Nuno's starting XI vs Portsmouth could now include two West Ham heroes despite relegation
Nuno Espirito Santo's starting eleven on the opening day of next season could feature some new and familiar faces to West Ham United.
The Hammers will start their season in the Carabao Cup against John Mousinho's Portsmouth the weekend before their Championship opener away to Burnley.
The Irons have yet to have the fixture's date confirmed, though it will take place on any day from 7 to 9 of August.
There are still plenty of transfers to be done from now until then, as well as a challenging pre-season schedule.
However, the London Stadium can expect to see a changed starting lineup from the one that started in the final game of last season.
Nuno will have some familiar faces in the lineup, especially considering that West Ham have made one summer signing in the form of Keiber Lamadrid so far this window.
Nuno to start Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek vs Pompey
Nuno will once again have to decide between Alphonse Areola and Mads Hermansen next season, with both still on the books.
However, Hermansen could be given the nod against Pompey, after emerging as a more favoured choice at the end of last season.
Uncertainty surrounding the future's of El Hadji Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could see both Ollie Scarles and Kyle Walker-Peters start, while Ezra Myers could also be given a chance in midfield.
Konstantinos Mavropanos is yet to leave E20, and though he could at some point, he would still be the number one pick to start next to Myers ahead of Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman.
West Ham hero Tomas Soucek is staying at the club, and he could help Freddie Potts learn in what could be a big season for the latter.
Following the exit of Mateus Fernandes, West Ham's midfield will have a new look next season, and Potts could be part of that.
Lamadrid could start on the left, as Jarrod Bowen will be included, should he not have sealed a move away from the Irons by the time the fixture comes around.
Pablo may start behind Taty Castellanos up front, as the future of the Argentine's destiny is yet to be resolved.
Nuno also has a chance to rubber stamp his preferred formation from the off.
This is the formation Nuno may go with next season
Bowen and Soucek could both stay with the Hammers after all, as nothing is to say the former will definitely leave for sure.
While the likes of Castellanos and Mavropanos may also depart West Ham before the first game of the season, nothing is at an advanced stage, and so the duo will be in Nuno's plans.
The Hammers boss may opt to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation to start the season, and it would display a sign of a desire for dominance next campaign.
Nuno did use a five-at-the-back setup with Wolves when he last coached in the Championship, but times have changed, and he may look for more control with possession to fire the Irons back to the Premier League.