Birmingham take on the visitors Ipswich in the round 1 match of English Championship. The match will be played on Friday, August 8th at St. Andrew's Stadium (Birmingham).
Birmingham have never been highly rated. Moreover, they barely had time to enjoy their last title when they won the League Cup in 2011 — just a week later, they were relegated to the Championship once again. They not only failed to make it back to the top flight but also, just a year ago, dropped into League One. Fortunately, they made the right call by appointing Chris Davies — a former assistant to Rodgers and Postecoglou — who, in his very first season, led them to a dominant first-place finish. This summer they let go of experienced Ben Davies but brought in several new faces, mostly free agents, including Fujimoto, Furukashi, and Osayi-Samuel. Birmingham have started the season steadily, showing improved defensive organisation and better use of set pieces. However, their attack still lacks consistency, which could be a factor against stronger opposition.
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Ipswich failed to surprise last season. The Tractor Boys made a memorable comeback after a long absence with an impressive surge. A club with a proud history but modest recent performances, they finally climbed out of League One in 2023. Immediately, they finished second in the Championship, securing direct promotion to the Premier League. Before that, in the summer, they invested heavily in new signings — yet still went down without a fight, finishing with 22 points in second-to-last place. Only a completely lifeless Southampton were worse. Since then, they have actively refreshed the squad. They sold Liam Delap to Chelsea for £30 million after he scored 12 goals in 2024/25, and brought in several intriguing new players, the most notable being veteran Ashley Young — although he is already well past his prime. Ipswich’s pre-season form has been mixed, with strong performances at home but worrying defensive lapses away. Their supporters are hopeful that improved squad depth can help them avoid another relegation scrap.
The clubs have played out three high-scoring draws. Only in their most recent meeting, in February last year, did the Tractor Boys… The Blues are playing at home, and under such conditions they should push for a win — but it’s safer to back them with a “draw no bet” option.
Prediction for the match: Birmingham to win with 0.0 handicap.
