Eng. Championship
2026-08-16 - Burnley vs West Ham United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Sunday 16th August 2026 - Kick Off 4pm
This game is live on TV
Burnley
As was the case two years ago, Burnley have been promoted and relegated from the Premier League under the same manager, although Scott Parker did not see out the last campaign like Vincent Kompany did in 2024. The Burnley owners wanted to bring in Craig Bellamy, but they failed to conclude a deal and the attention turned to Nicky Hayen.
The task is pretty simple for the new manager- Burnley will be expecting to challenge for an immediate return to the Premier League. However, Burnley begin the season behind the likes of West Ham United, Wolves and Middlesbrough in the outright market and there is a feeling that Burnley need to bring in more reinforcements to bolster the squad before the transfer window is closed until January.
Burnley were relegated from the Premier League with the fewest home wins in the Division and that will have to be changed in the Championship if they are going to finish in the top two places. Penalties were needed to beat Notts County in the League Cup First Round and that result means Burnley have not won any of the last 14 in all competitions in normal time. Burnley have also failed to win any of the last 10 home games in all competitions, although the last 3 have all ended in draws in regulation time.
West Ham United
Relegation would have really stung West Ham United having turned the form around under Nuno Espirito Santo a little too late in the 2025/26 season. It has been a summer of controversy at the London Stadium with allegations about David Sullivan meaning there is a real chance that the club will be sold, although Sullivan himself is digging in even after being forced to resign as director.
Fans will be upset with issues off the field, but the club have to be glad they have managed to retain the services of the manager. It is no surprise that relegation has meant some players have departed, but West Ham United are also going to be able to call upon Jarrod Bowen this season and they are the favourites to win the Championship and make an immediate return to the Premier League.
West Ham United beat Portsmouth at home in the League Cup First Round last weekend and they concluded the last campaign with a victory over Leeds United, but a run of 3 straight defeats had already proved to be costly. The Hammers finished 2 points from safety, but had mid-table form through the second half of the season once Nuno Espirito Santo's methods took hold. West Ham United have lost 3 of the last 4 away games played, but in the Premier League.
Head to Head
West Ham United and Burnley were relegated together last season, but it was the former who won both Premier League games.
Two first half goals helped West Ham United to a 0-2 win at Turf Moor and they are now unbeaten in 4 visits to this ground and have won 3 of those matches.
Prediction
Only one of the last twenty-one seasons has been spent outside of the Premier League, but that is what awaits West Ham United over the next nine months.
Nuno Espirito Santo has previously guided Wolves out of this Division, and that experience is a huge positive, while retaining his services will have given West Ham United a boost in confidence.
The second half form suggests West Ham United should be too good for the Championship and they have kept some very important names.
Jarrod Bowen is the standout remaining and this is an early opportunity for West Ham United to make a statement to all of their rivals for promotion.
They are visiting one of those when travelling to Turf Moor, but Burnley look a little more undercooked for the season.
You have to expect further signings to be made to bolster the options for new manager Nicky Hayen- the Belgian has built a solid reputation, but the Championship cares little for those and Burnley may need a bit of time to understand the new methods.
The squad may have more Championship experience having been promoted from this Division in 2023 and 2025 and Burnley reached 100 points both times. That has to be respected, but West Ham United have enjoyed recent visits to Turf Moor and have the qualities to earn a victory here on the opening weekend of the season.
The Pick :
Burnley 0-1 West Ham United
