Forest get a free-kick down in the left corner which whizzes in but Sam Johnstone beats it clear and the visitors cannot recycle it sufficiently.

Then, Tobias Figueiredo clatters into the back of Callum Robinson, and the Forest defender goes into Gavin Ward's book.

Image source, Rex Features

Again, the hassle and harry in midfield is working for Albion, and Forest keeper Brice Samba's distribution needs to be better.

Twice he's lofted passes out straight to West Brom players.

It's catching, as Kyle Bartley hands the ball straight to Forest's Brennan Johnson, but his run and acute angle shot is easily dealt with.

Brennan Johnson just does Matt Clarke like a kipper on the right for Forest, but gets taken down and earns the Baggies defender a booking.

Just before that, Lewis Grabban does really well to bring the ball down in midfield and slides towards the West Brom box but he's surrounded by Baggies defenders and his little slide-rule pass is mopped up easily.

West Brom's press, a Valerien Ismael hallmark, is really denying Forest time to think and breathe.

The home side have an impressive record here and that confidence is tangible.

Alex Mowatt nails a shot from the edge of the box just wide, after Joe Worrall blocks a Conor Townsend attempt in the box.

Then another raid sees Townsend sting a low cross in which Brice Samba dives on gratefully.

Flood of Baggies attacks so far.

Cedric Kipre did get away with a loose attempt to clear just before, it deflected off Lewis Grabban but to no danger.

Image source, Rex Features

Forest looking like a pack of fluorescent marker pens in their almost nuclear away kit of hi-viz yellow and orange.

Baggies in their traditional blue and white stripes.

Lively opening too. Callum Robinson skips down the left and curls in a cross which is headed away by Joe Worrall in the Forest box.

Conor Townsend follows up with another delivery from the left but it slips over the bar.

Here we go then.

Gavin Ward toots to signify we're underway.

He's sent off a Forest player in each of his last two games he's officiated involving the Garibaldi...

His last Baggies game was a 2-0 win over Millwall in February 2020.

Image source, Rex Features

It's Rainbow Laces round this week, as football shows its support for the LGBT community.

We've got corner flags, captain's armbands and even a ball-drying towel for Albion's catapult-esque throw-in expert Darnell Furlong.

Not far from kick-off... here are the two teams.

Callum Robinson replaces Matty Phillips in the West Bromwich Albion line-up tonight, with the latter dropping to the bench.

Nottingham Forest have four changes with Gaetan Bong, Tobias Figueiredo, Ryan Yates and tonight's skipper Lewis Grabban in.

Jack Colback, Joe Lolley, Braian Ojeda and Lyle Taylor come out of the starting XI.

West Brom: Johnstone, Furlong, Clarke, Bartley, Townsend, Molumby, Mowatt, Kipre, Diangana, Robinson, Grant

Subs: Button, Ajayi, Phillips, Hugill, Reach, Gardner-Hickman, Fellows

Nott'm Forest: Samba, Figueiredo, Worrall, McKenna, Spence, Zinckernagel, Yates, Garner, Bong, Johnson, Grabban

Subs: Horvath, Mighten, Dias, Ojeda, Lolley, Drager, Taylor

Image source, Getty Images

The sad passing of Frank Burrows will have special significance for home supporters tonight at The Hawthorns, as he served West Bromwich Albion during a distinguished coaching career.

He was alongside Gary Megson for two Premier League promotions during his time at West Brom, and was coincidentally also offered the chance to join his old gaffer at Forest later in his career, but turned down the opportunity.

Burrows died aged 77, and there will be a tribute to mark his life while players will wear black armbands for tonight's game.

Image source, Getty Images

At this time of year, when it's as chilly as it is tonight, West Brom's Boiler Man mascot is a pertinent reminder to get yours serviced.

Who wants a breakdown when the temps are down eh?

Image source, Rex Features/Getty Images

There were midweek goalless draws apiece for West Brom and Forest against Blackpool and Luton respectively.

At the heart of both stalemates was some impressive goalkeeping from England international Sam Johnstone and his Forest counterpart Brice Samba.

Johnstone clawed away a couple of goalbound efforts, in particular with one remarkable double-save.

Samba saved a penalty and was also on hand to keep the Hatters at bay with some other important stops.

Will they be the matchwinners or pointsavers tonight?

Colchester United also play host to Newport County tonight in a Friday night League Two 'coast-to-coast' adventure that I'm sure fans were 'delighted' about.

It's kicking off about now, and we'll keep you across the score there as it progresses.

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Cooper's turnaround of Nottingham Forest is a shot-in-the-arm to all those who preach the value of coaching a squad over rebuilding one.

Granted, the Welshman hasn't had a transfer window in which to work his magic yet, but with the tools he inherited and who were hardly pulling up (Tricky) trees, he has worked magic of his own.

One defeat in 12, against a ripsnorting Fulham side by the way, has pulled them clear of the whirlpool at the bottom of the Championship and into the rush-hour-Tube-esque squeeze of mid-table.

Such is the congestion in that portion, that the Garibaldi are only seven points behind Stoke in sixth. Some bounce-back from waiting til mid-September for a first win.

Image source, Getty Images

Having avoided defeat in their first 10 Championship games of the season under Valerien Ismael, West Bromwich Albion established themselves as one of the teams to beat this term.

However, they've incresingly had to rely on their solid base as a 'Jekyll and Hyde' pattern of mostly home wins and travelling losses respectively has seen then tumble out of the top two while Fulham and Bournemouth set the pace.

Goals have proved a little harder to come by, as Karlan Grant's seven in eight between the end of September and early November have been followed by no goals in three. A return to form would be timely.

Interestingly, the Baggies' unbeaten home record this season coincides with a run of four winless games against Forest at their famous old home. Ismael's side must go against historical form to keep it alive.

Welcome to the first edition of BBC Sport's EFL coverage this weekend.

Three days of action to come.

No time to waste.

Image source, Rex Features

Good evening...

To those braving the Hawthorns tonight, I salute you. The ingredients are hardly mouthwatering as Storm Arwen does her bit.

Rain has been forecast to lash its way across the pitch, likewise winds to bash you about like a rugged 1970's centre-half and temperatures as low as the price of a pint around that time.

Forget 'samba' at the Smethwick End... it'll probably just be sleet.

Yet, West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest still have a game to play which has plenty riding on it respectively.