Prediction England Championship - Southampton vs Middlesbrough

England Championship  - Southampton vs Middlesbrough
Match Time: 29-03-2024 23:00 Friday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Southampton

Southampton entered the international break in high spirits as they ended a three-game losing streak by winning back-to-back league fixtures against Birmingham City and Sunderland, scoring eight goals in the process.

A last-gasp 4-3 victory away against Birmingham was followed a week later by a 4-2 home triumph over Sunderland, with Joe Rothwell coming off the substitutes' bench to score twice in the final 13 minutes as the Saints survived a Black Cats fightback to claim three valuable points.

While positives can be taken from Southampton claiming their 22nd league victory of the season, Russell Martin is sure to feel frustrated with the way his side are shipping goals – a total of 18 have been conceded by the Saints in their last eight games across all competitions, with at least two goals conceded across their last four home matches.

Nevertheless, Southampton remain in the hunt to secure a top-two finish in the Championship, as they currently sit fourth in the table, nine points behind second-placed Leicester City with a game in hand on the Foxes.

Southampton, who are preparing for their first Good Friday fixture since 2009, are unbeaten in their last three home meetings with Middlesbrough, although their last encounter at St Mary's was in 2016 under former boss Claude Puel, with Sofiane Boufal scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win.

Middlesbrough

Having posted 16 wins, six draws and 16 defeats in 38 Championship matches, a mid-table finish is currently on the cards for Middlesbrough, although Michael Carrick's side remain hopeful of sneaking into the playoffs.

Indeed, those ambitions have been boosted following a run of three victories against Norwich City, Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham, as well as a draw with Blackburn Rovers in their last four league matches prior to the international break.

With eight games remaining, Boro sit 10th in the second-tier standings, eight points behind sixth-placed Norwich who occupy the final playoff position, while Carrick's men will have no fears of entering the relegation picture as they sit 15 points clear of the bottom three.

While Middlesbrough have experienced an inconsistent campaign at the Riverside this season, they have impressed away from home, particularly since mid-December, as they have won seven of their last 11 games on the road in all competitions, including five wins in their last seven Championship away matches.

Such form will provide Carrick's men with optimism heading into their Good Friday fixture at St Mary's as they endeavour to complete their first league double over Southampton in 20 years.

Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Middlesbrough