Friday’s football tips: First-half Birmingham goal looks good at 23/20 in Championship opener with Ipswich

Big spenders Birmingham City get their EFL Championship campaign underway tonight with a visit from relegated Ipswich Town.

The Blues romped to the League One title last term and fans are dreaming of another promotion push after a major summer signing spree.

But it's Ipswich who are 3/1 favourites with the bookies to win the league after hanging on to most of their squad since dropping down from the Premier League.

So the stage is set for a cracking opener tonight in front of what should be a capacity crowd at St Andrews.

Birmingham City vs Ipswich Town top betting tips

Birmingham will probably start at a high tempo with the crowd fired up so I like the 23/20 on offer at BoyleSports for the first City goal to come in the opening 45 minutes.

Ipswich have plenty of attacking talent as well though, with striker Liam Delap the only notable departure after joining Chelsea. So it bodes well for goals at both ends and combining BTTS with over 2.5 goals pays 13/10 at BoyleSports.

Things didn't quite work for Town winger Jack Clarke in the Premier League but he impressed in the Championship for old club Sunderland. He's 7/4 at Unibet just to have a shot on target here which looks good value if he starts.

Ross County vs St Johnstone

There's a cracker in the SPFL Championship tonight as well as the two teams dropping down from the top flight collide in Dingwall.

Ross County were ante-post favourites for the title but they could only draw 2-2 at Airdrie in their opener while St Johnstone thrashed Partick 5-1 in Perth.

Saints boss Simo Valakari always plays an attractive brand of football so it looks like going for goals will pay off in most of their games this season.

I thought BTTS would be shorter than the 8/11 on offer at BoyleSports and adding on over 2.5 goals boosts the odds to 13/10.

Josh McPake was the star of the show for St Johnstone on day one, with the former Rangers kid scoring a hat-trick. He's 4/1 with Bet365 for another goal tonight, which looks overpriced based on his performance last weekend.

Casa Pia vs Sporting CP

The Portuguese season gets back underway tonight with a Lisbon derby as Sporting CP head across the city to face Casa Pia.

Since Casa Pia returned to the top flight three years ago, they've lost all six meetings with their illustrious neighbours.

So it's no surprise to see the champions as 3/10 hot favourites to kick off the new campaign with a win.

But Casa Pia have scored in all three of their home games with Sporting since winning promotion so BTTS could pay off at 21/20.

Sporting have lost star striker Viktor Gyokeres but winger Francisco Trincao is still around. He's 13/8 for a goal tonight at BoyleSports and that looks decent.

Friday's Super Singles

• First Birmingham goal to come in first half 20/21 BoyleSports
• St Johnstone's Josh McPake anytime scorer 4/1 Bet365
• Francisco Trincao anytime scorer 13/8 BoyleSports

Deadly double

• BTTS in Birmingham v Ispwich and Ross County v St Johnstone 198/100 BoyleSports

Upcoming match previews and betting tips

• Fri 19:00 Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen
• Fri 19:30 Brentford vs Borussia Monchengladbach
• Fri 19:30 Newcastle vs Espanyol
• Fri 20:00 Birmingham City vs Ipswich Town 
• Fri 20:30 Casa Pia v Sporting CP
• SlipsTips’ Tips: Keep free-scoring Saints onside
• EFL Championship outright winner odds and prediction: Ipswich Town to get back to the PL right away?
• EFL Betting Tips: Alex too strong for Stanley
• Desmond’s Goals Tips: BTTS, To Score 2+, Over 2.5 Goals and 60/1 Goals Acca Tips

Racing tips

Rizzel's tips have plenty of Sax Appeal today as he chases profits at Thirsk and Haydock

• Friday’s Racing Tips – Front running tactics will pay dividends for Sax Appeal backers

As always, post your own comments and tips below

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