Southampton needs to be wary of Hull when heading to Wembley

Southampton will soon learn what their punishment is, after being caught spying on a Middlesbrough training session, in the build-up to the Championship playoffs getting underway.

The most severe penalty would see Tonda Eckert's men be banished from the competition altogether, yet, the punishment could be just a fine, like Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United experienced in 2019, when they were found guilty of similar behaviour.

Saints fans will be praying that the penalty doesn't result in their team being dumped out of the playoffs, having worked hard to get to the playoff final at Wembley, with the South Coast outfit boasting an impressive record at the home of football.

Southampton's impressive record at Wembley

Eckert and Co. have had the pleasure of playing at Wembley several times in recent years, with 2026 already seeing them play at the iconic stadium.

The Saints were so unlucky to come unstuck 2-1 against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals, with Finn Azaz's sumptuous opener making all the Southampton fans packed inside Wembley dream that their beloved team was going to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 1976, when Southampton lifted the FA Cup at Manchester United's expense.

Instead, a late fightback occurred to spare Pep Guardiola's blushes. If the final does go ahead as expected, and Southampton show the same desire and hunger against Hull, a promotion should be on the cards.

Another good omen is the fact that they clinched promotion via this tense route in 2024, against an opponent from Yorkshire no less, in Leeds, as Adam Armstrong won the contest 1-0 versus Daniel Farke's shellshocked Whites.

Lifting the EFL Trophy in 2010 too, as a League One club, when downing Carlisle United 4-1, Saints fans have lots of fond memories attached to Wembley.

Hull cannot be underestimated, though, as they also have a lot of fond flashbacks associated with the home of football, alongside excelling this season when they have been perceived as an underdog.

Southampton must be wary of Hull

Strangely, as well, Sergej Jakirović is the last manager to have gotten the better of the Saints this season in league action, as Hull won 2-1 on their travels to the South Coast in January.

The Bosnian would love to pull off another memorable win when travelling to Wembley, with Hull shocking Millwall over two legs - who finished in third position - by remaining calm and assured throughout in a 2-0 aggregate victory.

Alongside being able to spring surprises when the pressure is on, Hull have also won promotion to the Premier League twice via this elongated path, with 2008 seeing Dean Windass score a thunderous effort to send the Tigers into the top-flight, instead of Bristol City.

Mohamed Diame scored an equally audacious strike in 2016 to help Hull to the promised land again, over Sheffield Wednesday, with a member of the Tigers squad in the here and now desperate to be a Diame-like hero to seal a hat-trick of promotions courtesy of Wembley.

It will definitely be a closely contested final if it goes ahead with all the drama from Spygate still rumbling on, with Hull aiming to rain on the Saints parade by securing another unforgettable victory at Wembley.

Eckert will back his players to remain calm under the pressure, though, and let their football do the talking, as an instant return to the Premier League is achieved.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow