Birmingham vs Ipswich: Lineups, Team News, and Prediction for Tom Brady's Team's Season Opener

Birmingham will kick off the 2025/2026 Championship season at home against Ipswich at 3 PM ET on Friday, August 8th. Both teams will be eager to start the season strong, with Birmingham looking to prove their promotion was no fluke and Ipswich aiming for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Birmingham vs Ipswich Form

Birmingham enter the new season on the back of a successful League One campaign, having secured the title and promotion to the Championship. Their most recent match was a 1-0 victory in a friendly against Nottingham Forest.

Ipswich, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back after suffering relegation from the Premier League last season. The Tractor Boys finished their pre-season with an impressive 3-0 win away to Auxerre. They are also undefeated in their last 5 matches in the Championship.

Birmingham vs Ipswich Head to Head

The head-to-head record between these two teams is fairly balanced. Of the last six encounters, Birmingham have won one, Ipswich have won two, and three matches have ended in a draw.

The most recent match between Birmingham and Ipswich was in February 2024, with Ipswich winning 3-1 at home. Before that, the teams drew 2-2 at Birmingham in November 2023. Birmingham are undefeated in their last 7 home matches against Ipswich in all competitions.

Birmingham vs Ipswich Probable Lineups

Birmingham (4-3-3): Beadle; Laird, Klarer, Neumann, Osayi-Samuel; Seung-Ho, Doyle, Iwata; Gray, Stansfield, Furuhashi

Ipswich (4-2-3-1): Palmer; Young, Greaves, O'Shea, Johnson; Matusiwa, Taylor; Clarke, Szmodics, Philogene; Hirst

Birmingham vs Ipswich Team News

Birmingham will be without Kanya Fujimoto and Tyler Roberts due to injury. Chris Davies could hand debuts to several summer signings, including James Beadle, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Kyogo Furuhashi.

Ipswich have several players doubtful for the match, including Jaden Philogene, Conor Townsend, and Leif Davis, all carrying knocks. Harry Clarke and Wes Burns are confirmed absentees due to injury.

Birmingham vs Ipswich Match Facts

• Birmingham has seen over 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 home matches against Ipswich in all competitions.
• There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Birmingham's last 3 games in the Championship.
• Birmingham are undefeated in their last 7 home matches against Ipswich in all competitions.
• Birmingham have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 home matches against Ipswich in all competitions.
• Ipswich have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches in the Championship.
• Ipswich are undefeated in their last 5 matches in the Championship.

Prediction: Birmingham 1-1 Ipswich

Birmingham are heading into the 2025/26 campaign as the strongest promoted side since Ipswich two years ago. Ipswich were unable to secure Premier League survival at the first time of asking, but the Tractor Boys return to the second tier in an excellent position to bounce straight back. Expect a closely fought encounter with both teams finding the net.

Best Bet: Draw

Considering Birmingham's strong home record against Ipswich and the fact that three of the last six meetings between these two teams have ended in a tie, backing the draw could be a good move.