Middlesbrough take on Southampton in the first leg of the second Championship play-off semi-final on Saturday. Both sides finished the regular season with the same number of points, with the Saints finishing fourth on goal difference.
Kim Hellberg’s Middlesbrough are coming off a 2-2 final-day draw at Wrexham, who missed the play-offs, as Hull City won 2-1 at home to Norwich City to pip the Red Dragons to sixth.
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Tommy Conway’s fourth-minute opener got the ball rolling at Racecourse Ground before Wrexham – chasing a fourth consecutive promotion – scored twice within 13 minutes to take the lead. However, Boro equalised two minutes before the break to force a share of the spoils, ending Wrexham’s play-off bid.
The dropped points meant that Boro slipped a place to fifth, ending the season with 80 points from 46 matches, winning 22.
Meanwhile, Tonda Eckert’s Southampton ended their regular season with a 3-1 win at Preston North End last weekend. Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Ross Stewart scored either side of the break to give the visitors a two-goal advantage.
Lewis Dobbin reduced arrears for Preston at the hour mark, but the Saints restored their two-goal advantage through Cyle Larin in the 91st minute to take the three points.
Snapping a two-game drawing streak, Eckert’s side moved up a place to finish fourth, with 80 points from 46 outings, winning 22.
On that note, here’s a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction, and betting tips for the Middlesbrough-Southampton Championship play-off clash at the Riverside:
Middlesbrough vs Southampton head-to-head stats and key numbers
- In 61 meetings across competitions, Southampton lead Middlesbrough 25-19, winning their last clash 4-0 at home in the Championship in January.
- Boro are unbeaten in four games against the Saints – all in the Championship – winning two, both at home.
- Boro have won two of their last eight home games – all in the Championship – losing three.
- The Saints have won four of their last five road outings across competitions, losing one.
- Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Middlesbrough: D-W-W-D-L; Southampton: W-D-L-D-W
Middlesbrough vs Southampton prediction
Both sides are coming off solid seasons, especially Southampton, as they look to join Coventry City and Ipswich Town in the Premier League next season.
The Saints have a narrow head-to-head advantage and have dominated recent meetings, winning their last two clashes at the Riverside as they seek a first three-peat at home against the Saints.
Boro have had four unsuccessful play-off campaigns since 1987-88, while the Saints are 1/2, beating Leeds in the 2024 play-off final to return to the Premier League.
While Boro have won their last two home games after six winless outings, the Saints have won their last seven league matches, so a stalemate could ensue.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Southampton
Middlesbrough vs Southampton betting tips
Tip-1: Draw
Tip-2: Saints to score
Tip-3: Over 1.5 goals
Edited by Bhargav
