Ged Scott
BBC Sport at The Hawthorns

It's testimony to the job Blues have done so far at The Hawthorns that it's all gone rather quiet here.

They have won here just once in their last nine away league visits - a 3-2 Premier League win under Steve Bruce in August 2005 when Emile Heskey scored two of Birmingham's goals.

And they have not beaten Albion at all since Gary McSheffrey netted twice in a 2-0 win at St Andrew's, also under Bruce, in October 2006.

Lee Bowyer's men have not scored in four matches - and shipped eight at the other end.

But they will be quite pleased with how it's gone so far.

Image source, Rex Features

It would be interesting to know how long the ball has actually been in play here.

The match is so stop-start. Which you think would suit Birmingham, who have slipped to 16th after a run of just one point from a possible 15.

No more goals after those three in the opening 14 minutes in League One, although Morecambe did go close to a leveller just before the break when Adam Phillips' corner hit the post.

Could do with a goal in the Championship now...

Image source, Rex Features

The free-kick doesn't beat the first man and West Brom clear.

An injection of quality needed.

West Brom's Conor Townsend has been great going forward but fouls Tahith Chong out by the touchline as he tries to defend.

A chance here for Birmingham to swing one in.

There's another break in play as Birmingham striker Scott Hogan receives some treatment.

No shortage of effort on show so far, but West Brom haven't really got going.

Lee Bowyer will be pleased with how his Birmingham side have settled.

Image source, Rex Features

There are already a few murmurs of discontent across The Hawthorns.

Although West Brom are right up there in the table, it seems some fans are less than convinced with the team's style of play under Valerien Ismael.

Birmingham have been relatively untroubled so far, with Conor Townsend the only threat for the hosts.

Am I allowed to moan about the use of towels to dry the ball for long throws?

Both sides are doing it and it does the flow of the game no favours.

There's no denying that the long throw has been incredibly effective for these teams, though.

Birmingham break from the resulting corner, having left two players up field, and Tahith Chong wins them a corner of their own.

From the cross, Kristian Pedersen lashes one towards goal but it's blocked by his own man.

Conor Townsend is given space to roam forward from wing-back and sees a stinging shot tipped over by Birmingham keeper Matija Sarkic.

The first shot on target goes to the hosts.

Lukas Jutkiewicz, Birmingham's captain for the night, takes a knock to the back.

The physio comes on but all is well, and the striker will continue.

Ged Scott
BBC Sport at The Hawthorns

It's well and truly derby weekend in the West Midlands.

Aston Villa play Wolves in the Premier League tomorrow.

But first tonight we have the West Bromwich Albion-Birmingham City curtain raiser at The Hawthorns - and already it's a fantastic atmosphere as you'd expect of the first derby game since crowds returned following the Covid pandemic.

Both sets of fans already in great voice. How DID football manage without crowds?!

Image source, Rex Features

Marc Roberts' first long throw of the night for Birmingham is comfortably dealt with.

It's been the usual frantic start you'd expect to see in a derby, but no openings as of yet.

These two teams aren't necessarily known for slick passing play, but you can expect the game to be played at a frenetic pace.

Richard Wilford
BBC Radio WM Sport

Birmingham boss Lee Bowyer does not expect to need to issue a rallying call for this fixture. It may not be the biggest of the West Midlands derby games but it is always keenly contested, and Bowyer’s certain that everyone in his squad is well aware of the significance of the occasion.

His managerial spell at St Andrew’s has hit its first significant blip, but it’s one he is very confident of overcoming.

Conor Townsend has had a couple forays down the left for West Brom, but on this occasion he crosses to... no-one.

Not even Callum Robinson, who scored a hat-trick for the Republic of Ireland in the international break, was in the box to get on the end of that.

Rob Gurney
BBC Radio WM Sport

Both clubs have been stewing on a defeat for a fortnight coming into this one - a new experience for Albion, under Valerien Ismael in the Championship this season, following their club record start of 10 games unbeaten.

They looked tired at Stoke, after expending so much energy only three nights before, in winning stylishly at Cardiff.

The international break could have come at the perfect time for Ismael and his players, although the biggest concern remains whether this West Brom squad can be consistent enough in the most demanding division in the country.

Image source, Rex Features

A crazy start at the Pirelli Stadium!

Liam Gibson gave Morecambe a third-minute lead, but goals from Thomas O'Connor and Conor Shaughnessy have turned the game around for the hosts.

Just under 20 minutes gone.

They're under way at The Hawthorns, and it's bouncing.

There's been the best part of two weeks to build up to this game - let's hope the action lives up to it.

If you live in the Birmingham or Black Country area you can listen to live commentary of the game on BBC Radio WM.

We can't give you that coverage online because of contractual reasons, so the pressure's on me to bring the match to life using the written word.

Alan Miller died in June, at the age of 51.

He made more than 100 appearances for West Brom and had a loan spell with Birmingham in the 1991-92 campaign.