- A 0-0 draw in Middlesbrough left the play-off semi-final on a knife-edge, with the tie finely poised
- Southampton have gone unbeaten in five league games, scoring freely in 3-1 and 2-1 wins over Preston and Swansea to maintain their attacking momentum
- Boro have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five, including a 5-1 win over Watford and a late drop of points.
Stakes high for Saints and Boro as second-leg awaits
Saints and Boro will be back in action again on Tuesday as the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-final gets underway on the south coast. The tie is on a knife-edge after a tense and tightly-contested 0-0 draw at the Riverside, leaving the winner of this fixture in pole position to reach the Wembley final and secure a shot at a financially life-changing promotion to the Premier League.
Both these sides finished in the top six; the Saints edged it on points as they accumulated 82 to Boro’s 80 in a season in which the pair have been closely matched in all departments. Off the pitch, tensions were raised by Boro’s accusation that Southampton staff had allegedly filmed their training session, adding extra spice to what is already a fiery showdown.
Boro have won the matchup once in three meetings this season, 4-0 at the Riverside in October, but the other two were both draws. Saints held Boro to a 0-0 away from home in the first-leg of this clash and will feel their attacking prowess and home advantage should be enough to edge out a result in the second-leg.
Tonda Eckert’s Saints have turned the corner
Tonda Eckert took over a struggling club and has transformed the Saints into a high-octane 4-3-3 side that presses opponents into mistakes and plays vertically on the transition. They are unbeaten in their last five league matches as they stormed up the Championship table to finish fourth.
Leo Scienza is the creative spark behind the team, involved in more goals and assists than any other Saint since Eckert’s arrival, and Cyle Larin adds the clinical edge up front, while Ross Stewart provides a physical targetman up front.
Tom Fellows is the driving force in midfield, which is protected by an experienced and reliable back four, while keeper Daniel Peretz has delivered key saves and clean sheets as the team found late-season form to finish fourth.
Boro build from the back and can be dangerous in transition
Kim Hellberg has done a fantastic job since he took over in November, moulding Boro into an organised, fluid team that controls the ball and tempo of the game. His side play a relationist style of football, keeping possession and moving the ball in a 4-3-3 system, which has made them a much more potent force in the Championship.
Morgan Whittaker has scored double figures in the league and Tommy Conway offers a second striker, while Hayden Hackney, the Championship Player of the Year, is progressing after injury and could feature from the bench, which would be a major boost for Boro. Sol Brynn and an experienced back four make them a tough team to break down, and their wing-play and central creativity are where they are most dangerous.
Goals likely in crucial showdown
Southampton are the favourites here at 127/100, although Boro are not far behind at 43/20 and the draw can be backed at 27/10, all of which are probably about right given how close this matchup usually is.
Boro’s form has been erratic in the final few games with two wins, a loss and two draws, while Saints have kept up their momentum by scoring freely in their recent wins. There is a lot of attacking firepower on show and the bookies are leaning towards goals in this clash, with Over 2.5 goals at 37/50 and both teams to score at 29/50 both attractive options.
Back the home side to continue their excellent form by edging this one 1-0 in 90 minutes, although a single moment or a set-piece goal could decide this game in Boro’s favour.
