Burnley provide West Ham United with an immediate warning about the demands of winning promotion as Nuno Espírito Santo prepares for Sunday’s Championship opener at Turf Moor.
The Burnley West Ham Championship meeting brings together two relegated sides targeting an immediate return to the Premier League.
West Ham may begin the season among the promotion favourites, but Burnley arrive with something Nuno’s rebuilt squad largely lacks: recent experience of escaping the division.
Their previous two Championship campaigns have both ended in promotion.
Burnley promotion record gives West Ham warning
Burnley were relegated from the Premier League in 2022 before responding emphatically under Vincent Kompany.
The Clarets accumulated 101 points during the 2022/23 Championship season, earning promotion at the first attempt after a 22-game unbeaten run. Burnley’s official club history details that dominant promotion campaign.
Premier League survival lasted only one season, but Burnley responded again.
Scott Parker guided them back into the top flight during the 2024/25 campaign, with the EFL confirming Burnley’s promotion following a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United.
Another relegation has now brought them back to the Championship, but their recent history shows West Ham cannot treat Sunday as a gentle introduction.
Burnley’s last two seasons at this level have both ended with Premier League football.
Nicky Hayen already targets immediate Burnley return
New Burnley head coach Nicky Hayen has made his objective clear.
Speaking to Burnley’s official website after taking charge, Hayen described returning to the Premier League as quickly as possible as a “huge challenge” and acknowledged the success of the managers who came before him.
That gives Sunday’s fixture added significance.
West Ham are attempting the same immediate recovery following relegation, while Burnley are trying to repeat a formula which has already worked twice in recent years.
Expectations around Nuno’s side are therefore high before a ball has been kicked.
Burnley injuries give West Ham an opening
Burnley will not be at full strength for the opener.
ReadWestHam reported that Jordan Beyer, Josh Cullen and Jaydon Banel are expected to miss the West Ham game, reducing Hayen’s options for his first Championship league match in charge.
talkSPORT also reports that Burnley are dealing with those three first-team absences, while West Ham will be without Tomáš Souček. Their full Burnley v West Ham team-news guide can be read here.
Nuno should therefore see an opportunity at Turf Moor.
But Burnley’s Championship record provides a warning against assuming relegation has weakened them beyond recognition.
West Ham want their own stay outside the Premier League to last only one season.
Sunday’s opponents have already proved twice how quickly that can be achieved.
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