West Ham United get their Premier League season underway when they welcome newly-promoted Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.

The Hammers, who finished 10th on their return to the top flight last season, have been tipped to push into the higher regions of the table in the new campaign.

Cardiff, meanwhile, booked their spot in the Premier League after storming to the Championship title last season, eventually finishing eight points clear of nearest challenges Hull City.

The last time the two sides met at this stadium was in August 2011, when a last-minute strike from Kenny Miller secured all three points for the travelling side in the Championship meeting at the Boleyn Ground.

West Ham will be without the services of Andy Carroll for the opening weeks of the season, but Stewart Downing could make his debut after joining from Liverpool this week.

Another new signing, Razvan Rat, could come into the side at left-back, while Ravel Morrison's pre-season form for the Hammers could force the former Manchester United midfielder into contention.

Cardiff have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match, however, with Gary Medel and Andreas Cornelius both pushing for starts after joining the Welsh side this summer.

Craig Bellamy could also come into the team on his return to the Premier League, while Peter Whittingham is also expected to be selected in the middle of the Cardiff midfield.

Possible lineups

West Ham: Jaaskelainen; Reid, Collins, Tomkins, Rat; Jarvis, Nolan, Diame, Noble, Downing; Maiga

Cardiff: Marshall; Connolly; Caulker, Hudson, McNaughton; Medel, Gunnarsson, Whittingham; Bellamy, Cornelius, Campbell

Sports Mole says: 2-2

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