Two of the best attacking teams in the Championship meet at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday lunchtime, as Southampton make the long trip up north to take on Middlesbrough.
The two respective teams finished on the same points during the normal 46-game season, and this two-legged tie is expected to reflect the final league standings. Middlesbrough's automatic promotion attempt faltered in the final eight weeks of the league season, and their late unbeaten run was evidently too late to catch Ipswich Town. Kim Hellberg's side head into this fixture unbeaten in their last four league games, with two wins and two draws and throughout the campaign, his side have been consistent in the attacking areas. Middlesbrough have averaged 1.6 goals per game in the league and the hosts have only failed to score in one of their last five home matches.
The Riverside Stadium has seen their faire share of goals, with 2.26 goals per game during Middlesbrough's home matches this season.
As for Southampton, the Saints ended the league season with the best form in the Championship, as the away side is unbeaten since January, dropping points in only five of their previous 19 league games. Two draws in their last three games, including a 2-2 stalemate at home to promoted Ipswich Town, ended any faint hopes of an automatic promotion push for Southampton. The away side have been excellent on their travels with seven wins from their last eight on the road, so despite Middlesbrough finding success on home soil, they will face a difficult challenge from Southampton here.
The Saints finished the campaign with the second-best attack in the league behind Coventry City, averaging 1.8 goals per game. Southampton have found scoring relatively easy away from home, with 1.91 goals per 90 on the road.
The BTTS market has landed in five of the last seven matches involving Middlesbrough and in the last five games involving Southampton.
Finn Azaz has been one of the standout players in the Championship this season. Azaz, who scored past Manchester City at Wembley, has 19 goal contributions to his name, so we are backing him to make an impact here.
Both sides have shown that goals will be likely in this fixture and thus we are opting for a 2-2 draw.
Middlesbrough 2-2 Southampton
