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  1. Fry confident ahead of Boro's return leg at Saints published at 13:30 BST

    Dael Fry clapping supporters after the game against SouthamptonImage source, Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    Dael Fry has scored three goals in his 32 Middlesbrough appearances this season

    Middlesbrough captain Dael Fry remains full of confidence ahead of the return leg of the Championship play-off semi-final with Southampton.

    The tie is goalless after the first match at the Riverside in which Boro could not capitalise on an excellent first half display as they peppered the Saints goal with 17 shots to the visitors' zero.

    The match was more even after half-time but Fry has full belief that Kim Hellberg's team can produce what is required at St Mary's on Tuesday night (20:00 BST), as they have only lost one of their last nine away matches.

    "I'm proud of the lads," the defender told BBC Radio Tees. "I thought we were fantastic.

    "Going there on Tuesday, we're full of confidence. Our away form this season has been really good and I'm fully confident we can go there and get a result."

    There was a special atmosphere at the Riverside, with things fuelled by the spying allegations levelled at Southampton.

    The Boro coach was greeted by thousands of fans as it arrived at the ground, a special moment for local boy Fry.

    "I was blown away," he said. "Today made me proud to be from Teesside.

    "I was welling up on the bus. If anyone had started speaking to me, I think I would have started crying."

  2. Pick of the stats: Middlesbrough v Southamptonpublished at 12:41 BST 8 May

    Middlesbrough and Southampton club badgesImage source, Opta

    Middlesbrough welcome Southampton for the Championship play-off semi-final first leg on Saturday lunchtime (kick-off 12:30 BST).

    Boro won just two of their final 10 games in the regular season (D5 L3) to miss out on automatic promotion but can still reach the Premier League for the first time in nine years.

    Saints were unbeaten in their last 19 league games to climb from 15th to fourth as they look to bounce straight back to the top flight.

    • Middlesbrough have won their past two home games against Southampton, including a 4-0 league win in January. They've never won three in a row at home against Saints in all competitions.

    • Having won four of their five meetings with Middlesbrough between 2005 and 2017 (L1), Southampton are now winless in their previous four against them (D2 L2).

    • Middlesbrough were promoted to the top-flight via the play-offs in the second ever season they came into play (1987-88), beating Chelsea over two legs. Since then, they've been in the second tier play-offs four times without success, reaching the final only once (2014-15).

    • This is Southampton's third appearance in the Championship play-offs, losing to Derby in the 2006-07 semi-final before beating Leeds in the final at Wembley in 2023-24.

    • In their five previous Football League play-off campaigns, Middlesbrough have won the first leg of their semi-final tie only once (D2 L2), winning 2-1 at Brentford in 2014-15.

    • Southampton come into this game unbeaten in their final 19 Championship games (W14 D5). Only in 2023-24 have they had a longer run without defeat in the league (22), eventually getting promoted via the play-offs in that campaign.

    • Middlesbrough's past 11 goals in the regular Championship season were scored by either Tommy Conway (5), Morgan Whittaker (3) or David Strelec (3).

    • Cyle Larin has been involved in six goals in his past six starts for Southampton in all competitions, scoring in each of his previous five (1 assist).