It's Sunderland away to kick-off...

West Ham musings by the author of Massive, Goodbye to Boleyn, Hammers in the Heart and Irons in the Soul.

Up against a newly-promoted Sunderland side in front of a buoyant crowd on August 16 - what could possibly go wrong? It's not a good time to play the Mackems, though you have to hope that with Tom Watson and Jobe Bellingham sold they'll struggle to replace them. Then it's a chance to tell Chelsea where to place their Blue Flag at the London Stadium followed by a tricky game at Nottingham Forest. September begins with two home games against Thomas Frank's Spurs and Crystal Palace and then it's the Moyes derby at Everton's new stadium. By which time we'll be top of the league (possibly).

Massive: The Miracle of Prague by Pete May is available from Biteback Publishing, price 12.99.