Middlesbrough v Southampton LIVE: Text commentary of Championship play-off semi-final first leg

Middlesbrough have won their last two home games against Southampton, including a 4-0 league win in January. They’ve never won three in a row at home against Saints in all competitions.

Having won four of their five meetings with Middlesbrough between 2005 and 2017 (L1), Southampton are now winless in their last four against them (D2 L2).

Middlesbrough were promoted to the top-flight via the play-offs in the second ever season they came into play (1987-88), beating Chelsea over two legs. Since then, they’ve been in the second tier play-offs four times without success, reaching the final only once (2014-15).

This is Southampton’s third appearance in the Championship play-offs, losing to Derby in the 2006-07 semi-final before beating Leeds in the final at Wembley in 2023-24.

In their five previous Football League play-off campaigns, Middlesbrough have won the first leg of their semi-final tie only once (D2 L2), winning 2-1 at Brentford in 2014-15.

Southampton come into this game unbeaten in their final 19 Championship games (W14 D5). Only in 2023-24 have they had a longer run without defeat in the league (22), eventually getting promoted via the play-offs in that campaign.

Middlesbrough’s last 11 goals in the regular Championship season were scored by either Tommy Conway (5), Morgan Whittaker (3) or David Strelec (3).

Cyle Larin has been involved in six goals in his last six starts for Southampton in all competitions, scoring in each of his last five (1 assist).