Nuno’s West Ham Changes for Must-Win Burnley Clash

Key Points

• West Ham United are heading to Turf Moor to face Burnley in a match described by the club’s owners as a “must-win” game essential for their Premier League survival bid.
• Manager Nuno Espírito Santo is set to make at least one major change to the starting lineup for this crucial encounter.
• Every point is precious for West Ham in their fight against relegation, with this fixture viewed as a decisive moment in the season.
• A victory over Burnley could bring West Ham to within three points of Sean Dyche’s side, following Leeds United’s 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest on Friday night.
• West Ham previously overcame a 1-0 deficit to defeat Burnley 3-2 at the London Stadium in November.
• Nuno Espírito Santo would gladly accept a repeat of that result at Turf Moor, where West Ham boast a strong historical record, having won six of their 13 away games against the Clarets, with Burnley securing just three victories.
• Burnley suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Sunderland in their last outing, leading many to believe they have joined Wolves in being destined for relegation.

Turf Moor, Burnley (East London Times) February 7, 2026 – West Ham United face a pivotal Premier League clash against Burnley at Turf Moor, with manager Nuno Espírito Santo poised to implement at least one significant change to his lineup amid late fitness decisions for what the club’s owners have labelled a “must-win” encounter. This match carries immense weight in West Ham’s desperate battle for survival, as every point becomes increasingly vital in the relegation scrap. A win here could propel the Hammers to within three points of their hosts, capitalising on Leeds United’s recent 3-1 triumph over Nottingham Forest.

Why Is This Match a Must-Win for West Ham?

The stakes could not be higher for West Ham as they travel to Burnley, a fixture underscored by the club’s ownership as a non-negotiable victory. As detailed in coverage from Hammers News, the game represents a “decisive moment” in the Hammers’ season-long fight to avoid the drop from the Premier League. Nuno Espírito Santo recognises the urgency, with the Portuguese manager acutely aware that points against a fellow struggler like Burnley are irreplaceable in the survival equation.

Hammers News reports that while every single game and point matters in West Ham’s bid for Premier League survival, this particular matchup stands out due to its direct implications on the table. Sean Dyche’s Burnley side sit precariously, and a positive result for the visitors would narrow the gap dramatically. The context is amplified by recent results elsewhere, positioning this clash as a potential turning point.

What Changes Is Nuno Espírito Santo Planning?

Nuno Espírito Santo is expected to make at least one major alteration to his West Ham starting XI, as predicted by analysts covering the buildup. Hammers News highlights that the manager faces late calls on team selection, balancing the need for freshness against the demand for reliability in this high-pressure environment. These adjustments come amid ongoing injury concerns and tactical considerations tailored to Turf Moor’s challenges.

The report from Hammers News specifies that Nuno would “undoubtedly take the same result” as the earlier 3-2 victory over Burnley, suggesting his changes aim to replicate that resilience. With a strong historical edge—West Ham have triumphed in six of 13 road games at this venue—these tweaks could exploit familiar weaknesses in the Clarets’ setup. No specific players are named in the initial predictions, but the emphasis on “major change” implies bold decisions from the touchline.

How Did Recent Results Shape This Fixture?

Leeds United’s convincing 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Friday night has intensified the pressure on both West Ham and Burnley. According to Hammers News, this outcome allows the Hammers to close in on Sean Dyche’s charges with a win, potentially reducing the deficit to just three points. It underscores the tight relegation battle, where midweek results can swiftly alter momentum.

West Ham’s own form provides optimism; they staged a comeback from 1-0 down to beat Burnley 3-2 at the London Stadium back in November, a result that Nuno would relish repeating. Hammers News notes this precedent as a psychological boost ahead of the return leg. Meanwhile, Burnley’s shocking 3-0 home loss to Sunderland last time out has fuelled perceptions of their vulnerability, with many observers now consigning them to the drop alongside Wolves.

What Is West Ham’s Historical Record at Turf Moor?

West Ham enjoy a commendable away record against Burnley at Turf Moor, which bodes well for their chances. Hammers News reports that the Hammers have secured victory in six of the 13 games played on the road there, with the Clarets managing just three wins. This dominance adds another layer of confidence for Nuno’s squad.

The venue has proven fertile ground for West Ham over the years, contrasting sharply with Burnley’s current woes. As per the coverage, Nuno knows this history intimately, likely factoring it into his preparations. Such statistics highlight why the club views this as a winnable fixture despite the “must-win” tag.

Who Is Under Pressure at Burnley?

Sean Dyche’s Burnley side are reeling from their 3-0 thumping by Sunderland, a result that has many convinced of their relegation fate. Hammers News observes that the Clarets have “joined Wolves in being consigned to the drop,” reflecting widespread sentiment after that dismal performance. The pressure mounts as they host a West Ham team buoyed by survival imperatives.

Dyche faces the task of rallying his players, but the recent hammering exposed defensive frailties that Nuno may target. No direct quotes from Dyche appear in the sourced material, but the context paints a picture of a side in turmoil. West Ham’s ownership emphasis on “must-win” amplifies the narrative of Burnley as faltering hosts.

When Did West Ham Last Beat Burnley?

The Hammers’ most recent encounter with Burnley, in November at the London Stadium, ended in a thrilling 3-2 victory after trailing 1-0. Hammers News recounts this turnaround as a benchmark for Turf Moor ambitions, with Nuno Espírito Santo eyeing similar grit. That match showcased West Ham’s fighting spirit, overturning an early deficit to claim vital points.

This precedent informs predictions of a major change from Nuno, potentially to inject the same energy away from home. The 3-2 scoreline remains fresh, serving as both motivation and tactical reference. Burnley’s inability to hold leads adds to West Ham’s optimism.

What Do West Ham’s Owners Expect?

The club’s owners have explicitly framed this as a “must-win” game, per Hammers News, placing direct pressure on Nuno Espírito Santo. This stance reflects the broader survival bid, where dropped points against peers prove fatal. The declaration underscores internal expectations aligning with fan sentiment.

Nuno knows Burnley is pivotal for West Ham’s survival hopes, as articulated in the report. Ownership’s involvement signals unity behind the manager, but results here will define trust. The “must-win” rhetoric elevates the fixture beyond routine relegation skirmishes.

How Does Nuno View Burnley?

Nuno Espírito Santo would “undoubtedly take the same result at Turf Moor,” according to insights from Hammers News. His awareness of the strong record—six wins in 13 away games—positions this as an exploitable opportunity. The manager’s pragmatism shines through, prioritising points over spectacle.

Hammers News tags Nuno prominently, indicating his central role in narratives around team changes and late calls. His experience tempers the “must-win” hype with calculated preparation. Burnley’s slump only heightens his focus.

What Are the Relegation Implications?

A win catapults West Ham within three points of Burnley, per Hammers News, leveraging Leeds’ Forest scalp. This proximity intensifies the scrap, with every point precious. Failure to capitalise risks deepening the Hammers’ woes alongside Wolves’ apparent doom.

Burnley’s Sunderland debacle cements their peril, mirroring Wolves’ trajectory. Nuno’s changes aim to seize this moment, potentially reshaping the bottom of the table. The fixture’s decisiveness looms large in survival calculus.