West Ham Starting XI: Nuno’s 3 Changes vs Burnley at Turf Moor

Key Points

• Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo has made three changes to West Ham United’s starting XI for the Premier League fixture against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, 7 February 2026, at 3pm GMT.
• Axel Disasi makes his West Ham debut at centre-back, replacing the suspended Jean-Clair Todibo, who begins a three-match ban following a red card in the previous weekend’s defeat at Chelsea.
• Disasi, a France international, joined on loan from Chelsea on Monday and starts immediately; he previously won 4-1 at Turf Moor with Chelsea two seasons ago.
• Mads Hermansen replaces Alphonse Areola in goal, marking his first Premier League appearance since 13 September 2025 against Tottenham Hotspur; he also featured in the FA Cup third-round win over Queens Park Rangers on 11 January 2026.
• Hermansen holds the distinction of keeping West Ham’s only clean sheet of the 2025/26 season so far, in a 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest on 31 August 2025.
• Callum Wilson starts in attack instead of Pablo Felipe; Wilson boasts an excellent record against Burnley, scoring in each of his last four games against them and totalling eight career goals versus the Clarets.
• Wilson netted West Ham’s first goal in their 3-2 home win over Burnley at London Stadium on 8 November 2025.

Turf Moor (East London Times) February 7, 2026 – Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo has introduced three key alterations to West Ham United’s starting lineup for today’s Premier League encounter with Burnley at Turf Moor, kicking off at 3pm GMT. The changes see Axel Disasi debut at centre-back in place of the suspended Jean-Clair Todibo, Mads Hermansen return in goal for Alphonse Areola, and Callum Wilson lead the attack over Pablo Felipe. These adjustments come as the Hammers seek to rebound from last weekend’s defeat at Chelsea, where Todibo received a late red card triggering a three-match ban.

Who Are the New Starters in West Ham’s Lineup?

Axel Disasi, the France international defender, makes his Hammers bow today after signing on loan from Chelsea on Monday. As reported directly from the West Ham United official announcement, Disasi slots into central defence replacing Jean-Clair Todibo, who starts his three-match suspension following the red card in the loss to Chelsea. The official site notes that Disasi enjoyed a memorable 4-1 Premier League victory at Turf Moor two seasons ago while with the Blues, bringing familiarity to this challenging away venue.

In goal, Mads Hermansen takes over from Alphonse Areola, according to the same West Ham United team news release. The Danish keeper last featured in the Premier League on 13 September 2025, keeping goal in the home match against Tottenham Hotspur. Hermansen also played in the side that defeated Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup third round on 11 January 2026, demonstrating his recent involvement in cup competitions.

Up front, Callum Wilson replaces Pablo Felipe, as detailed in the club’s starting XI confirmation. The West Ham United official source highlights Wilson’s impressive personal record against Burnley, stating he has scored in each of his last four appearances against the Clarets and amassed eight goals in total during his career versus today’s opponents. Notably, Wilson opened the scoring in West Ham’s 3-2 home victory over Burnley at London Stadium on 8 November 2025.

Why Was Jean-Clair Todibo Suspended?

Jean-Clair Todibo’s absence stems from a red card shown late in West Ham’s defeat at Chelsea last weekend, initiating a three-match ban. The West Ham United official team news explicitly attributes the change at centre-back to this suspension, with Axel Disasi stepping in as his direct replacement. No further details on the incident’s specifics are provided in the announcement, but it underscores the defensive reshuffle necessitated for this Turf Moor trip.

What Is Mads Hermansen’s Record for West Ham?

Mads Hermansen’s selection revives a promising thread from earlier in the season. Per the West Ham United starting XI announcement, Hermansen returns for his first Premier League outing since the home game against Tottenham Hotspur on 13 September 2025. The Dane also featured in the FA Cup third-round win over Queens Park Rangers on 11 January 2026, maintaining his place in recent knockout fixtures.

Critically, the official source credits Hermansen with West Ham’s sole clean sheet of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign to date—a 3-0 triumph at Nottingham Forest on 31 August 2025. This statistic positions him as a potential stabiliser between the posts amid a season where defensive solidity has been elusive for the Hammers.

How Does Callum Wilson Perform Against Burnley?

Callum Wilson’s inclusion carries significant weight given his history with the Clarets. The West Ham United team news states unequivocally that Wilson “has a superb personal record against Burnley, having scored in each of his last four appearances against the Clarets and netted eight goals in total against today’s opponents during his career.” This pedigree could prove pivotal in breaking down Burnley’s defence.

Furthermore, the announcement recalls Wilson’s direct contribution to West Ham’s previous meeting with Burnley, noting he “scored our first goal in the 3-2 home win over Burnley at London Stadium on 8 November.” Such form against this specific opponent elevates his starting role beyond mere rotation.

What Context Surrounds Nuno Espírito Santo’s Decisions?

Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo’s three changes reflect pragmatic responses to availability and form. The West Ham United official release frames the lineup as tailored for the Premier League fixture at Turf Moor, with Disasi’s debut, Hermansen’s recall, and Wilson’s insertion all directly justified by recent events and historical performances. Nuno’s hand is forced at centre-back by Todibo’s ban, while the goalkeeper and forward switches suggest confidence in these players’ proven capabilities.

The fixture pits West Ham against Burnley in a midday Premier League clash, part of a congested schedule where squad rotation balances fatigue and fitness. No quotes from Nuno himself appear in the primary announcement, but the selections imply a strategic emphasis on experience at a tough away ground.

Which Recent Matches Influenced These Changes?

The backdrop includes last weekend’s defeat at Chelsea, where Todibo’s red card occurred late in proceedings, as per the West Ham United update. This loss prompted the defensive adjustment, with Disasi’s loan arrival from Chelsea on Monday enabling a seamless integration.

Hermansen’s prior clean sheet came in the 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest on 31 August 2025, West Ham’s only shutout of the season according to the official source. His FA Cup appearance against Queens Park Rangers on 11 January 2026 further justifies his selection over Areola.

Wilson’s goal in the 3-2 home win over Burnley on 8 November 2025 provides a direct link to today’s opponents, reinforcing his suitability. Pablo Felipe, dropped to the bench, makes way in a like-for-like attacking swap.

How Does Disasi’s Chelsea Loan Fit West Ham’s Plans?

Axel Disasi’s move from Chelsea to West Ham on loan, confirmed Monday, accelerates his integration into the squad. The West Ham United announcement highlights his prior success at Turf Moor—a 4-1 Premier League win two seasons ago—positioning him as ideally suited for this venue. As a France international, Disasi brings Premier League pedigree to cover Todibo’s absence across three matches.

This debut underscores West Ham’s mid-season reinforcement strategy amid defensive challenges. The official team news presents it as a straightforward swap, with no mention of additional injuries influencing the centre-back position.

What Is the Broader Premier League Context?

Today’s match at Turf Moor forms part of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, with West Ham aiming to steady their form post-Chelsea. Burnley host the Hammers in a fixture laden with historical subplots, including Wilson’s scoring streak and Disasi’s past triumph here. The 3pm GMT kick-off aligns with standard Saturday scheduling, drawing attention from fans tracking Nuno’s tactical evolution.

While the announcement focuses solely on the starting XI, it implicitly signals West Ham’s intent to leverage specialist performers like Wilson against familiar foes. Turf Moor’s atmosphere promises intensity, where Hermansen’s clean-sheet nous and Disasi’s experience could prove decisive.