Tonda Eckert reveals why he made big Southampton player decision ahead of Boro play-off | OneFootball

Tonda Eckert has revealed the reason behind a big decision he has made ahead of Southampton's Championship play-off clash with Middlesbrough

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert is gearing his side up for Saturday's Championship play-off clash with Middlesbrough.

The Saints are set to travel to the Riverside Stadium for the first leg of their play-off semi-final, while Boro will visit St Mary's Stadium on Tuesday.

Eckert's men finished fourth in the Championship following their 3-1 triumph over Preston North End on the final day of the regular season, whereas Kim Hellberg's men landed a fifth-place finish, having drawn 2-2 with Wrexham last Saturday.

Both Southampton and Middlesbrough missed out on automatic promotion by just four points, and are now desperate to book their spot in next season's Premier League via the play-offs.

The winner of the other Championship play-off semi-final, being played out between Hull City and Millwall, will await either the Saints or Boro at Wembley.

Tonda Eckert reveals reason behind unique play-off preparation at Southampton

Middlesbrough thrashed Southampton 4-0 in the last Championship meeting between the two sides, thanks to Morgan Whittaker's brace and goals from Samuel Silvera and Alan Browne.

However, a lot has changed since then, and both sides know that there is significantly more on the line in the play-offs than there was during a regular league clash back in January.

Meanwhile, as reported by the Northern Echo, Saints boss Eckert has revealed why he gave his players two days off following their victory over Preston: "I think the boys will be happy not to see me for two days.

"I will make sure that I don't talk too much on Tuesday. I need their full focus on Wednesday, and then we are ready to go. At this stage of the season, the boys look as good as they have all season.

"The boys are as ready as you can be. We now have two days off to recharge physically and mentally, and then we go fully at Middlesbrough."

Boro head into the home leg of their play-off clash with Southampton off the back of a four-game unbeaten run, while Eckert's side haven't lost in the Championship since a 2-1 defeat to Hull on 17 January.

Middlesbrough and Southampton have the ingredients of a Championship play-off classic

The Championship play-offs have played host to some of the most exciting moments in EFL history, which are still talked about by supporters up and down the country.

For instance, few second-tier observers will ever forget Troy Deeney's last-minute winner in Watford's 3-2 aggregate victory over Leicester City back in 2013.

The meetings between Middlesbrough and Southampton may not produce a Deeney-style moment, but there are reasons to suggest that the two sides could produce drama that will live long in the memory.

Eckert's men will be keen to get revenge for their aforementioned 4-0 defeat to Boro, while the North East club will take plenty of confidence from that particular triumph.

Furthermore, the Saints have boasted an indomitable spirit in recent months, which saw them enjoy a 20-game unbeaten run across all competitions before their FA Cup semi-final defeat against Manchester City.

Southampton also made a great account of themselves in a narrow 2-1 defeat against Pep Guardiola's men at Wembley.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough previously appeared set to clinch automatic promotion to the Premier League alongside Championship winners Coventry City.

However, woeful form throughout most of March and April saw Boro slip out of the top two and into the play-offs, where they are now meeting the Saints.

Boro have made a significantly stronger account of themselves in recent weeks, though, and will look to produce the sort of clinical performance that saw them hammer Watford 5-1 in their last home game.