2025-26 Sky Bet Championship: Week Seven – Saturday

Struggling Southampton host league leaders, Middlesbrough in a Championship clash at St Mary’s Stadium. 

Victory could move Southampton as much as four points clear of the relegation zone depending on results elsewhere, whilst Boro will stay top regardless of the result.

 

Team News

Southampton have no fresh injury concerns to report after their Carabao Cup exit at Liverpool with a full squad available for selection.

Middlesbrough could have defender, George Edmundson available despite him having been substituted in their 2-1 home win over West Brom, due to an eye injury suffered in the first half.

Seny Dieng (Achilles), Dael Fry (calf) and Riley McGree (muscle) remain ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Southampton host Middlesbrough at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday 27 September at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Southampton have claimed seven points in their last five league meetings against Middlesbrough (W2, D1, L2).
• Middlesbrough are winless in their last four league visits to Southampton (D2, L2).
• The Saints have kept clean sheets in two of their last three home games against Boro, except for a 1-1 draw in March 2024.
• Southampton’s three league goals scored at home this season were scored in and after the 79th minute.
• Boro’s seven away league goals this season have been scored by seven different individual goalscorers.

 

Prediction

With just one win in six league matches, it is hard to know what to expect from Southampton because they clearly have a good attacking press yet their defence is their Achilles heel, especially after a tough 3-1 loss at Hull last weekend but they showed solid fighting spirit in their cup defeat at Liverpool.

Middlesbrough meanwhile weren’t exactly defensively solid at times against West Brom but they ultimately dug in to block West Brom’s energetic attack, but clinically took their own chances which might be something that they need to do to nullify Southampton’s relentless attacking press.

There also is a marked contrast in form and confidence between both teams and unless Southampton turn up with an improved end product, I fancy Middlesbrough to nick this if there is a winner but a draw might be a fair result such is the visitors’ form at St Mary’s.

Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Middlesbrough

Result: Southampton 1-1 Middlesbrough