Birmingham vs Ipswich Bet Builder Tips, Stats, Best Bets, Predictions

Birmingham City come into this match as slight favourites, perhaps surprising given Ipswich are the bookies’ choice to lift the title. However it’s certainly plausible that Blues could emerge victorious.

Firstly they may enjoy a continuity factor that Ipswich and other teams may not. That’s not simply limited to the squad, with the Tractor Boys having kept hold of the majority of their assets, but in terms of playing style and winning mentality. Blues are unbeaten in a home league match in over a year, which could definitely count for something.

There’s also a sense with relegated teams that you can perhaps catch them a little cold early in the season. Bouncing back from the disappointment of the previous campaign can be difficult, particularly when the manager remains in post. There may be a mental fragility to a side that won just 4 league matches last season.

Blues have impressed in their summer business, with a string of quality additions at the level adding to a squad that was head and shoulders above League One last season. Perhaps they may have that extra edge over the visitors on opening night.

Birmingham City were perhaps most impressive last campaign for their steely defensive side, rather than a free flowing attacking threat. Don’t get me wrong, Blues still mustered up their fair share of goals but defensively they were almost impenetrable at times.

That defensive resolve will no doubt be tested here, against the Championship’s top scorers from 2023/24. There’s evidence at both League One and Championship level that Kieran McKenna teams can pack a punch, and this time around their squad is only littered with greater attacking options.

There are goals in both of these sides with Szmodics having previously picked up the golden boot, whilst Stansfield registered double figures in his first Championship campaign. That’s without the likes of new Blues batsman Kyogo Furuhashi and Ipswich wide men Jack Clarke and Nathan Broadhead.

St Andrews often saw low margin scorelines last campaign but I’m confident this time around that both sides will be able to make their mark, whilst the over 1.5 bet rather than the BTTS covers a runaway winner.

I can envisage this game seeing spells of dominance for both teams, with the other forced to sit back and take it for long periods.

Blues will be hoping to make a quick start. They’re a fierce pressing unit under Chris Davies and will hope to generate energy from the stands to will them on in the opening stages. They’ll be looking to put Ipswich under the pressure straight away.

Weathering the storm will be a key aspect of the game for McKenna’s side. They know they’re entering the lion’s den with St Andrews brimming with more confidence than it’s ever exuded. However their Premier League fitness levels may begin to show as the game reaches the second half, with some tired legs for the hosts.

They’ll bide their time knowing they have the tools to make life difficult for Blues in the latter stages.

Such spells of dominance could lead to a string of corners for either side. Ipswich averaged 5.3 per game in their last Championship season and that’s sure to rise with greater expectations on them this time around.

Whilst much will be made of Davis’ attacking capabilities, he’ll still be tasked with carrying out his fair share of defensive duties on Friday night, particularly given Birmingham like to attack down the right flank.

Davis will be up against Demarai Gray who’s rejoined Blues as well as either Bright Osayi-Samuel or Ethan Laird who like to venture forward from right back.

In pre season Blues have favoured attacking down their right side, with more natural right footers in the team and this could spell trouble for Davis who’s not the most natural defender.

Gray drew 1.5 fouls per 90 in his last Premier League season and 1.2 per 90 in his last Saudi season. With Davis often flying forward he may be caught in transition on occasion and forced to make a foul.

With Birmingham likely in the ascendancy early, Davis may need to take one for the team.