Expect Burnley to line up in their usual 4-4-2, compact and narrow, looking to frustrate and nick something on the break. They will sit deep, let West Ham have the ball, and hope the crowd at Turf Moor can suck a goal in from a set-piece or a moment of chaos. It is a classic Championship home setup — low block, second balls, and a prayer. But against a West Ham side with genuine width and runners in the half-spaces, that shape can get stretched. The full-backs will be pinned back, and the midfield two will be chasing shadows.

West Ham, under Nuno, are expected to set up in a 4-4-2 of their own, but with far more intent. The predicted XI reads like a Premier League team sheet: Hermansen in goal, a back four of Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman and Scarles, with Kanté anchoring the midfield. That is a spine with real pedigree. Bowen will drift from the right, Solomon will stretch the left, and Castellanos will lead the line with the kind of physical presence that Championship defenders hate. They will not park the bus — they will come to play, to dominate possession, and to knife through Burnley's lines with quick, vertical passes. This is a side that knows it is too good for this league, and they will want to prove it from the first whistle.