Rob Edwards needs to end 22-year unwanted Middlesbrough streak versus Southampton

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Middlesbrough are flying high at the top of the Championship and a victory at Southampton this weekend will indicate they are very much on the right track.

That’s not just because the Saints spent the second highest amount in the Championship this summer or that they were tipped to go straight back up before the season began.

Boro couldn’t shake off their Preston North End hoodoo earlier this month, seeing out a 2-2 draw and still waiting for their first win at Deepdale since 2020.

Now, Middlesbrough are being tasked with ending a 22-year streak at St Mary’s this weekend.

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Middlesbrough haven’t won at Southampton for 22 years

Middlesbrough fans haven’t seen a win at St Mary’s since this time 22 years ago. Gordon Strachan’s Saints’ unbeaten start to the season was ended by the Teessiders, with Malcolm Christie’s early strike enough to seal a 1-0 win and extend Boro’s unbeaten streak of three games at St Mary’s in the Premier League.

Danny Mills and Colin Cooper were playing for Boro, while Kevin Phillips and James Beattie were starring for Southampton.

It is of course worth noting the sides have only faced each other four times at St Mary’s since that match. The clubs have seen out two draws, while Southampton have won the three other clashes.

Their last meeting on the south coast ended in a 1-1 draw in March 2024, which saw Southampton concede a 90-minute equaliser courtesy of Boro’s Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Will Still could do without a repeat of Middlesbrough’s last win at St Mary’s

While Will Still will want to avoid a repeat last minute frustration this weekend, he will also want the Saints to stay away from suffering the same frustrations from Boro’s last win at St Mary’s.

Southampton lost 2-1 to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, and Still admitted his side shot themselves in the foot by not taking their chances.

Phillips was sent off in Boro’s visit in 2003 for kicking out at Franck Queudrue – something Still could definitely do without one of his own players repeating. However, the Saints back then were also wasteful with their chances, with Paul Telfer striking the post and Beattie firing wide to sum up a poor day in front of goal.

Southampton are currently 19th in the Championship after six games played and haven’t won in the league since the opening day of the season, so will need to avoid drawing another blank on Saturday.