Britt Assombalonga and before the Middlesbrough forward can even turn to shoot, the flag goes up for offside.

Boro have got the edge here, but don't rule out West Brom just yet.

Now that would have been a sensational own goal.

Aden Flint, who's square in front of the Boro goal, attempts to clear an inswinging Harvey Barnes cross but ends up hitting the crossbar.

That was close.

At the other end, Albion win a corner which the hosts do well to deal with and the attack is neutralised.

An entertaining start, here.

Image source, Rex Features

Good stuff from Boro! The hosts very nearly take an early lead as they keep the ball alive and feed an unmarked George Friend.

He then puts a neat ball into the box for Jonny Howson, who dives to head narrowly wide of the mark.

There's a good noise about the place, with the home fans in fine voice. Will they be cheering about being top of the table in a couple of hours' time?

Martin Braithwaite thunders a shot from long range that rolls away and out for a goal kick.

Maybe a touch off target, but we've had the first shot of this match.

"LET'S DO A FOOTBALL!" are the words I can only imagine tonight's referee John Brooks screams just before blowing his whistle to get this game under way.

Image source, PA

"Is it time for football, Jay?"Well, live text reader, yes. We're almost there. Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion have emerged from the tunnel at the Riverside and kick-off is coming soon.

Today marks one week until the end of August's second transfer deadline day.

Are you happy with your club's business in this year's window? Could you use some reinforcements? Anyone you'd like shipped out on loan or like the look of?

Let us know using #bbcefl on social media.

New Middlesbrough signing Mo Besic starts on the bench after rejoining from Everton this week. while Daniel Ayala comes in for Lewis Wing.

Middlesbrough: Randolph, Shotton, Ayala, Flint, Fry, Friend, Clayton, Howson, Downing, Braithwaite, Assombalonga.

Substitutes: Konstantopaulos, McNair, Leadbitter, Besic, Wing, Fletcher, Hugill.

West Brom boss Darren Moore names an unchanged side after their 7-1 win at home to QPR last Saturday.

West Brom: Johnstone, Gibbs, Bartley, Livermore, Phillips, Brunt, Barnes, Gayle, Rodriguez, Adarabioyo, Hegazi.

Substitutes: Myhill, Robson-Kanu, Morrison, Burke, Barry, Dawson, Field.

Here's how the top of the Championship table looks after the midweek round of matches.

Boro and West Brom both had the week off after having fixtures re-arranged for the first week of the season to allow them to play tonight.

The Baggies lie seventh in the table on seven points.

Image source, .

Image source, Getty Images

Things have been going fairly swimmingly for Middlesbrough at the start of the season.

After coming from 2-0 down at Millwall to seal a draw with goals in the 87th and 97th minutes, Boro have gone on to beat Sheffield United, Birmingham and Bristol City.

You can safely say there is no hangover from last season, when the Teessiders lost in the play-off semi-finals to Aston Villa.

Tony Pulis knows that victory for his side will take them three points clear at the top of the Championship ahead of the rest of the weekend's fixtures.

Image source, Getty Images

West Brom fans might have been worrying what the campaign held in store for them when they lost their Championship opener at home to Bolton.

But since then the Baggies have shown little signs that last season's relegation from the Premier League has adversely affected them.

A draw at Nottingham Forest was followed up by victory at Norwich City.

And then came the coup de grace against QPR last Saturday, as Darren Moore's side scored six second-half goals at The Hawthorns to demolish Rangers 7-1.

All seems swell for Albion - but Boro will be more resolute than the struggling R's.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis' business in the transfer window was not quite done and there's a familiar face who's returned to Teesside.

Boro have re-signed midfielder Muhamed Besic on a season-long loan from Premier League side Everton.

The Bosnia international, 25, made 17 appearances for Boro while on loan for the second half of last season and helped them reach the play-offs.

Image source, Getty Images

Here's a sobering stat for you, Boro fans. Middlesbrough are without a win against West Bromwich Albion in their past eight games against the Baggies in all competitions.

That's a record that stretched back to February 2006.

The last time West Brom played at the Riverside outside the top flight, they thrashed Boro 5-0.

Roberto Di Matteo was the Baggies' manager while Gareth Southgate was Middlesbrough boss. I wonder what that pair have got up to since that day...