As well as following our live text coverage of this evening's game, if you're in the London and West Midlands areas then you can also listen to commentary from our colleagues on BBC local radio.

Unfortunately, rights restrictions mean we're unable to bring you those commentaries online.

Image source, PA Media

In all seriousness about the weather (see 19:00 BST post), the conditions (hot, muggy, potentially wet) could be a real lung-burning tester tonight, for players who have only in the past few weeks returned to full training.

Of course, we'll see the water breaks at the midway point of each half, and also the extra substitutions available, to help with player welfare.

The pace of the game could certainly be affected, it will be interesting to see which team copes with the conditions best.

It's an ominious set of stats for Brentford concerning meetings with West Brom, but they do at least possess an enviable home record.

• Brentford are winless in seven league games against West Brom (D3 L4) since a 1-0 win back in February 1948.
• West Bromwich Albion have won their last two away league visits to Brentford, though those games were separated by just over 27 years (October 1991 and March 2019).
• Brentford have taken 26 points from their last 11 home Championship matches (W8 D2 L1).
• West Brom have won four of their last seven away league matches in London (D2 L1), as many as in their previous 41 visits to the capital.
• West Brom have kept eight away league sheets this season, last keeping nine in a season back in 2003-04 when they won promotion to the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

Griffin Park, Brentford's home for 116 years, is on its final lap before the club moves to a new purpose-built ground at the end of the season.

There is a tinge of sadness that for the final five home games of the season, no Bees fans will be able to cheer their side on.

That said, with the optimism around the stadium and the performance of the team on the pitch, could a new ground coincide with a new Premier League team? What a fairytale that could be...

Image source, Rex Features

West Bromwich Albion come into this game at the Championship summit, following Saturday's draw with Birmingham, and Leeds' defeat by Cardiff a day later.

While there were signs of ring-rust from his players in the stalemate, head coach Slaven Bilic is satisfied they will be better for the extra game time.

And they will need to be, given Brentford and their free-scoring attack are the only club to better the Baggies' 64 league goals this season, by just two.

"Everybody had a few little doubts," Bilic told BBC Radio WM. "But the players now have that game under their belt. They lacked that match sharpness but we are now expecting that to be better.

"With all due respect to Birmingham, they knew what they wanted to do, but playing Brentford should be a more normal, two-sided game."

Image source, Rex Features

Brentford's impressive rise up the Championship table has been steered by their affable Danish boss Thomas Frank.

It took some time for Frank to stamp his imprint on the Bees, following his succession of Dean Smith in October 2018, as he won just one of 10 games.

But since those early wobbles the squad he has put together have been top six mainstays since nudging their way into the play-off places in December.

However, taking on the league leaders, the 46-year-old sees his side as the underdogs.

"All the pressure and the advantage is with West Brom," Frank told BBC Radio London. "We can play with absolute and total freedom on Friday, and we can attack.

"In a top game like this all our players need to perform on a seven, eight out of 10 and hopefully a few on a 10 - then we will be in a good place."

Image source, Nick Bruzon

Nick Bruzon: Just been past Griffin Park. Nobody here except Michael Fish. Gutted to be missing out but hopefully it’ll be raining goals.

Brentford are as they were for the returning win against Fulham in the starting line-up, but Bryan Mbuemo is back on the bench after recovering from coronavirus.

Just the one change to the starting XI for West Bromwich Albion, with Grady Diangana replacing Callum Robinson.

Brentford; Raya, Dalsgaard, Jansson, Pinnock, Henry, Jensen, Norgaard, Dasilva, Fosu, Benrahma, Watkins.

Subs: Daniels, Mokotjo, Marcondes, Valencia, Mbuemo, Dervisoglu, Jeanvier, Baptiste, Roerslev

West Brom: Johnstone, Furlong, Ajayi, Hegazi, Gibbs, Sawyers, Livermore, Phillips, Diangana, Pereira, Robson-Kanu.

Subs: Bond, O'Shea, Bartley, Harper, Krovinovic, Robinson, Edwards, Zohore, Austin

One round in, and football is well and truly back.

What a way to welcome in this weekend's round of Championship games, with two teams high in entertainment value.

Promotion is also high on the agenda, with West Brom top and Brentford just eight points behind in fourth spot.

With second-placed Leeds playing Fulham in third tomorrow, it's just one of a number of games with an extra dash of spice.

Image source, PA Media

"Well, temperatures are rising at Griffin Park tonight for Brentford versus West Bromwich Albion - fourth versus first in the Championship.

"We've seen highs of 66 and 64 for goals from these two teams - the two top scorers in the division, so anticipate plenty of crosses and shots to rain in.

"Meanwhile, we expect there'll be a wide band of pressure on both penalty areas, with one or two sticky moments possible for the defences at both ends.

"All in all though, it promises to be a hot one in west London..."