Middlesbrough vs Southampton Preview: History, Recent Form, Team News and More

?Middlesbrough will host Southampton on Saturday for what is expected to be a routine end-of-season match with one side already relegated and the visitors delicately placed in mid-table. 

Southampton will be hoping to collect three points to ensure they remain in the top half of the Premier League, while the Boro will be playing simply for pride after relegation was confirmed against Chelsea. 

Southampton will be still licking their wounds after a mid-week defeat at the St Mary’s at home to Arsenal. A 2-0 loss to the Gunners, who turned up for a smash and grab victory to ensure their fight for Champions League contention continues, was not entirely deserved in a drab affair.

Southampton will be looking to bounce back with a win against Middlesbrough, who have been struggling for goals themselves all season. 

History

In the last fixture, which took place on a bleak night in December, summer signing Sofiane Boufal notched the only goal of the game with a wonderful 25-yard strike. For much of the season, both teams have lacked the fire power needed to rise further up the table, and this was evident in the first meeting between the two this season as chances were limited.

Apart from Álvaro Negredo, Boro have had very few options who can find the back of the net on a regular basis. English striker Jay Rodriguez also had a shot cleared off the line in the match but six attempts at goal from Middlesbrough summed up why they were sent down on Monday.

Previous to that, Middlesbrough and Southampton did not meet in a fixture in the league since March 2005.  Another piece of history during that game was Boufal’s scorcher marking the Saints 500th home league goal, and what a way to do it.

Even more impressive in the victory was French manager Claude Puel collecting the three points, despite a huge number of changes in personnel as he juggled a packed schedule, where they were still competing in the Europa League at the time.

Recent Form

Middlesbrough’s last six matches (LDWLLD)

Mixed form of late from the Boro, with a thumping loss to Chelsea, which was expected. But a recent surprise draw with Manchester City showed they do have the potential to compete with top-tier teams. Unfortunately it is too little too late to show promise in the Premier League, which is reflected in their current predicament.

Southampton’s last six matches (LDDLLW)

Sadly Southampton have also struggled of late, with form fluctuating with the end of the season approaching. A tough run of fixtures has seen them face Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City in their previous six matches. An away win at West Brom was impressive, against a side who are usually difficult to break down at the Hawthorns.

Team News

For the home side; goalkeeper Victor Valdes, play maker Gaston Ramirez and defensive stopper Daniel Ayala look like missing the match. Coming back into the line-up is recently injured Adlène Guedioura, with the possibility of recovering in time from a groin strain.

Southampton may have the luxury of calling upon the goals of former QPR player Charlie Austin, who has been out for sometime with a dislocated shoulder. Also in contention is defender Matt Targett, a long-term casualty who recently returned to training.

Possible Middlesbrough XI:

Guzan; Fabio, Gibson, Chambers, Friend; Downing, De Roon, Guédioura, Traoré, Forshaw, Negredo

Possible Southampton XI: 

Forster; Soares, Stephens, Yoshida, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Davis, Romeu, Redmond, Tadic, Gabbiadini

Prediction

Middlesbrough will be humiliated once more as the away side look to guarantee their position in the top half of the table.

Despite a resolute display from the defence, well marshalled by Ben Gibson, who was one of the only players from the campaign who can say they have performed well, Southampton will have too much creativity from the front line. Manolo Gabbiadini will bag two goals in a stellar first season at the club.

Middlesbrough 0-2 Southampton