Southampton vs Middlesbrough Predictions

• Southampton have only won one of their last five games.
• Middlesbrough are unbeaten in six away games.
• Boro have not lost any of their last five meetings with the Saints.

Extra-time beckons on the south coast

Middlesbrough were unfortunate not to establish a first-leg lead at the Riverside on Saturday, but they can defy the odds to avoid defeat on the south coast, potentially taking this play-off tie to extra-time.

Boro outshot Southampton 21-6 in the first leg and generated 1.82 expected goals to the Saints’ 0.58, and they head to St Mary’s Stadium unbeaten in their last five games.

Southampton were one of the form teams heading into the play-offs, but they have only won one of their last five in all competitions and have drawn their last two home games, with each of those ending 2-2.

Three of the visitors’ last five and each of their last four away games have ended all square, and the last three of these have ended 2-2. They haven’t lost an away game since a February defeat to Championship winners Coventry, so backing them in the double chance market appeals alongside another 2-2 stalemate.

Attacker Tommy Conway could make a big difference, too. He had four shots and two on target in the first leg and has scored five goals in his last seven appearances.