Southampton have lost just three of their 23 home league games this season
Middlesbrough have not won on any of their last five visits to St Mary’s
Recommended bet: Southampton to win (full-time result) @ 59/50
Despite dominating possession and having more efforts on goal in the first leg, Middlesbrough could rue missed opportunities as they now head to the south coast for the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-final.
Boro enjoyed 63.5% possession and had 21 shots at the Riverside on Saturday, while Southampton failed to register a shot on target across the whole game.
Two of the three meetings this term have finished in draws and it is likely to be another tight encounter on Tuesday night between two very evenly matched teams.
Team news
Southampton have no new fitness issues to report, while Mads Roerslev remains a long-term absentee.
Saints striker Ross Stewart could be handed a start having come off the bench as a second-half substitute at the Riverside.
Middlesbrough could have Hayden Hackney back in their squad, but the England Under-21 international is likely to be named on the bench after injury.
Riley McGree is pushing for a start for the first time in a month, while Boro have a fitness doubt over Alan Browne.
The stats
Both teams finished the regular season on 80 points from 46 games.
The two sides drew 1-1 when they met at St Mary’s earlier in the season.
Both teams have scored in their last two meetings at Southampton, with both games finishing 1-1.
Only Coventry (97) scored more goals than Saints (82) in the Championship this season.
Middlesbrough have averaged 1.60 yellow cards per game, with Southampton averaging 1.84.
Kim Hellberg’s men have scored six goals across their last three away games.
The latest Southampton vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
The first leg was tight and tense and it looks likely to be more of the same on Tuesday, with a place at Wembley up for grabs.
These two teams could not be more evenly matched on figures this season, not only finishing on the same points but there was also just one goal between them on goal difference.
It is Southampton, though, that go into the match in better form, with Tonda Eckert’s men unbeaten in 20 Championship fixtures, while they also knocked out Premier League leaders Arsenal out of the FA Cup.
Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last six away games in all competitions, but the last four matches on the road have finished all-square.
The absence of Hackney has been a big setback for Boro, with the 23-year-old pulling the strings earlier in the season.
Hackney is unlikely to be fit enough to start on Tuesday and that could be significant as Southampton seek to make their second play-off final in three seasons.
Back Southampton to win in full-time result at 59/50 with LiveScore Bet.
Score Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Middlesbrough
The latest Southampton vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet
