TIPS - Birmingham VS Ipswich Town F.C.

[(Birmingham) Strength]:
1. Birmingham have been very active in the summer transfer window, signing Japanese international Kyogo Furuhashi, SV Werder Bremen striker Marvin Ducksch, and former Everton winger Demarai Gray. Besides, the team also loaned Eiran Cashin and James Beadle from Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., as well as Thomas Doyle from Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. The team's overall strength has significantly improved.
2. Birmingham forward Jay Stansfield scored 19 goals in last season's EFL League One, finishing 2nd in the top-scorer standings and becoming the most stable attacker on the team.
3. Birmingham took 111 points with 34 wins, 9 draws, and 3 losses last season, securing promotion to the EFL Championship as the EFL League One champions. Statistically, 111 points is the highest single-season point total in professional football league history, which highlights the team's dominance in the EFL League One.
4. Birmingham scored 84 goals in 46 league games in last season's EFL League One, averaging nearly 2 goals per game, making them the team with the most goals scored in the league.
5. Birmingham were unbeaten with 19 wins and 4 draws in 23 league games at home last season, becoming the only unbeaten team at home in last season's EFL League One.
6. Birmingham recorded 4 wins and 3 losses in 7 warm-up games in the offseason, including wins over Nottingham Forest F.C. and Sevilla FC, who are from the European top five leagues, showing the team's excellent overall form.

[(Birmingham) Weakness]:
1. Birmingham forward Tyler Roberts and midfielder Kanya Fujimoto will miss this league opener of the new season due to injuries.
2. Birmingham conceded 7 goals in the last 5 games, with an average of 1.4 goals per game, revealing unstable defense.

[(Ipswich Town F.C.) Strength]:
1. Ipswich Town F.C. signed veteran defender Ashley Young on a free transfer during the summer window. The experienced 40-year-old English veteran has previously played for multiple Premier League teams, including Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Everton. He appeared in 32 Premier League matches for Everton in the 2024-25 season, contributing 1 goal and 3 assists.
2. Ipswich Town F.C. won all four warm-up games in the offseason, indicating their current hot form.
3. Ipswich Town F.C. scored 12 goals in the last 4 games, averaging 3 goals per game, which showed strong attack.

[(Ipswich Town F.C.) Weakness]:
1. Ipswich Town F.C. forwards Jaden Philogene and Conor Townsend were injured in the last warm-up match and are doubtful to play this game. Besides, Harry Clarke is a long-term absentee due to his knee injury.
2. Ipswich Town F.C. finished second from the bottom in the Premier League last season with a record of 4 wins, 10 draws, and 24 losses, and were unfortunately relegated after just one season in the top flight.
3. Ipswich Town F.C. received 3 wins, 6 draws, and 10 losses in 19 league games on the road last season, with an away win rate of only 16%, demonstrating limited away strength.
4. Ipswich Town F.C. received 2 wins, 5 draws, and 3 losses in the last 10 encounters between both sides, placing them at a disadvantage.

[Tips]:
Birmingham performed strongly in the EFL League One last season, winning the league with a record-breaking point total and earning promotion to the EFL Championship.

The team have made significant reinforcements during the offseason, and their overall squad is highly competitive in the league, but they have shown a lack of defensive stability during the offseason.

Ipswich Town F.C., on the other hand, were relegated from the Premier League.

Although their reinforcements during the offseason were limited, they have shown extremely strong form in friendly matches, achieving a four-game winning streak.

Based on their head-to-head record, Birmingham hold a slight advantage, but given the current form of both teams, it will be difficult for Birmingham to win easily.

Thus, Ipswich Town are expected to be unbeaten.

[Recommended]:
Ipswich Town F.C. (+0/0.5)