It has been a tale of contrasting summers with Burnley eventually settling on Nicky Hayen as their new boss, whose possession-based style paid dividends at Club Brugge and Genk, after their prolonged pursuit of Wales' Craig Bellamy.
The Hammers have opted for continuity with Nuno Espirito Santo sticking around despite relegation, hoping to replicate his 2018 heroics with Wolves as they walked their way to the second-tier title, and Jarrod Bowen remaining is a monumental boost for their promotion hopes.
It was inevitable for both that they would lose some of their firepower, although the Clarets look more affected.
Castellanos netted the second in a comfortable 2-0 win against Burnley in February (Photo by West Ham United FC/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)
Maxime Esteve, Jaidon Anthony and Florentino are among those who have headed for the exit, while the visitors seemed to have profited from two key departures in Cyrsencio Summerville and Mateus Fernandes, recouping around £140 million for the pair.
Both have added three signings to their armoury with more expected to come in before the window slams shut, yet West Ham's squad looks much more equipped on paper to mount a serious title pursuit.
Contrasting summers at the top
Burnley stormed to the Championship title in their previous two stints at the level but look a far weaker outfit now, while questions continue to loom over West Ham and the futures of several key players who are yet to be resolved.
But who will lay down an early marker and get their league campaign off to an ideal start?
Team news
Burnley
Jaydon Banel, who spent last season on loan at Derby County, will be absent due to an unspecified injury sustained in training, with Hayen confirming the former Ajax man will not be in action for 'many weeks.'
An influential part of their promotion under Vincent Kompany, Jordan Beyer has had a torrid time with injuries which have plagued his Burnley career. He hasn't been in competitive action since December 2023 and is recovering from a long-term knee injury.
Former Academy of Football graduate Josh Cullen is unavailable to face his boyhood club due to an ACL injury he sustained in December but could return after the September international break.
Ugo Raghouber and Lluc Castell, summer signings from Lille and Espanyol respectively, could make their league debuts after featuring in their EFL Cup progression against Notts County.
West Ham
Manor Solomon looks set to make his debut on the left-hand side of the attack following his move from Tottenham Hotspur this week.
However, they remain without Tomas Soucek, who is on the sidelines after sustaining a serious ankle injury during the FIFA World Cup for the Czech Republic.
James Ward-Prowse could start against the side where he had an unproductive loan stint last term, having been called in from the cold by Espirito Santo.
West Ham's first summer recruit following a loan spell last season is set to miss their league curtain-raiser (Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Keiber Lamadrid remains a doubt after suffering a knee injury in their final pre-season friendly against FC Magdeburg and wasn't involved against Portsmouth.
Brentford have been in pursuit of Senegalese left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf all summer but the 21-year-old remains in east London for now and is expected to start.
Likely line-ups
Burnley: Max Weiss; Kyle Walker, Joe Worrall, Bashir Humphreys; Oliver Sonne, Hannibal Mejbri, Josh Laurent, Zeki Amdouni, Jacob Bruun Larsen; Marcus Edwards, Aaron Ramsay; Zian Flemming
West Ham: Mads Hermansen; Kyle Walker-Peters, Max Kilman, Konstantinos Mavropanos, El Hadji Malick Diouf; James Ward-Prowse, Mohamadou Kante, Edson Alvarez; Manor Solomon, Taty Castellanos, Jarrod Bowen
Key players
Burnley - Zian Flemming
Burnley endured a woeful season and, despite occasional glimpses of promise, they were well short of Premier League standard, yet Flemming was certainly a bright spark.
The 28-year-old first arrived at Turf Moor on loan from divisional rivals Millwall and helped achieve promotion two seasons ago thanks to his 12 goals.
Last season was perhaps even more noteworthy as he notched 11 Premier League goals in a lacklustre team, the highest tally by a Burnley player in the top flight since Chris Wood scored 12 in the 2020/21 season.
Those numbers are even more impressive given the lack of creative threat behind him, which massively contributed to their relegation, and if the Clarets can keep hold of the Dutch bagsman this summer, they will fancy their chances of promotion.
West Ham - Jarrod Bowen
Perhaps the most integral piece of business West Ham will complete all summer, retaining the services of fan favourite Bowen was a much-needed boost following a catastrophic relegation.
The ex-Hull City wideman wasn't at his sparkling best last term, but still scored nine times and registered 11 assists, having notched 29 goals and 15 assists combined in the two campaigns prior.
He has endeared himself to the Hammers faithful since arriving at the London Stadium at the start of 2020 and his hero-like status could be elevated further if he is to spearhead a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
A fit and firing Bowen is a truly frightening prospect for second-tier defences and his thunderous strike against Portsmouth last time out served as a tantalising appetiser of what we can expect from the 22-time England international this term.
Match information
Where is the game being played?
Turf Moor plays host to this Championship clash.
What time is kick-off?
The match commences at 16:00.
How can I watch?
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football will be providing coverage of the match, with VAVEL providing an on-the-whistle report.
