Championship
Middlesbrough vs Southampton Prediction: Visitors March Home With First Leg Lead
Tony Incenzo previews Saturday afternoon’s EFL Championship play-off semi final between Middlesbrough and Southampton, with a score prediction for William Hill News.
The second of our EFL Championship Play-Off Semi-Final First Legs features two teams who completed regular season fixtures level on 80 points.
One side are disappointed to miss out on automatic promotion whilst the other will be delighted to extend their campaign. Accordingly, Championship betting is bubbling up to fever pitch.
Middlesbrough vs Southampton Prediction:
- Under 1.5 goals (21/10)
- Southampton to win (21/10)
- Middlesbrough 0-1 Southampton (8/1)
Here is a comprehensive preview alongside my considered score prediction to assist your football betting…
Middlesbrough v Southampton H2H Record In 2025/26:
- Saturday 27th September 2025 – Southampton 1-1 Middlesbrough
- Sunday 4th January 2026 – Middlesbrough 4-0 Southampton
Middlesbrough Preview
Final position in the Championship: 5th
2025/26 Championship home results: 12 wins, 6 draws, 5 defeats.
Current form in the Championship: I felt Boro seemed entirely capable of automatic promotion throughout large parts of 2025/26.
However, a disappointing run of merely two wins inside 12 games from mid-February to mid-April scuppered any hopes of second spot. At least Middlesbrough concluded with four unbeaten performances.
Leading scorer: Morgan Whittaker – 14 goals in the EFL Championship.
Last appearance in the top flight: 2016/17 finished second bottom in the Premier League and 12 points short of safety.
Manager Kim Hellberg said: “We knew all year we had a chance to gain second place and we gave it a shot. In general, we did well by fighting until the end.
“Ultimately, we weren’t good enough yet we weren’t far away. We’ve improved our displays overall through creating loads of goalscoring opportunities. I am proud of my players and the way we managed those times where we didn’t get the results we desired. The lads trust themselves.
“Now the Play-Offs provide a great opportunity for us. I know how this works. We are doing everything we can to win promotion. We will probably see two really entertaining games against Southampton.
“These are two attack-minded teams who try to play and want to press. I like that type of football. Southampton will have gained confidence from the run they’ve been on so I am looking forward to it.”
Southampton Preview
Final position in the Championship: 4th
2025/26 Championship away results: 10 wins, 6 draws, 7 defeats.
Current form in the Championship: Saints were in the bottom half when Tonda Eckert was appointed as men’s first team head coach on 5th December. Since then, he has totally transformed fortunes.
Indeed, they are unbeaten across 19 EFL matches beyond mid-January and also reached the FA Cup Semi-Finals narrowly losing 2-1 to Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
Leading scorer: Adam Armstrong – 11 goals in the EFL Championship.
Last appearance in the top flight: 2024/25 ending up 26 points adrift in rock bottom position of the Premier League.
Manager Tonda Eckert said: “We need to make the vital last step in the Play-Offs and we are ready to do it. No one cares if you go all the way before failing at the final hurdle. Our players are hitting the best form and fitness levels they’ve achieved this season so we are fully geared up for two big tests against Middlesbrough.
“My group have taken massive positive steps in recent weeks. We are a very different side to the one that lost 4-0 away to Middlesbrough at the beginning of January. Therefore we don’t look too far back. It is about using our strengths on the pitch.
“Our opponents Middlesbrough are quite clear in the way they approach a match and it is obvious what their qualities are. If Boro catch a good day and start to flow, I think they are a decent team in certain aspects of the game.
“But we will go there to win the first leg. A new chapter is opening and we are prepared for it. We will do everything possible to win on Saturday and see where we stand ahead of the second leg.”
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
