The 2025/26 Championship season kicked off with a highly anticipated match between Birmingham City and Ipswich Town at St. Andrew's. Both teams are considered strong contenders for promotion to the Premier League this season, making this opening game a crucial encounter.
Birmingham City, under the management of Chris Davies, returned to the Championship after an impressive season in League One, where they secured the title with a record-breaking 111 points. The Blues have been busy in the summer transfer window, adding nine new players to their squad, including the return of former academy star Demarai Gray. Other notable additions include Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi and England Under-21 goalkeeper James Beadle, both of whom are expected to feature in the starting lineup. However, Davies faces some injury concerns, with Kanya Fujimoto and Tyler Roberts doubtful for the game. In his pre-match press conference, Davies emphasized the need for his team to be competitive and prove their ability to earn points at the Championship level. He expressed a focus on taking things one step at a time, with the initial weeks serving as a valuable assessment period. Birmingham City's confirmed starting XI includes Allsop in goal; Osayi-Samuel, Neumann, Klarer, and Cochrane in defense; Tomoki and Paik in midfield; and Kyogo, Anderson, Gray, and Stansfield in attack.
Ipswich Town, managed by Kieran McKenna, are looking to bounce back to the Premier League after suffering relegation last season. Despite their relegation, Ipswich are considered favorites to win the Championship and make an immediate return to the top flight. McKenna has transformed Ipswich Town since taking charge in December 2021. In the 2022/23 season, he led them to automatic promotion from League One, finishing as runners-up with 98 points and scoring 101 league goals. They continued their momentum in the Championship, securing a second-place finish and promotion to the Premier League. Although their time in the Premier League was short-lived, McKenna's side is determined to compete at the top of the Championship once again. Ipswich Town's confirmed starting XI features Palmer in goal; Johnson, O'Shea, Greaves, and Davis in defense; Matusiwa and Taylor in midfield; and Ogbene, Szmodics, and Clarke supporting Hirst in attack.
The match is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Football in the UK, with coverage starting at 7pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the action via Now TV or the Sky Go app on mobile devices.
