Middlesbrough v Southampton 4/1 Bet Builder Tips, Predictions & Best Bets

Friday 8 May, 20263 min read

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After drawing 2-2 against Wrexham on the final day, Middlesbrough finished fifth in the Championship.

Southampton won 3-1 at Preston which saw them leapfrog Middlesbrough right at the end to finish fourth.

The Saints are now unbeaten in their last 19 Championship matches.

Middlesbrough v Southampton Bet Builder Tips

Middlesbrough v Southampton
Championship
12:30

4 Selections @ 4.07

Both Teams to Score @ 1.75

Just before Southampton started their unbeaten streak, they suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat by Middlesbrough, which was early on in Tonda Eckert’s tenure. Even though the hosts had the better chances on the day, the match wasn’t as one-sided as the scoreline suggests - the Saints recorded 16 shots worth 1.12 xG, forcing Solomon Brynn into four saves. They were unfortunate not to score in the end, and Middlesbrough were much more efficient in the final third, scoring four times from their 22 shots worth 2.27 xG.

This is a clash between two of the more attack-minded teams in the Championship this season, which makes goals a target. Southampton are in better form, and they are unlikely to sit back, but Middlesbrough can be devastating going forward, and they put five goals past Watford in their last home outing.

Over 8.5 Corners @ 1.40

Middlesbrough have been one of the Championship's most effective sides at generating corners this season, and they are averaging 6.83 corners per game in the league this season. That figure rises even further to 7.65 when playing at the Riverside Stadium, which shows how Middlesbrough like to stretch the pitch and get their fullbacks involved in attacks. They have racked up some notable corner counts in recent weeks, including 14 corners against Portsmouth, and 17 corners against Millwall just before that.

Southampton’s average of 5.65 corners per game in the league is also impressive, and there have been at least ten corners in each of their last six matches in a row. There were 16 corners in the most recent head-to-head meeting between these sides, as Middlesbrough cleared this line on their own with 11, while Southampton contributed another five.

Cyle Larin to have 1+ Shots on Target @ 1.73

Cyle Larin has been in exceptional form since joining Southampton on loan from Mallorca in the January transfer window, and his uptick in form has been key to Southampton’s run to the playoffs. The Canadian international scored against Preston last weekend, despite only featuring off the bench for a 22-minute cameo. He has also found the back of the net in each of his last five successive starts - at the moment, it seems like he has to start.

Larin has scored eight goals from his 16 appearances in the Championship, which is an impressive return. He is also averaging 2.64 shots per 90 in the league, and 56% of his efforts have hit the target. Larin is adept when it comes to finding gaps in the opposition box, and he tends to be efficient when the chances fall to his feet.

Flynn Downes to Commit 2+ Fouls @ 1.44

Flynn Downes will be eligible to make his return to the Southampton starting eleven after serving a three-game suspension for a violent conduct during the win over Swansea City. He missed the FA Cup semi-final against Man City and the final two league games of the regular season.

Downes is one of the most combative midfielders in the Championship, averaging 1.91 fouls per 90 this season, and he has been booked 12 times in his 36 league appearances. His foul counts tend to jump when playing away, where he has landed this selection in nine of his 13 starts overall. That includes two fouls when he last made the trip to the Riverside Stadium.

He should find duels against Aidan Morris in midfield - the 24-year-old is averaging 2.61 fouls drawn per 90 in the Championship this season, and he should give Downes plenty of defensive work to get through.

A £10 bet on this bet builder returns £50.74 if it wins.

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📈 Middlesbrough v Southampton Form & Stats

After struggling under Will Still to start the season, Southampton recovered in the second half of the campaign, sparked by the appointment of Tonda Eckert as the new manager. The Saints are on an unbeaten run of 19 league matches, and they were able to overtake Middlesbrough in the league standings on the final day to occupy fourth in the standings. Southampton also had an impressive FA Cup run, which recently ended as they lost 2-1 to Man City at Wembley, but they did manage to beat Arsenal en route there. Still, Southampton have been in exceptional form, and so have every reason to approach the playoffs with confidence.

Middlesbrough didn’t have the most convincing end to the Championship campaign, as they went on a seven-game winless streak. They were looking well on track to secure a top two finish and automatic promotion to the Premier League at one point, but Middlesbrough finished four points behind Ipswich in the end.

Boro’s form has been quite inconsistent in recent weeks - they have won back-to-back home matches coming into this clash, but prior to that had failed to win any of their last six at the Riverside Stadium. However, they will take confidence from the fact they beat Southampton 4-0 earlier this campaign.

📔 Middlesbrough v Southampton Formation & Team News

Tonda Eckert is expected to make a few changes from the eleven which beat Preston on the final day - Larin will hope to lead the line instead of Ross Stewart, with Leo Scienza out on the left wing. Finn Azaz could return to an advanced midfield role, playing in front of Downes. Ryan Manning looks set to replace Wellington at left back, while Shea Charles could return to his more natural role in midfield, after playing at right back last time out.

Aidan Morris looks set to partner Alan Browne in the Middlesbrough midfield this weekend, as Hayden Hackney remains sidelined through injury. Tommy Conway, Morgan Whittaker and David Strelec should start in more advanced areas, with Jeremy Sarmiento waiting in the wings from the bench. Middlesbrough have persisted with a 5-2-3 formation this season, with Luke Ayling at centre back, and Matt Target providing width from wingback.

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