Two of the leading promotion contenders begin their 2026-27 Championship campaigns at Turf Moor on Sunday as Burnley welcome West Ham United.

Both clubs dropped out of the Premier League last season and will be targeting an immediate return to the top flight. West Ham arrive with an unbeaten pre-season behind them and an encouraging EFL Cup victory over Portsmouth, while Burnley’s preparations under new head coach Nicky Hayen have been less convincing.

With two squads expected to be competing towards the top of the Championship, the opening weekend provides an early test of their promotion credentials.

West Ham look ready to justify promotion expectations

West Ham have already raised significant funds this summer through the departures of Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, but keeping Jarrod Bowen may ultimately prove their most important piece of business.

Bowen provides Nuno Espírito Santo with a proven Premier League match-winner at Championship level, while the arrivals of Joel Veltman and Manor Solomon add further experience and quality to a squad that is likely to change again before the transfer window closes.

The early evidence suggests that West Ham have handled the upheaval reasonably well. They went unbeaten through five pre-season fixtures, including a 5-0 victory at Stevenage and a goalless draw against Rangers, before opening their competitive campaign with a 3-1 EFL Cup victory over Portsmouth last weekend.

Sunday represents a substantial increase in difficulty. Turf Moor should be one of the Championship’s toughest destinations this season, and victory there would provide Nuno’s side with an immediate statement as they attempt to establish themselves at the top of the division.

Solomon may have to wait for his full debut following his recent arrival from Tottenham, while Veltman could also begin among the substitutes. El Hadji Malick Diouf’s future remains uncertain and he may be left out of the starting XI, while Keiber Lamadrid is expected to miss the game with a minor injury.

Burnley searching for a strong start under Hayen

Burnley enter the Championship with the same objective as their visitors but considerably more uncertainty surrounding their preparations.

Hayen has only had around five weeks to work with his new squad, and several important players have departed Turf Moor. Maxime Estève has joined RB Leipzig, while Jaidon Anthony has moved to Brentford, leaving Burnley with further work to do before the transfer window closes.

Ugo Raghouber and Lluc Castell are among the new arrivals, although both will need time to establish themselves in English football.

Results over the summer have also been modest. Burnley failed to win during pre-season, although draws against Espanyol and narrow defeats to Ajax and Torino provided worthwhile tests against strong opposition.

Their first competitive fixture did not produce a victory in normal time either. Hayen’s side were held 1-1 by Notts County in the EFL Cup before eventually progressing on penalties.

Burnley could retain much of the side that started that game, although Josh Laurent offers an alternative to Raghouber in midfield. Hayen also has a decision to make further forward, where Zeki Amdouni could replace Aaron Ramsey if the Burnley boss wants a more attacking setup.

Whatever the starting XI, Burnley will hope that returning to Turf Moor brings the best out of a squad that has yet to find much momentum under its new manager.

Verdict

West Ham appear further along in their preparations, having gone unbeaten throughout pre-season before producing a convincing competitive victory against Portsmouth.

Burnley’s summer has been more disrupted, but their home advantage should not be underestimated. Turf Moor has traditionally been a difficult destination for Championship opponents, and Hayen’s side still possess enough quality to make this an awkward opening fixture for West Ham.

With neither team likely to want to give an early advantage to another promotion contender, a cautious and low-scoring encounter looks likely.

Tip

Draw.