Hull vs Middlesbrough: Championship play-off final prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds | OneFootball

Boro head to Wembley after Southampton expelled over ‘Spygate’ scandal

Hull and Middlesbrough compete for a place in the Premier League as the two clubs face off in the Championship play-off final this weekend.

There has been a huge amount of controversy in the build-up to the so-called ‘richest game in football’ worth around £250million, with Southampton, who originally beat Middlesbrough in the semi-finals, later expelled from the play-offs over the ‘Spygate’ scandal.

A Saints analyst was seen behind a tree at Middlesbrough’s Rockliffe Park training ground recording one of Boro’s sessions ahead of their first-leg tie, which ended 0-0 at the Riverside Stadium.

The Saints then beat Kim Hellberg’s side 2-1 at St Mary’s in dramatic fashion in the second leg last week, with Shea Charles scoring an extra-time winner.

However, after an EFL investigation, an independent disciplinary commission kicked Southampton out of the play-offs on Tuesday and removed them from the final, with Boro reinstated as Hull’s opponents, having continued to train in preparation for such a potential outcome.

Southampton - who were also handed a four-point deduction for next season after admitting that they also watched training sessions involving Ipswich and Oxford earlier this season - saw their appeal overturned and they are now under a separate investigation by the Football Association (FA).

Sergej Jakirovic’s Hull beat Millwall in stunning style at The Den to book their place at Wembley, with Mo Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt both coming off the bench to score in a 2-0 second-leg win that followed an initial goalless draw.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Hull vs Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final is scheduled for a 3.30pm BST kick-off on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

The match will take place at Wembley Stadium.

Where to watch Hull vs Middlesbrough

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage starting at 2.30pm BST.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the final live online via the Sky Go app.

Live blog: You can follow all the nerve-shredding action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.

Hull vs Middlesbrough team news

Hull will be without Eliot Matazo and Kyle Joseph at Wembley, though Amir Hadziahmetovic, David Akintola and Cody Drameh are all available.

Midfield loanee Toby Collyer has returned to Manchester United following an injury and will play no part.

As for Boro, key star Hayden Hackney will have some involvement after missing 10 games with a groin injury.

Major boost: Hayden Hackney will be fit to play some part for Middlesbrough against Hull at Wembley

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They are missing striker Tommy Conway, who suffered a ankle injury against Southampton that will see him sit out the World Cup with Scotland.

Alfie Jones is also sidelined, with doubts having surrounded the likes of Alex Bangura and Kaly Sene.

Hull vs Middlesbrough prediction

It has been an emotional week for Boro, while Hull have been left in limbo as to who they might face at Wembley.

Hence, neither side are coming into this huge fixture with any kind of ideal preparation.

Boro will be keen to show the world that they deserve their place in this year’s final despite their defeat by Southampton, while Jakirovic’s men will be hungry to produce a repeat of their performance the last time they visited the capital.

Middlesbrough to win, 2-1.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Hull wins: 23

Middlesbrough wins: 35

Draws: 20

Hull vs Middlesbrough match odds

Hull to win: 16/5

Middlesbrough to win: 20/23