Birmingham vs Ipswich predictions: Goals should flow in St Andrew's opener
Birmingham were promoted from League One with an EFL record points tally of 111
Ipswich forward Sammie Szmodics won the Golden Boot with Blackburn in his last Championship campaign in 2023-24
Recommended bet: Over 3.5 goals
The 2025-26 season kicks off with a fascinating fixture at St Andrew's, where promoted Birmingham and relegated Ipswich hope to enhance their title credentials.
Ipswich are favourites to win the Championship and bounce straight back to the Premier League after retaining their highly rated manager Kieran McKenna.
But the Tractor Boys face a daunting trip to Birmingham, who racked up a record tally of 111 points in League One last season and have been busy in the transfer market.
Team news
Birmingham midfielder Kanya Fujimoto is building up his match fitness after a knee injury and will not be involved on Friday. Bright Osayi-Samuel should get the nod over Ethan Laird at right-back.
Ipswich are likely to be missing inspirational left-back Leif Davis and right-back Harry Clarke due to injury. Another full-back, Conor Townsend, is doubtful with a knee problem and winger Jaden Philogene suffered an ankle knock in the friendly win over Auxerre.
The latest Birmingham vs Ipswich odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Birmingham won nine of their last 10 League One matches last season.
Blues' last three home victories were by 4-1, 6-2 and 4-0 scorelines.
Both teams have scored in nine of the last 12 meetings between these clubs.
Five of Ipswich's last 10 games featured over 3.5 goals.
There were goals at both ends in 13 of Ipswich's last 18 matches in all competitions.
The Tractor Boys have conceded the first goal in their last six games.
Prediction
Birmingham and Ipswich were two divisions apart last season but there may not be much between them on the opening night of the Championship.
Blues, runaway League One champions in 2024-25, are slight favourites to beat Ipswich, who won back-to-back promotions before struggling in the Premier League last term.
Backing over 3.5 goals looks a decent bet given the attacking talent on show at St Andrew's.
Ipswich showed plenty of intent on the road in the top flight, winning 2-1 at Bournemouth and drawing 2-2 at Chelsea and Everton late last season.
Birmingham thrashed Shrewsbury 4-1, Barnsley 6-2 and Mansfield 4-0 at home in the final weeks of their triumphant League One campaign.
Jay Stansfield lived up to his massive transfer fee with 19 league goals and Birmingham added talented winger Demarai Gray and former Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi to their attacking unit this summer.
Their defence was generally secure in League One but facing a slick Ipswich side will be a step up in class.
The Tractor Boys sold their top scorer Liam Delap to Chelsea but they were promoted from the Championship without him in 2023-24.
Jack Clarke and Omari Hutchinson are outstanding creative players at this level and hopes are high that Scotland international George Hirst can fill the void left by Delap's departure.
