Eng. Championship
2026-05-23 - Hull City vs Middlesbrough
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football : England: Championship
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Saturday 23rd May 2026, 1730hrs (GMT)
Dubbed the most valuable single football match in the world, this season’s Championship play-off final will now be contested between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon and the prize on offer will be a place in next season’s Premier League.
Following the ‘spy-gate’ allegations, Southampton have been found guilty and have been expelled from the play-off final - they will now be replaced by Middlesbrough in the final.
Hull City finished in 6th place at the end of the regular Championship season and seven points behind their upcoming opponents, Southampton, but the form book goes out of the window in this one-off final and Hull will be boosted by their recent 2-0 win over two legs against Millwall in the play-off semi-finals.
However, The Tigers have managed only two wins in the Championship from their last nine matches overall which came in the form of victories at the expense of Norwich City and aforementioned Millwall, but also includes being involved in four draws along with slipping to two defeats as well.
Middlesbrough have been handed a second bite of the cherry as they will line up against Hull City at Wembley Stadium after The Saints were found guilty of spying one of Boro’s training sessions before the 1st leg of their play-off semi-final.
Despite losing 2-1 in the 2nd leg at St Marys Stadium, Middlesbrough will be desperate to make the most of their second chance and prior to the 2nd leg loss to Southampton, Kim Hellberg’s side had put together a solid if not stubborn looking five-match unbeaten run in the second tier.
However, Boro have still only managed to capture just two wins from their last 12 matches overall in the Championship, a run that also includes six draws along with being dealt four defeats in the process.
The Betting Verdict
Hull City registered a 1-0 win away from home at the Riverside Stadium in their previous meeting against Middlesbrough.
The Pick :
Hull City 1-0 Middlesbrough
