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Ipswich Town and Birmingham City will open the 8th round in the Championship with a highly anticipated clash between two playoff worthy sides. Ipswich is currently 5th, Birmingham is 7th but also has a game in hand.
The hosts are playing arguably the most entertaining football in the Championship so far, being involved almost exclusively in high scoring matches, banging goals in seemingly at will but also conceding a lot. A goal difference of 12-12 has been enough to put Ipswich in the 5th position after 7 rounds, but failing to win today will see them out of the playoff spots after this round. Ipswich is coming after a rare low scoring affair, a 1-0 win at Leeds.
Birmingham is also coming after an uncharacteristic match, a 0-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest – the first match of the season in which they didn`t score a single goal and the first defeat in 8 matches in all competitions. The Blues missed a great opportunity, but they are still in an excellent position and will look to get a result this time around – losing two times in a row against playoff rivals would be a huge blow.
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Team news & lineups:
Teddy Bishop is out for Ipswich Town, with Sears being doubtful. Birmingham has no injuries or suspensions and will be able to field the best lineup in this match.
Ipswich Town: Gerken – Chambers, Smith, Berra, Knudsen – Skuse, Bru, Bishop – McGoldrick – Sears, Murphy
Birmingham: Kuszczak – Caddis, Morrison, Spector, Grounds – Gleeson, Kieftenbeld – Cotterill, Shinnie, Gray – Donaldson
Last season the two matches between Ipswich and Birmingham saw a number of 10 goals (4-2, 2-2) and both clubs were among the most attacking minded in the Championship. There`s no reason why another such result can`t be achieved today – each team looks very similar to how it did last season, both in terms of goalscoring appetite and in overall strength. In Ipswich’s games there has been an average of 3,43 goals scored per game this season, while in Birmingham’s matches the average is exactly 3 goals. Both sides are coming after rare low scoring performances, so it`s hard to believe they will be involved in a low scoring clash for the second time in a row – it just isn`t their DNA.
Look for an entertaining encounter between two fine, positive minded football clubs that will go for the win and we should see 3-4 goals in this one – with each side getting on the score sheet. My tip is both teams to score and I would not be surprised if this ends in a draw. Prediction: Ipswich Town – Birmingham City 2-2.
Pick: Both to score
Odds: 1.80 @ William Hill
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 7.20
Event date: 18 September
