West Ham United face defending Premier League champions Manchester City this weekend, as their season kicks-off at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men could not have had a tougher start to their campaign, however the new-look Hammers will be hoping their summer signings can inspire them to a shock victory.
West Ham are set to hand their record signing Sebastien Haller his debut in the 12:30pm kick-off, after parting with £45m for the 25-year-old striker, according to BBC Sport.
Last season, the French forward scored 20 goals in 41 appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt, and Hammers fans will be hoping he can have a similar impact upon his arrival in the Premier League.
Pablo Fornals is also in line to make his West Ham debut this weekend, after the midfielder joined the London outfit from Villarreal in a deal worth £24m.
The 23-year-old scored five goals in his 50 outings last season, with the Hammers’ new arrival also making one appearance for Spain before helping the U21s secure the European Championship title with two goals in his five appearances.
Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is fit to play for West Ham despite picking up a groin injury during pre-season and Jack Wilshere is also expected to feature against the Premier League champions.
In a huge blow for Pellegrini though, influential midfielder Mark Noble will miss out due to a dead leg with Saturday’s game coming too soon for him.
West Ham will be looking to build on last season’s 10th placed finish following their impressive transfer dealings during the summer window, and will be out to avenge their defeat to City in the corresponding fixture during the previous campaign.
The Hammers were well beaten 4-0, as a double from Leroy Sane along with goals from David Silva and Raheem Sterling condemned them to defeat at the London Stadium back in November.
It will be the sixth successive season that the London outfit have faced a top six club on the opening day, with their only victory coming in 2015 when the departed Cheikhou Kouyaté and Mauro Zárate helped them to a 2-0 triumph over Arsenal.