The Hammers visit Turf Moor on Sunday on what has now become a critical double header for the Clarets as they face West Ham and then Watford in the space of 4 days. Burnley will feel they need to pick up a minimum of four points from these two home games.

West Ham boss David Moyes began his managerial career at Preston North End before moving to Merseyside where he spent 11 successful years in charge at Everton. In July 2013 Moyes moved to Old Trafford where he had been handpicked as “The Chosen One” to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson. After only ten months at Manchester United however he was sacked and disastrous spells at Real Sociedad and Sunderland swiftly followed. A first short spell managing West Ham ended in May 2018 when his contract was not renewed. A highlight for the Clarets came in March 2018 when in a very hostile atmosphere at the London Stadium three second half goals gave Burnley a comprehensive 3-0 win with each goal prompting a pitch invasion by the disgruntled home fans.

Somewhat surprisingly Moyes was invited back to the West Ham hotseat in December 2019. He has however turned round both the club’s and his own fortunes in this second spell. A 6th place finish in the Premier League in the 2020/21 saw West Ham qualify for the 2021/22 Europa League. Having already won their qualifying group West Ham were able to rest almost their entire first choice eleven when they played their final group game at home to Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday evening. They currently lie 4th in the Premier League with a Champions League place firmly in their sights. Kurt Zouma who injured his hamstring in the Hammers 3-2 win over Chelsea at the beginning of December is out until the end of February and defensive partner Angelo Ogbonna has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury. With full back Aaron Cresswell also a slightly doubtful starter Declan Rice could be asked to play in an unusual role in central defence alongside veteran Craig Dawson. A formidable forward line led by Michail Antonio will be looking to provide the goals as West Ham seek to avoid a third successive PL away defeat after losing to Wolves and Manchester City on the road.

For Burnley these two home games start a crucial run of fixtures that see them travel to Aston Villa, Manchester United and then Leeds with a home game against Everton sandwiched in between on Boxing Day. Ben Mee who missed the defeat at Newcastle with a shoulder injury may well return to the side to face West Ham but Maxwel Cornet is unlikely to have recovered in time from the thigh strain he picked up against the Magpies. Should Mee’s shoulder fail a fitness test then Nathan Collins will continue alongside James Tarkowski. Matej Vydra and Chris Wood will be tasked with exploiting any weaknesses in a makeshift Hammers back four. Burnley’s lightweight midfield of Westwood, Brownhill, McNeil and Gudmundsson remains a real worry with the quartet not figuring on the scoresheet this season. While Burnley are likely to keep their usual 4-4-2 shape this could well be an occasion for a tactical change with Conor Roberts starting on the right of midfield in front of Lowton. We need goals here and after the first half departure of Maxwel Cornet Burnley posed very little threat at all at St James’ Park.

The Match referee is Graham Scott with Jon Moss on VAR. The BBC weather forecast for Sunday afternoon in Burnley is for light rain with a breezy wind. Meanwhile Burnley Women will be hosting Liverpool Women at the County Ground Leyland in the 3rd Round of the Women’s FA Cup. Good luck to both our teams on Sunday. COYC!