The 2025-26 English Football League Championship season opens with a tough matchup between newly promoted Birmingham City and Ipswich Town, which was relegated from the Premier League. Birmingham City set the record for the most points while winning League One last term to make an instant return to the Championship following relegation in 2023-24. Ipswich Town failed to mount a meaningful survival fight in the Premier League and was sent back down immediately, breaking a run of consecutive promotions for the Tractor Boys. Both teams have been battling to get the signature of Chuba Akpom, with Ipswich Town securing the services of the former Arsenal trainee. The oddsmakers can’t separate the two sides, with Birmingham the marginal favorites to get a win. The Blues have not lost to Ipswich at home in eight meetings.
Bet on Birmingham City vs. Ipswich Town with Bet365
- Football: EFL Championship, Week 1
- Where to watch: Sky Sports, ESPN, CBS, SuperSport, Sporty, Paramount+
- Venue: St. Andrews, Birmingham, England
- Date: 08.08.2025 20:00 BST
Birmingham City
St. Andrews was a fortress for Birmingham City last season, with the football club going unbeaten at home in a record-breaking season in the third tier of English football. They will need to replicate that home form of nineteen wins and four draws to ensure survival in the Championship. Birmingham City is in a good place with club owners willing to back the management. The Blues have had a mixed preseason, returning four wins and three losses. However, they ended their friendlies with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Premier League side Nottingham Forest. Birmingham City has improved its roster with the addition of about 10 players via transfers, loans, and free-market recruitment. The cherry on the cake is the return of Demarai Gray to his childhood club.
Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Osayi-Samuel, Klarer, Neumann, Cochrane, Iwata, Paik, Doyle, Gray, Anderson, Stansfield.
Bet on Birmingham City vs. Ipswich Town with Bet365Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town was relegated after finishing bottom of the Premier League, ending the season 16 points from safety. The relegation ended back-to-back promotions that led the Tractor Boys from League One to the Premier League. Following the return to the EFL, Ipswich has seen an exodus of its best players. Striker Liam Delap has gone to Chelsea, while captain Sam Morsey has gone to the Middle East. Kieran McKenna's side are one of the favorites to bag promotion, and they will be hoping for a good start to get them on the move again. However, they have not won at St. Andrews since November 2012. That, plus injuries and fitness concerns for their starters, will pose a challenge for the Tractor Boys in this opening-day fixture.
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Palmer; Johnson, O'Shea, Greaves, Young, Matusiwa, Taylor, Philogene, Szmodics, Clark, Hirst.
Betting Odds
Birmingham City is the favorite on 1xbet at 2.46 odds to win. Ipswich Town is offered at 2.871 odds on the sportsbook. Both teams to score is priced at 1.82 on Betway, with the draw available at 3.25 odds. Over 2.5 is priced at 2.19 odds on Bet365, while the under is available for 1.72. Read more here.
Bet on Birmingham City vs. Ipswich Town with Bet365
