Slaven Bilic admits pressure is ramped up on Leeds United and West Brom by 'unfair' Championship arrangement

Third-placed Brentford are continuing a relentless pursuit of Leeds and West Brom in the Championship's automatic promotion places and Thomas Frank's side again played first during the mid-week fixtures with Tuesday's hosting of Charlton Athletic.

A 2-1 victory against the Addicks took the Bees two points behind West Brom and three behind Leeds who have again been asked to play last as part of fixtures being selected for live broadcast on Sky Sports.

West Brom responded with Wednesday evening's 2-0 success at home to Derby County which has put the Baggies top - two points ahead of Leeds - and five ahead of Brentford.

United will now look to reclaim leadership of the division and ensure they end the mid-week games still six points clear of Brentford in today's 5pm kick-off at home to Stoke City before the Bees will again be first to go this weekend.

Thomas Frank's side will visit Derby for a Saturday 12.30pm kick-off before West Brom play Blackburn Rovers in a 3pm Saturday kick-off at Ewood Park.

Once again, Leeds will be last to go as they take on Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium the following day in a 1.30pm kick-off.

Fourth-placed Fulham - who are two points behind Brentford - are also in the mix and Bilic admits added pressure playing after the chasing pack is inevitable and also unfair with the Baggies boss admitting the only solution is to go out and win.

Asked by Sky Sports whether he was taking more pleasure about returning to the top of the table or keeping the gap to Brentford at five points, Bilic admitted: "Five point gap, definitely.

"It's a very nervous end of the Championship because of the clubs that are behind us and they are doing well.

"There is a lot of pressure, it's not easy for the boys but they cope with that excellently.

"We are trying to keep this gap as big as possible, trying to extend it but the teams below us are not letting us do that.

"It's almost every time that they play the day before which puts more pressure on us so it's not easy for the guys to enter the game.

"But we ask them to be brave, we ask them to play football, we ask them to express themselves but at the same time with being solid and compact and hungry and with the game plan the execution was phenomenal."

Bilic added: "The guys below us are putting the pressure on us and Leeds. We don’t the pressure on each other.

"It’s normal to feel the pressure, especially when you have your direct opponents playing a day before - especially when they’re doing great.

“It’s a little bit unfair that they’re playing before us every time, so it puts a lot more pressure onto us. The only thing we can do is respond in the way we did."