Match Day Thread Southampton v Middlesbrough, Tuesday, 12th May 2026, 20:00 KO - Live on Sky TV

[SR get out of my club]

Well, that was a game of two halves, weren't it lads.

Gonna be tough, another close encounter. So only 4-1 to Saints.

Team wise, I wonder if it will be Ross in for Larin (although I'd be tempted to keep Larin from the start).

I'm happy either way, win and we get to a final, lose and we have another year in the EFL perhaps. Who knows, maybe 10 down there.

No pressure, team.

 

[SR get out of my club]

Ooops.

@tomw24 @ChilcoSaint - can you change this to match thread as I missed that in all my excitement.=?

Thanks.

 

[thereisonlyoneno7]

We will win or lose this one.

 

[StJabbo1]

Having morphed from righteous indignation to enthusiastic predictor I'll go for the classic 3-1 home win for the super soaraway Saints.

 

[SAINTOSPREY]

Deleted (The Referee list is not yet on the Official EFL site, it may be subject to the enquiry)

 

[SAINTOSPREY]

Tuesday 12th May 2026. Football League Championship Play Off 2nd Leg
Southampton FC v Middlesborough FC 20:00 KO
Referee: Andrew Madley
Assistant Referees: Nick Hopton. Craig Taylor.
Fourth Official: Tom Nield
Reserve Assistant Referee: Hugh Gilroy.

Credit Tomw24.

The EFL have just confirmed this list at 11:00 Monday 11th May 2026.

 

[Libby]

I see this being similar to yesterday in that we'll start like a train and they'll be happy to sit back and play on the break.

If we get an early goal I think we'll come through relatively comfortably, the longer it stays 0-0 the more they'll fancy their chances.

 

[garysfc]

Oooh a 90min straight shoot out …. unless it goes to aet? Everything really says home win but this is Saints so the anticipation, nervousness will be at fever pitch. Just hoping at this stage. One game at a time. COYS

 

[Paddy Podped]

Given the short turnaround, I propose a full XI rotation:


Laser Forster

Kyle Stalker-Peters
Virgil van Mic-rophone
Jan-Paul Spies
X-Rayan Bertrand


Morgan Spyderlin
Surveillance Vanyama
Richard Snaplow

Shane Long-Lens
Henri Camera
James Cheattie


Manager: James Bonda Eckert

 

[Le Tissier's Laces]

Would probably bring in Ross for Cyle and Matsuki for Fellows. Otherwise same team.

 

[RSS]

Unlike our long run of Tuesday/Saturdays. I don't want to see much rotation at all for this. Maybe just Stewart for Larin. Could do Matsuki for Fellows too but don't want any changes to the midfield duo. Charles is so much better off the bench and can come on to fill in multiple roles and I suspect Downes will be much better in this. It's also why I'd be fine with Fellows starting again as Matsuki has the better impact off the bench. If this does go to extra time, our bench should be a massive advantage, albeit I bet they stick Hackney on the bench for this since it's winner takes all.

 

[Lemons and Oranges]

We will win or lose this one.

I admire your confidence. Personally I think that it will be a game of two halves.

 

[Libby]

Would love to go into an early 2 goal lead tomorrow. The headloss in the away end would be superb.

We saw you training and you're ****ing ****

 

[Lovelocum]

Same team, subs at 55 minutes if we’re not 2-0 up

 

[Libby]

Would probably bring in Ross for Cyle and Matsuki for Fellows. Otherwise same team.

Yeah this for me too. Boro will probably sit in early doors and that won't suit Fellows, he could be useful coming on if we have a lead to defend though.

 

[Lovelocum]

Same team, subs at 55 minutes if we’re not 2-0 up

 

[st_brendy]

Same team, subs at 55 minutes if we’re not 2-0 up

I'd imagine that subs are more likely to be made later than usual, rather than earlier, if the game is close - given the potential for ET.

 

[Lovelocum]

I'd imagine that subs are more likely to be made later than usual, rather than earlier, if the game is close - given the potential for ET.

I suppose. Early if the worst happens

 

[Saints_Alive]

3-1 Saints with goals from Jack Ryan and Archer...

 

[It'sOnlyAGame]

I see this being similar to yesterday in that we'll start like a train and they'll be happy to sit back and play on the break.

If we get an early goal I think we'll come through relatively comfortably, the longer it stays 0-0 the more they'll fancy their chances.

I'll be very surprised if the game is relatively comfortable at any stage TBH. They'll be pretty confident after how they had us pinned back yesterday. It wouldn't even surprise me if they tried to start as they did at the Riverside. We will have to be really on it to get through (as it should be considering what's at stake) and I think it will be 1-0 either way.