Albion boss Carlos Corberán says he expects a 'challenging' test at St. Andrew's when his side take on Birmingham City on Friday evening (ko 8pm).
The Baggies make the short trip across the second city aiming to make it two consecutive Sky Bet Championship wins against Midlands sides, having beaten Coventry City in their previous fixture.
However, the Spaniard expects it to be a tough task under the lights as Albion travel to take on John Eustace's side.
He said: "I’m expecting a difficult and challenging game, like every game in the Championship. We’re playing them after their last win that they achieved against Swansea, playing a good game and excellent second half.
"I know it’s going to be a difficult game which is going to demand the best from us.
"This is always the focus from us. To focus on ourselves, focus on the way that we need to perform. Knowing that we must always respect our opponent and always be prepared to face the best opponent we can face.
"Always waiting for the best level of our opponent is what demands from us the best level of our performance."
The fixture is not one without its history, but despite the rivalry between the two local sides, Corberán is keen to see his players hold the fixture in the same regard as any other this season.
"I want the players to give the same importance to every game.
"If I see the team giving more importance to one game than others I wouldn’t be happy because that means that we aren’t giving enough respect to our competition and not giving enough respect to ourselves or our fans when we’re out on the football pitch.
"We go for the three points. Fortunately, with my group of players they’re always going to go onto the football pitch giving our best. If we don’t give our best we’ll see what we didn’t do.
"In football, you can lose, you can win, you can draw. But we can only accept the result when we give our best. Even when you’re winning, if you’re not giving your best you know you’re doing things that you need to correct.
"I like to see the players playing the games with the highest level of commitment."
The game comes in the same week the boss committed his future to the club after agreeing a new deal which keeps him in B71 until the summer of 2027.
The 39-year-old admitted that he was delighted to put pen-to-paper on the new contract extension, hailing the support he's received from the fans after taking the reins in October.
"I feel very, very proud to represent West Bromwich Albion, very proud every time I’m in a game whether we’re playing away or at home because being able to represent our support means a lot to me and extending my commitment means a lot to me too." He said.
"I think the level of support the fans have given to the team and me personally too from the beginning has been very important to me because as a coach when you feel this from the people, it’s the best feeling you can have.
"I always try to give my best to give to them the same level of happiness and pride when they are watching the team compete on the football pitch.
"To extend this commitment, it makes me feel very pleased to represent them. The love that they sent to me from the first moment made me feel that I’m in a very special club."
