'Hey Jude' swirls around the stadium from the public address system, before the two teams emerge to a raptuous reception from all four corners of the ground.

The pitch is lush and green, the floodlights are on, and you can see your breath in the cold air.

Perfectly poised.

Image source, SNS

This evening's game will be an emotional one for the Brentford contingent, following the sad death of their technical director Robert Rowan during the international break.

The 28-year-old was a popular figure at Griffin Park, working as part of the coaching set-up across the B team and the first-team.

Wales international Chris Mepham summed up the man in this tribute, external on the club website.

"Rob was such a warm-hearted guy. He had a big role at the club and a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, but he was always up for a laugh and could be a massive kid at times."

The tribute that will preceed the game will also be a fitting moment of remembrance.

Image source, Getty Images

Tony Pulis' style might not have the same public admirers as some of his peers, but Thomas Frank is one of them - for all of his enthusiasm for flair .

"Tony is one of the greatest managers in the UK, he proved that over years," Frank told BBC Radio London.

"How many British managers have his record? Not many, and to achieve anything in football you need to have a solid defence.

"We can learn from their desire to defend, we have a different approach with the ball perhaps."

Image source, Getty Images

Don't get me wrong, Middlesbrough play some lovely football and have some real attacking talent, but it's fair to say their manager Tony Pulis is a man schooled in the art of defence.

His former chairman Peter Coates at Stoke once referred to 'Tone's appreciation of catenaccio, the ultra-defensive football tactics Italian teams used - particularly the Milanese duo - to dominate Europe in the 1960s.

It's clearly working, looking at Boro's defensive record. Eight goals conceded in 17 games is as miserly as the typical high street bank interest rate.

By contrast, his Brentford counterpart Thomas Frank is all about attack. He spoke of his attacking philosophy in his opening press gambit, and his admiration for the Spanish and Danish football culture.

Think Denmark '86. 'Danish Dynamite'. The Laudrups, Elkjaer, Lerby, Molby, Olsen... that's the blueprint.

Brentford: Bentley, Odubajo, Macleod, Mepham, Canos, Yennaris, Maupay, McEachran, Judge, Dalsgaard, Konsa.

Subs: Daniels, Henry, Dasilva, Marcondes, Clarke, Barbet, Oksanen.

Middlesbrough: Randolph, Fry, Batth, Flint, Friend, Clayton, Howson, Besic, Downing, Tavernier, Hugill.

Subs: Dimi, Ayala, McNair, Wing, Saville, Assombalonga, Gestede.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough as a football club are quite fittingly moulded in the image of their region, seemingly inspired by the heavy industry that was once its beating heart.

Steel was a major part out of the output, and it is that tough, yet malleable material which sums up the Boro way.

Three clean sheets in a row, unbeaten in six and a comfortable 2-0 win against Wigan Athletic last time out are evidence of that.

Coincidentally, Tony Pulis is a Newport lad, from a south Wales city with a similar industrial background. The two seem a perfect fit.

Image source, Rex Features

It's by no means crisis time at Griffin Park, but Brentford's early season hot form has given way to a more tepid stream of results.

One win in the past 11 games, against London rivals Millwall, is a concern, but in only two of their six losses have the Bees lost by more than one goal.

Thomas Frank's side have had no problem scoring goals, but can ill-afford to throw away a lead in defeat as they did in their derby loss to Queens Park Rangers before the international break.

"We believe we have the tools to open them and create chances," he told BBC Radio London.

"But we need to do that in the right situations. Every time we have an opportunity we need to play forward and take care of the transitions."

One positive is that Neal Maupay continues to find the net with regularity. The Frenchman has 12 in 17 games, and is the top scorer in the top three divisions.

Image source, Rex Features

Last, but certainly not least, we've got Brentford and Middlesbrough going head-to-head from 17:30 GMT.

What a way to close a Saturday.

• A late winner for Stevenage meant MK Dons missed out on a chance to go top of the table.
• Both Colchester United and Exeter City and Tranmere and Oldham played out 1-1 draws, while Swindon Town defeated Port Vale 1-0.
• At the wrong end of the table, Macclesfield Town beat Yeovil Town 1-0 and Notts County were held to a 1-1 draw with Morecambe.

• Ten-man Sunderland come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 away to Walsall.
• League leaders Portsmouth held on to beat Scunthorpe 2-1 and extend their lead at the top of the division to four points.
• At the bottom of the table, Bradford defeated Oxford 2-0 and Wimbledon came from behind to beat Southend 2-1.
• There were also wins for Plymouth over Fleetwood and Luton over Gillingham.

Image source, PA

• Norwich City thrash Swansea City to remain top of the Championship table, extending their lead over third-placed West Bromwich Albion to five points.
• Leeds United move up to second with a 2-0 win over Bristol City, who had Josh Brownhill sent off.
• Jack Marriott scores the winner as Derby County come back to win at Sheffield Wednesday, while Preston hammer Blackburn and Stoke are held at home to QPR.

Before we turn our attentions towards the 17:30 GMT kick-off in the Championship, let's run you through this afternoon's headlines from the English Football League...

Image source, Rex Features

Veteran full-back Angel Rangel rescues a point for the Rs after Stoke had come from behind to lead through Saido Berahino and Joe Allen.

Rangel, who'd opened the scoring, snatched a late equaliser.

Both sides remain outside the top six, losing a bit of ground, but keep unbeaten runs alive with the result.

It's finished all-square after Jiri Skalak's late equaliser for the hosts cancelled out Mark Beevers' early opener.

What a big win that is for Preston, who find themselves in the bottom half of the table but their form of late suggests a false position,

This win is a massive boost to their goal difference, while Blackburn's takes a dent, as does their challenge for the top six.

Lancashire pride remains at Deepdale tonight.

Nottingham Forest keep themselves in the play-off hunt with an excellent 2-0 away win against Hull City, whose recent form had been encouraging.

Lewis Grabban and Joe Lolley have been familiar Forest scorers this term, and kept that up this afternoon with a goal apiece.

Image source, Rex Features

Leeds United are back up to second in the Championship table thanks to goals from Pablo Hernandez and Kemar Roofe.

Daniel Farke can do no wrong with Norwich City this season as they secure their sixth straight win to remain top of the Championship.

Four goals, shared among four different scorers, with just one in reply are evidence of their class against a Swans side just outside the top six.

The real deal? On this display you would have to say so.

Derby bounce back from their humbling by Aston Villa to secure an impressive 2-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

The Rams trailed after Adam Reach's smart finish but two genuine talents - Harry Wilson and Jack Marriott - scored the first-half goals that were enough to seal the win, in spite of the Owls' fightback.

This win keeps the visitors in the play-off places, a point ahead of bitter rivals Forest.