Southampton have given their playoff semi-final opponents, Middlesbrough, a reduced away end for the playoff semi-final second leg.
This comes after the Boro also gave the Saints a smaller allocation for the first leg, in a move typical for this time of the season.
Both sides are seeking the smallest advantages to come out on top over the two legs, in a tie that is the exact definition of all-or-nothing.
Saints give Boro reduced away end
Southampton have allocated a reduced away end for Middlesbrough’s travelling fans ahead of the playoff semi-final visit on Tuesday, May 12.
The club made a similar decision in 2024, when West Bromwich Albion were given a smaller allocation in the old Northam away end, and the Baggies did the same in their home leg, as have Boro at the Riverside.
Middlesbrough have been handed just 2,000 tickets, as their away end is set to be just two-thirds full - Saints did not put the rest on sale as they did in 2024, with the new permanent barriers in place in the Kingsland/Chapel corner.
It goes to show that the Saints board are prioritising home atmosphere over money. While they could have raked in thousands of pounds more by selling the 1,000 spare away tickets, they want to give the Southampton team every bit of help possible by limiting the away fans’ presence.
A sold out St Mary’s
It will, of course, be a St Mary’s sellout for the playoff semi-final second leg.
Tickets sold out on Wednesday afternoon, even before the general sale ticket window, showing the sheer number of Saints fans with season tickets and memberships to their name.
Fans are planning to give their Southampton team a special welcome at the Ted Bates statue prior to the game, which was greatly received by the players and staff of the 2023/24 squad.
Saints supporters turned up in their thousands, and are set to do the same, as they cheer on Tonda Eckert’s reds for the last time at home this season.
They’ll be hoping it’s not the last game outright before then, and that they’ll be marching on to Wembley for a third time in three seasons on the 23rd of May.
Beating a Middlesbrough side that can be excellent on their day will be no mean feat for Southampton, but the Saints fans are going to give them absolutely every chance by being the side’s twelfth player.
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