This article is part of Football FanCast's The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more... 

West Brom will be looking to resume service this weekend as the Championship season gets back underway following a two-week hiatus for international duty.

The Baggies currently sit top of the table following the 11 matches that have been played with just one defeat to their name, which was handed to them by Leeds United.

Watch West Bromwich Albion Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Days later, Slaven Bilic's side responded perfectly to see off Cardiff City 4-2, so there should be no concerns about their character as the season goes on.

Now they face a trip north to face Middlesbrough and the Croatian will want more breathing room at the league's summit with only three points separating first to ninth.

On the Chalkboard

The Albion boss can give his side the best chance of success if they exploit one of Boro's key weaknesses going into this fixture.

Defensively, Jonathan Woodgate's side haven't been up to scratch, especially over the last few games having conceded seven goals in three matches - four of which were dealt by Garry Monk's Sheffield Wednesday.

One cause of this could be down to the absence of club captain George Friend after he required surgery on a ruptured tendon earlier in the season.

Boro sit precariously in 20th, just two points off the drop zone, so the 32-year-old's absence has clearly been felt harshly.

While at left-back, they have an inexperienced man in Marc Bola, who was hugely exposed by Wednesday during their thrashing and it appears to be a troublesome area - even when he wasn't on the pitch last time out against Birmingham, they still had the same problems, according to TeessideLive.

West Brom's wingers have been their most significant threat so far this season with them on track to surpass last season's goals per game total - clearly an area of strength.

Grady Diangana and Matt Phillips have four goals apiece and will surely be relishing this weak-looking defence - Bilic has to set let them loose to gain those vital three points.