Seeking to boost their slim hopes of automatic promotion, Southampton welcome Middlesbrough to St Mary's for a Championship clash on Good Friday.
The Saints suffered a 2-1 defeat to Boro at the Riverside Stadium the last time that these two teams locked horns in September last year.
Match preview
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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 that 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.
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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.
Team News
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Southampton duo Ross Stewart and Juan Larios remain sidelined with long-term hamstring injuries, but Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Fraser could be ready to return to the matchday squad after spells out with respective hamstring and knee problems.
The potential return of Walker-Peters to the first XI could see Jack Stephens drop out of the side and Taylor Harwood-Bellis move from right-back into central defence alongside Jan Bednarek, who helped Poland qualify for Euro 2024 on Tuesday at the expense of David Brooks's Wales.
Brooks could retain his place in the front three alongside Che Adams and Adam Armstrong, the latter of whom has been involved in 29 Championship goals (18 goals, 11 assists) so far this season – more than any other player in the division.
As for Middlesbrough, Riley McGree picked up a foot injury on international duty with Australia and has emerged as a major doubt, while Marcus Forss (hamstring), Hayden Hackney, Rav van den Berg (both knee), Dael Fry, Josh Coburn (both groin), Alex Bangura (leg), Darragh Lenihan and Tommy Smith (both Achilles) all remain sidelined.
Finn Azaz and Sam Greenwood are the two most likely candidates to deputise in the absence of McGree and Forss, joining Emmanuel Latte Lath in attack.
Luke Ayling, Paddy McNair and Matt Clarke are expected to continue in the back three, with Isaiah Jones and Lukas Engel operating as wing-backs.
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Bednarek, Manning; Smallbone, Downes, S. Armstrong; Brooks, Adams, A. Armstrong
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Ayling, McNair, Clarke; Jones, Howson, O'Brien, Engel; Azaz, Greenwood; Latte Lath
We say: Southampton 2-1 Middlesbrough
Both sides will be motivated to collect maximum points to boost their promotion hopes, and although Southampton will be regarded as slight favourites, Middlesbrough cannot be taken lightly considering their away form and victory over the Saints in the reverse fixture.
Six of the last eight meetings between these two sides have seen both teams score, with Southampton netting in all eight of those matches, and we can see the Saints just edging this closely-fought contest on Good Friday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
