West Ham have got an exciting season ahead and their fans in The Football Transfer Tavern have reason to be optimistic going into the season ahead.

And with the season nearing closer and closer, it’s essential that the Premier League’s top sides begin finishing their preparations and ending their pre-season campaigns as strongly as possible.

And in one of the most high profile pre-season games we’ve seen in years, Juventus will be guests at West Ham’s Olympic Stadium as they open their ground for the first time.

Both sides are expecting to name as strong a lineup as possible and expect it to have a little more spice than your regular pre-season fixture due to the occasion on the day.

So, on one of the biggest days in West Ham’s history, who should take to the field for Slaven Bilic’s side? Here’s a West Ham XI that has the potential to stun Juventus in the London Stadium curtain raiser….

GK: Adrian

The Hammers have endured a tricky start to their season having won just one of their past six games. They lost 2-1 against Domzale in their Europa League opener and they need to play their best squad against Juventus.

The fans will want to see their best squad and after all, their Premier League opener is only a week later and who do they play? Only Chelsea…..

RB: Sam Byram

Endured a tricky night against Domzale last week but will need to step up in the coming weeks.

He’s expected to play a big part for the Hammers this season and there would be no better test than against the Italians.

CB: Winston Reid

A real club stalwart, it’s only right that a player like Winston Reid features for the Hammers against Juventus in their Olympic Stadium opener.

After all, he’s one of, if not their best option at the heart of their defence.

CB: Angelo Ogbonna

He featured for Italy in the Euros and we can expect to see a lot of him this season after the Hammers lost James Tomkins to Crystal Palace this summer.

He used to play for Juventus and it would be somewhat romantic if he played in the stadium opener against his former side.

LB: Michail Antonio

Had a great season at right-back last season but Aaron Creswell’s crushing injury may see the former Forest man switched to the opposite flank for the upcoming season.

It will be a good chance to try him out in a position that he may have to make his own over the coming months.

CM: Cheikhou Kouyaté

One of West Ham’s biggest players last season, Kouyaté gives the side so much power from the middle of the park.

The Senegalese international will be a sure-fire starter under Bilic next season and he should be part of their strongest possible line-up in the curtain raiser against the Italians.

CM: Mark Noble

Would have felt aggrieved after being excluded from the England squad but West Ham’s captain will anchor the side for most of the upcoming season.

He deserves the chance to lead his side out at the new stadium- he’s been at the club his whole career.

CAM: Dimitri Payet

Arguably the biggest player in the West Ham side, expect him to start in an advanced midfield role for this one. His time on the wing may be restricted due to the Hammers’ summer transfer activity but he will be a surefire starter all season.

Expect him to step-up in this fixture as he attempts to show the world just how good he is. Again.

LW: Gokhan Tore

He picked up a knock earlier this week but he’s expected to feature in the Hammers’ remaining pre-season games.

He’s quick, direct and is extremely skillful and could do some damage against possibly the strongest Juventus side we’ve seen in years.

ST: Andy Carroll

Injuries aside, he can go on and be a big player for Slaven Bilic’s side this season. His height will definitely cause the Italians problems because as we know, they love a jostle!

He gives West Ham great directness, and can hold the ball up extremely well too.

RW: Sofiane Feghouli

Summer signing Sofiane Feghouli has been a bright spark in an otherwise disappointing pre-season campaign and he will hope to be starting the game against Juventus too.

The Algerian international, who moved from Valencia will be key in providing assists and pace down the right flank not just in this game, but for the whole season.