Since returning to the Championship in 2018, West Brom have won all three of their league meetings with Stoke. Another one tonight would give them a big lead at the summit.

They've got the possession at the moment, just inside their own half. It's been a fairly quiet start.

Image source, PA Media

Oh dear. This is a real shame for Grady Diangana. Not long back from an injury, he's going off injured already, after getting hurt off the ball. Nobody was around him. He appeared to stumble while running to chase down a loose ball. He sat down on the turf and grimaced, shaking his head.

Kenneth Zohore comes on to replace the West Ham loanee, who looks gutted.

Stoke start really brightly and they force the game's first corner through Tyrese Campbell.

The hosts defend the corner well though and the danger is cleared for now.

Visitors Stoke, in their black away kit, get this game going. The Baggies are in their usual home kit.

Here come the players, as they walk out on to the field at The Hawthorns. It's another bitterly cold night. The stands look packed and the atmosphere is lively.

Ged Scott
BBC Sport at The Hawthorns

Image source, Ged Scott

... Must have one of the best views in football.

So many are shut away down corridors and a couple of flights of stairs away!

But not at The Hawthorns, where the press have always been made very welcome.

And it’s a great view in the press box too.

Meanwhile, Potters boss Michael O'Neill told BBC Stoke:

"Albion have come out of that period of readjusting after coming out of the Premier League and have created a new profile - and they have made a good start.

"But what I have seen from this league so far tells me that anyone is capable of beating anyone else - and we go there with everything to gain.

"They've actually not been in great form in the league but it shows the nature of the game that they've stayed in top spot."

In the run-up to today's game, Albion boss Slaven Bilic told BBC WM 95.6:

"They [Stoke] are a big club and have a very experienced manager, who did brilliant things with Northern Ireland.

"They have a good team on paper. It's one of the best squads. They have improved. We expect nothing less than a proper big game."

Two mates of mine who support Stoke have been in touch this evening and both say they're expecting their side to get absolutely thrashed tonight. It's safe to say they're not feeling confident. The league table suggests they might be right, but I imagine not all Stoke fans would agree.

Readers, what do you reckon? How do you see this one going?

You can send your predictions in via #bbcefl on Twitter.

Image source, Rex Features

On Friday, Stoke signed Northern Ireland midfielder Jordan Thompson for an undisclosed fee from Blackpool.

The 23-year-old arrived a two-and-a-year deal with the Potters and is on the bench tonight.

You can read more here.

Stoke remain without captain Ryan Shawcross (calf). Tonight they make just one change as Tom Ince comes in for Sam Vokes.

Stoke XI: Butland, Smith, Batth, Lindsay, Martins Indi, Allen, Clucas, Ince, Powell, McLean, Campbell.

Subs: Davies, Vokes, Gregory, Cousins, Ngoy, Thompson, Collins.

The hosts make two changes, as Grady Diangana and Ahmed Hegazy replace Kenneth Zohore and Semi Ajayi, who are both on the bench.

WBA XI: Johnstone, Furlong, Bartley, Hegazi, Townsend, Livermore, Sawyers, Phillips, Pereira, Diangana, Robson-Kanu.

Subs: Bond, Ajayi, Brunt, Krovinovic, Edwards, Zohore, Austin.

Image source, BBC Sport

For Stoke, meanwhile, tonight is a chance to move four points clear of the relegation zone, if they can inflict only a third league loss of the season on the hosts.

Image source, BBC Sport

Here's how things stand at the top of the table for the Baggies, who have been caught a little by the teams below them following their run of four draws and one defeat in their past five league matches.

Tonight, though, they would go four points clear at the top with a win and - more importantly - eight points clear of third-placed Fulham. It's a big opportunity.

Image source, Rex Features

This evening's entertainment comes from the West Midlands, where the Championship leaders West Brom are looking to end their somewhat stuttering run of just one win in their past five league games.

The visitors, Stoke, are under pressure of a different kind - they're just one point above the relegation zone.

Image source, Rex Features

Good evening! Thanks for checking in.

According to some, today's the most depressing day of the year. Thankfully, sport has a way of brightening any day.

I prefer to think of today as the fourth of what will be 13 consecutive days of domestic football in England, and the next 10 promise to be just as good as the first three. When you look at it like that, isn't this a wonderful time of year?

Tonight, the January show goes on with two sides at opposite ends of the Championship. Kick-off at The Hawthorns is just half an hour away.