Middlesbrough and Southampton lock horns in the Championship play off final first-leg at the Riverside on Saturday lunchtime. Middlesbrough vs Southampton best bets Under 2.5 goals in the game/BTTS (Yes) – 5/1 with bet365 Ryan Manning to score or assist – 7/2 with Betfred Goal before 31:00 – 5/6 with bet365 Middlesbrough vs Southampton head to head overview Date: Saturday, 9th May 2026 Kick-off: 12:30PM Venue: Riverside Stadium Where to watch: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Ultra HD Referee: Farai Hallam Last meeting: Middlesbrough 4-0 Southampton Last 10 matches: Middlesbrough 3 wins, Southampton 4 wins, 3 draws Favourite to win: Middlesbrough – 5/4 with Betfred Middlesbrough vs Southampton predicted lineups Middlesbrough expected lineup (3-4-2-1): Brynn; Malanda, Fry, Ayling; Targett, Morris, Browne, Brittain; Conway, Whittaker; Conway Southampton expected lineup (4-2-3-1): Peretz; Manning, Wood, Harwood-Bellis, Bree; Downes, Bragg; Scienza, Azaz, Fellows; Stewart Middlesbrough vs Southampton predictions Middlesbrough may have thrashed Southampton 4-0 last time they played each other in the regular season. But that was before the Saints’ remontada took place later in 2006 under manager Tonda Eckert. Southampton arrive into their playoff campaign having lost just once (in the FA Cup semi final to Manchester City) in 20 matches. It must count for something with the players forgetting what it feels like to lose in the league, even if the gaffer says otherwise; “I don’t care, it doesn’t make a difference. Eckert admitted. “No one cares in the end if we make it all the way and you don’t make the last step. We need to make the last step.” Southampton’s fourth place finish ensures they have the second-leg at home, which may prove crucial over the course of the tie. Ironically the last time the South Coast side failed to score in any competition was the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Boro in January. As for the Boro, it was in the winter that Kim Hellberg had his side on a roll and looked to be taking a stranglehold on the top two. They had they only spent one week outside the top two between mid-August and mid-March, but while automatic promotion might have been the ambition for the majority of the campaign. Hellberg insists there should be no disappointment at ending up in the play-offs. “It’s difficult to sum up the season with three more games to play [if they make the final],” he said. “But in general, we’ve done good. We’ve been fighting all season. We weren’t good enough [to finish in the top two], but we weren’t far away. Boro’s form nosedived in March and April but after a 1-0 home loss to relegation-threatened Portsmouth, they managed to steady to ship and go unbeaten for the rest of the season to ensure they ended up in fifth position. This match will be two teams who play front-footed attacking football which should make it for a enthralling encounter. Middlesbrough vs Southampton prediction, odds, betting tips, best bets, lineups, tv channel and more Middlesbrough vs Southampton betting tips The leading Mann Ryan Manning has eight goals and six assists in the Championship this season. The full back has been a key contributor, especially in the run in, where he scored and assisted against Ipswich. Four of his eight goals have come from direct free kicks and you wouldn’t back against another one going in on Saturday. Early goal the order of the day Both teams like to play out and build from the back early, which can lead to quick transitions if possession is lost. Southampton especially tend to start games proactively rather than cautiously Middlesbrough at home often push early to control tempo. This should lead to an exciting, open encounter with the deadlock broken before half time. Under 2.5 goals in the game/BTTS (Yes) – 5/1 with bet365 Ryan Manning to score or assist – 7/2 with Betfred Goal before 31:00 – 5/6 with bet365 Middlesbrough vs Southampton latest odds Find the latest Middlesbrough vs