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West Ham begin their 2025/26 Championship campaign with a visit to Turf Moor, as they take on Burnley this Sunday. The Irons’ opener will prove a tough test for Nuno Espírito Santo and his side. Burnley were relegated from the Premier League along with West Ham last season and, like the Hammers, will be looking to make an immediate return to the top flight. West Ham have made two signings that could make their league debut for the club at the weekend. Joël Veltman made a brief cameo appearance in the Irons’ 3-1 cup win over Portsmouth at the weekend. Manor Solomon could make his debut for the club after signing from Tottenham. The Hammers are expected to sign Arne Engels from Celtic this weekend for a £22 million fee. If he is registered with the EFL by noon on Saturday, he will be eligible to face the Clarets on Sunday. Over the summer, there have been a few changes at Burnley. While most people have pinned West Ham and Wolves as promotion favourites, many people have predicted that the Clarets will have to settle for the play-offs – but they will undoubtedly prove to be one of the strongest teams in the league. Nicky Hayen has been appointed as their new head coach. The Belgian arrives after a season managing Genk, the Irons’ Europa League group-stage opponents in 2021. Burnley will be the tenth club Hayen has managed in his 13-year managerial career. He has never previously managed in England, but was Head Coach at Welsh Premier League side Haverfordwest County during the 2021-22 season. He took charge of his first competitive game last weekend, as the Clarets faced Notts County in the Carabao Cup. The game finished 1-1 after full-time, but Burnley beat the League One side 4-3 on penalties to progress to Round Two. Starting the season at Turf Moor is no easy task. But with the right selection and mentality, Nuno’s side can get their league campaign off to the right start. Manor Solomon needs to start on the left wing. He had a full pre-season at Spurs and should be match fit. Lewis Orford impressed against Pompey last weekend, but Mohamadou Kanté may provide more mobility in midfield alongside the experienced Edson Álvarez. MY XI: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles, Álvarez, Kanté, Bowen, Solomon, Pablo, Taty. Nuno noted in his press conference that the Irons started slowly in the game against Portsmouth and can’t afford to do the same this weekend. It will be interesting to see how West Ham start the game on Sunday, but if the Hammers are quick out of the blocks, they have every chance of securing an important first win of the season. COME ON YOU IRONS!