The predicted Birmingham City XI Chris Davies will play v Ipswich Town - Demarai Gray "has to be on the left" | OneFootball

FLW’s Birmingham City Fan Pundit has detailed the starting XI he thinks Chris Davies will field against Ipswich Town.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Birmingham City are gearing up to face Ipswich Town in a mouthwatering clash as they open the 2025/26 Championship campaign on Friday evening.

The Blues made an instant return to the second tier following their relegation to League One in May 2024, and they have shown serious ambition throughout the summer thus far, with the likes of Tommy Doyle, Demarai Gray, Kyogo Furuhashi and more arriving.

With lofty ambitions, Birmingham are looking to make their stay in the Championship a short one, and they could make a serious statement on opening night as they face promotion favourites Ipswich, who were relegated from the Premier League last term.

FLW's Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore, has given his thoughts on the starting XI that manager Chris Davies should pick ahead of Friday's clash.

Ryan Allsop

Goalkeeper

"I would go for Ryan Allsop in goal," said Jason.

The 33-year-old made 38 appearances for the Blues as they stormed to the League One title last term.

Bright Osayi-Samuel

Right-back

"Bright Osayi-Samuel at right-back," was Jason's pick to start on the right side of Birmingham's defensive line.

The 27-year-old is among the new arrivals at St. Andrew's this summer, having signed on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Turkish giants, Fenerbahçe.

Phil Neumann

Centre-back

"Phil Neumann and Christoph Klarer at centre-back," is the pairing Jones has gone with in the heart of Davies' defence.

The eyes will be on Birmingham's new all-German-speaking centre-back partnership of Neumann and Klarer, with the former arriving from 2. Bundesliga side Hannover 96 over the summer.

Christoph Klarer

Centre-back

Neumman is backed to link up with Austrian defender Klarer, who made the switch from Darmstadt last summer.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a superb debut campaign with the Blues, making 54 total appearances in all competitions, whilst adding two goals and three assists as well.

Alex Cochrane

Left-back

"Alex Cochrane at left-back," is how Jones completes his predicted Birmingham City starting defensive unit for Friday evening.

Cochrane joined from Hearts last summer, and like Klarer, also made 54 appearances in all competitions, whilst scoring once and providing three assists.

Tomoki Iwata

Defensive midfield

Birmingham's midfield pairing of Paik Seung-ho and Tomoki Iwata were formidable as Chris Davies' side picked up a record 111 points in League One last term.

Jason believes that more of the same is in order as the Blues prepare for life back in the Championship: "Iwata and Paik in front of the back four."

Paik Seung-ho

Defensive midfield

Paik Seung-ho arrived from South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC in January 2024, and was able to really show what he could do in his first full season as a Birmingham player last term.

50 total appearances in all competitions, Seung-ho played an essential role alongside Iwata in the heart of Brum's midfield, with his relentless energy and work-rate paired with a wonderful ability to retain and distribute possession; it's no wonder he spent time with Barcelona as a youngster.

Tommy Doyle

Attacking midfield

"Tommy Doyle more advanced in the number 10 role," is where Jason sees Birmingham's headline summer signing slotting into the opening day starting lineup.

Doyle arrived on loan from West Midlands rivals Wolves this summer - a deal FLW exclusively revealed was happening - after being out of the picture under Vitor Pereira due to the emergence of Andre and João Gomes' partnership.

Achieving promotion to the Premier League with Sheffield United in 2023, Doyle brings fantastic credentials and could thrive in a role between the lines, where he has demonstrated his ability from range with both the Blades and Wolves.

Keshi Anderson

Right wing

"If we don't sign a right-winger, then I would go for Keshi Anderson on the right," said Jason.

The attacker scored seven goals in League One under Davies last term and is trusted to play out on the right ahead of the club's season opener.

Demarai Gray

Left wing

"It has to be Demarai Gray on the left," proclaimed Jason.

The 29-year-old sealed a return to the club he developed at as a youngster and took his first steps in the senior game with this summer, having spent the last two years in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq.

While Gray did not quite explode as expected in the Premier League with Leicester and Everton, his wand of a right foot could prove to be a huge asset as the Blues