When Southampton’s Championship fixture list was finally announced, fans will have looked for a few games.

One priority would have been to schedule the inaugural South Coast Derby, which will take place on October 10th between Southampton and Portsmouth in the latest installment of the bitter rivalry.

On social media, Leo Scienza specifically mentioned this match against Pompey as the one he is most looking forward to.

This time last season, Southampton fans wouldn’t have been too concerned about facing Middlesbrough during the 46-game marathon, but with all the drama of Spygate still simmering, it would’ve been another fixture demanding the attention of the St. Mary’s multitudes on Thursday.

Saints fans will have to wait until November 28th to meet Kim Hellberg’s side, and the match will undoubtedly be heated, as Middlesbrough is still upset that Tonda Eckert and co. spied on them so openly during the playoffs last season.

Hellberg addressed the ongoing repercussions of the controversy during an appearance on Sky Sports News when the new season’s matches were revealed.

Hellberg’s Spygate statements before the new seaso

Now, speaking just after the new set of fixtures was released, he was less emotional and more melancholy about what happened in May.

When asked about his team’s playoff final loss and the tornado of emotions that Spygate brought up, Hellberg replied, “Of course it was.” It was a memorable last few weeks of the season, with ups and downs and everything.

“So it was vital for me to go on vacation and have some stuff while also spending time with my friends and family. Now I have the energy to keep going—and do it better. I believe everyone handles things differently. That is what you need to do about it.

“But you also need to utilise it as fuel and strength for this season. We know we were near. We are aware that we are close to being good enough. We’ll use it as motivation moving into the preseason to do better, attempt to achieve our goals, and work harder for them.”

“That’s all from me. It has been widely discussed. I’m simply looking forward to next season, wishing all of the teams and coaches the best, and we’ll see who has the best season when it’s over.”

It’s evident that the talented Swedish boss was hurt by what happened, making for a painful start to the English game.

But he doesn’t want to linger on it all, since he is definitely looking forward to the new season.

Regardless of his statements, the following season’s games between the two clubs will surely be tense and exciting.

The contests will remain closely contested.

Hellberg may appear peaceful right now, but the first meeting between the two teams since Spygate will most certainly be a heated event in November.

At that point in the season, a lot may depend on just single match.

The second match in March might be even more vital in either team’s promotion chase, with scraps aplenty going place at the Riverside.

Middlesbrough would fall short in the playoff final at Wembley Stadium against Hull City, having been given another opportunity at promotion after Southampton were eliminated from the elimination stage.

This near-miss will make the Teesside giants anxious to seek promotion back to the Premier League when the new season begins, with their Spygate opponents in Southampton a potential competitor near the top of the table.

Hellberg was outspoken about the Saints’ espionage methods last season, and the entire situation broke his heart.

Eckert may still be forced to leave the dugout due to an FA ban, which would take some of the zing out of the proceedings, but these games next season appear to be must-sees, as a new rivalry – in addition to Southampton’s loathing of Pompey – is entrenched.