Nuno Espirito Santo’s side face a daunting first examination as a second-tier outfit, with their hosts also hoping to secure promotion straight back to the Premier League this season.

Despite having sold well in this window and brought in over £150million for Crysencio Summerville, Mateus Fernandes and Freddie Potts, West Ham have struggled to find replacements.

Uncertainty around the club’s ownership has only served to confuse the issue further.

The West Ham boss will be able to call upon El Hadji Malick Diouf, who looks set to stay in east London despite being subject to interest from Brentford earlier in the window.

James Ward-Prowse, meanwhile, has been called in from the cold after spending the second half of last season on loan at Burnley.

Experienced midfielder Tomas Soucek will not be involved against Burnley after suffering a serious ankle injury during the Czech Republic’s final World Cup group match against Mexico at the end of June.

Venezuelan winger Keiber Lamadrid is in a race against time to be fit after sustaining a knee injury during West Ham’s friendly against FC Magdeburg two weeks ago.

Other than that, Nuno has a nearly fully-fit squad to pick from as he looks to make the perfect start to life in the Championship.

The England international had interest from a number of Premier League clubs, but turned down their advances to help West Ham’s promotion bid.

He started the season with a goal in the 3-1 victory over Portsmouth last weekend and will expect to carry on his good form as the focal point of the Hammers’ attack.

Predicted West Ham XI: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Mavropanos, Diouf, Kante, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse, Bowen, Castellanos, Solomon

Time and date: 4pm BST on Sunday August 16, 2026