How many tickets Middlesbrough have sold for Southampton - Finn Azaz reunion will be tasty | OneFootball

Boro are set to be backed by a typically superb travelling army from Teesside at St Mary's on Saturday.

Championship table-toppers Middlesbrough are set to be backed by a typically strong Teesside travelling army as Rob Edwards takes his side to struggling Southampton for a reunion with Finn Azaz this weekend.

This one has the feel of being a hugely important game for both teams.

Southampton will be going in search of their first league win since their opening day victory over Wrexham on Saturday, with Will Still's side taking just six points from their opening six games of the season.

As for Middlesbrough, extending their unbeaten run at a tough venue like St Mary's would be yet another strong indicator that they're a serious force to be reckoned with this term, ahead of what looks to be their biggest game of the season so far at home to Stoke City next Tuesday.

The number of tickets Middlesbrough fans have sold for Southampton clash

Regardless of how their team are performing on the pitch, Middlesbrough fans always travel the length and breadth of the country to follow their club.

Teessiders will take one of their longest trips of the season this weekend too, as they make the hundreds of miles round trip to the South Coast.

The last time these two teams met at St Mary's on the 29 March 2024, the points were shared, as an early Adam Armstrong goal for Southampton was eventually cancelled out by a 90th minute equaliser from Emmanuel Latte Lath, with 1-1 being the final score that day.

It's probably safe to assume that both sets of supporters would be reasonably content if that was to be the same scoreline this time around, as Saints fans will appreciate the challenge of playing the league leaders despite their thirst for wins, whilst it would see Middlesbrough protect their unbeaten record for another game.

But how many Smoggies will be descending on Southampton this Saturday?

Well, as per a post from Middlesbrough's official X account on Tuesday, Boro had sold over 2,300 tickets, with less than 100 left remaining on sale, which will undoubtedly be snapped up too ahead of kick-off.

Boro will be right up for Saints trip given Finn Azaz subplot

Who doesn't love a juicy subplot to spice up an already tasty game of football in prospect?

Well, we've certainly got that this weekend, and it revolves around Southampton's number 10, and Middlesbrough's former number 20, Finn Azaz.

Boro sold the attacking midfielder to the Saints this summer, in a deal that saw the Teessiders bank an initial £12m, but could rise to £14m with add-ons.

The Republic of Ireland international enjoyed a strong 24/25 season for Middlesbrough, bagging 12 goals and providing 11 assists in 45 Championship games under Michael Carrick.

However, he did routinely come in for criticism over his work-rate and tendency to go missing in big games from a considerable number of Boro fans, and with no goals or assists from his opening three games as a Southampton player, those same sentiments are beginning to be repeated by sections of the St Mary's faithful.

He was dropped entirely from the matchday squad for Southampton's Carabao Cup clash away at Liverpool on Tuesday night, in which an 85th-minute goal from Hugo Ekitike prevented Saints from taking the Reds to penalties after Shea Charles had equalised with under 15 minutes to play.

Middlesbrough fans will be feeling as though they've got the better end of the deal too, with the superbly talented Man City loanee Sverre Nypan certainly not having any questions asked over his energy and work-rate, whilst he, David Strelec, Kaly Sene, Sontje Hansen and Alan Browne are all new quality options in attacking midfield too.

It will be interesting to see what kind of reception Azaz gets from the travelling Teessiders, but as kick-off approaches, there is a growing sense that he won't be afforded a warm one.