Friday night has conjured up a very exciting opening game in the Championship as Birmingham play host to Ipswich at St. Andrew's.
Both sides had contrasting fates at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, as Birmingham were promoted as champions of League One, while Ipswich were relegated after just one season in the Premier League.
The hosts were not only champions, but won the league at a canter with a record points total of 111, as they continued some of their momentum into pre-season with four wins. Ipswich have also had a decent pre-season themselves, winning all four of their matches.
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Key stats
- Three of the last four H2Hs have ended in draws with both teams scoring.
- Birmingham have won three of their previous four games in preparation for this match.
- Ipswich's 3-0 win against Auxerre last time out provided their first clean sheet since January.
Correct score prediction: Birmingham 2-2 Ipswich
Given how the most recent H2Hs have gone and with the attacking talent on show for both teams, we are expecting plenty of goals on show here. Both sides have also enjoyed a decent pre-season campaign, so will be confident of opening the new campaign with a positive result.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Birmingham just favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 29/20 (2.45) – 40.8%
- DRAW: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
- AWAY: 15/8 (2.88) – 34.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Birmingham are slight favourites with bookmakers to claim all three points on home soil. An Ipswich victory can be backed at just under 35%, while a draw has been priced at just over 30%.
Also, check out our dedicated page for more free betting tips relating to a number of other games today.
Most recent H2Hs: Ipswich hoping to extend unbeaten run
Ipswich are unbeaten in the previous four H2Hs, although three of them had ended in draws. Both teams found the back of the net in all of those matches, suggesting that Both Teams To Score (BTTS) could be a potential market to explore.
England Championship 24/02/24
Ipswich
Birmingham
England Championship 04/11/23
Birmingham
Ipswich
England Championship 13/04/19
Ipswich
Birmingham
England Championship 29/09/18
Birmingham
Ipswich
England Championship 31/03/18
Birmingham
Ipswich
Birmingham preview: A number of new signings could start
Birmingham could hand as many as three new signings a start, with James Beadle, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Kyogo Furuhashi all pushing to be involved from kick off. However, both Tyler Roberts and Kanya Fujimoto are both expected to miss out through injury.
Predicted lineup: Beadle (GK), Osayi-Samuel, Klarer, Neumann, Cochrane, Iwata, Paik, Doyle, Kyogo, Gray & Stansfield
England League 1 03/05/25
W
Cambridge Utd
1
Birmingham
2
England League 1 30/04/25
W
Blackpool
0
Birmingham
2
England League 1 27/04/25
W
Mansfield
0
Birmingham
4
England League 1 24/04/25
W
Stevenage
0
Birmingham
1
England League 1 21/04/25
W
Burton Albion
1
Birmingham
2
Ipswich preview: Young to make debut?
Ashley Young is in line to make his debut for Ipswich, while the Tractor Boys are sweating on the fitness of a number of key players. Both Jaden Philogene and Leif Davis will be hoping to pass late fitness tests, while Harry Clarke has been ruled out completely with injury.
Predicted lineup: Palmer (GK), Johnson, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis, Matusiwa, Taylor, Young, Szmodics, Philogene & Hirst
England Premier League 10/05/25
L
Brentford
1
Ipswich
0
England Premier League 03/05/25
D
Everton
2
Ipswich
2
England Premier League 26/04/25
L
Newcastle
3
Ipswich
0
England Premier League 20/04/25
L
Arsenal
4
Ipswich
0
England Premier League 13/04/25
D
Chelsea
2
Ipswich
2
Player to watch: Kyogo Furuhashi
For Birmingham to sign Kyogo Furuhashi in the Championship was quite the coup, given that he made a name for himself in European football mainly at Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, but also at Rennes in Ligue 1. The Japan international is a tricky player who has a strong eye for goal, and could cause Ipswich a lot of problems in front of his cheering home fans.