Southampton manager Tonda Eckert is preparing his team for Saturday’s Championship play-off clash with Middlesbrough.

The Saints will travel to Riverside Stadium for the opening leg of their play-off semi-final, while Boro will play at St Mary’s Stadium on Tuesday.

Eckert’s men finished fourth in the Championship after defeating Preston North End 3-1 on the final day of the regular season, while Kim Hellberg’s men ended fifth after drawing 2-2 with Wrexham on Saturday.

Southampton and Middlesbrough missed out on automatic promotion by four points each and are now desperate to secure a place in the Premier League next season via the play-offs.

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

Tonda Eckert discusses the rationale for Southampton’s unconventional play-off preparation

Middlesbrough trounced Southampton 4-0 in their most recent Championship game, with Morgan Whittaker scoring twice and Samuel Silvera and Alan Browne adding goals.

However, a lot has happened since then, and both teams understand that there is far more on the line in the play-offs than there was in a regular league match in January.

According to the Northern Echo, Saints manager Eckert explained why he granted his players two days off after their victory over Preston: “I think the boys will be happy not to see me for two days.”I will try not to talk too much on Tuesday. I need their entire attention on Wednesday, and then we’re ready to travel. The guys appear to be in peak form at this point in the season.The boys are as prepared as you can be. We now have two days off to recover physically and emotionally before going all out against Middlesbrough.”

Boro enter the home leg of their play-off showdown with Southampton on the back of a four-game unbeaten streak, while Eckert’s team has not lost in the Championship since a 2-1 loss to Hull on January 17.

Middlesbrough and Southampton have the elements for a championship play-off classic.

Some of the most exciting moments in EFL history have occurred during the Championship play-offs, and fans around the country continue to talk about them.

For example, few second-tier fans will forget Troy Deeney’s last-minute winner in Watford’s 3-2 aggregate win over Leicester City in 2013.

Middlesbrough and Southampton’s encounters may not generate a Deeney-style moment, but there is reason to believe that the two sides will provide drama that will be remembered for a long time.

Eckert’s side will be looking to avenge their aforementioned 4-0 humiliation to Boro, while the North East club will be buoyed by that victory.

Furthermore, the Saints have demonstrated an indomitable spirit in recent months, with a 20-game undefeated streak across all competitions prior to their FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City.

Southampton also gave a good account of themselves in a 2-1 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough appeared to be on track for automatic promotion to the Premier League alongside Championship winners Coventry City.

However, Boro’s poor form over much of March and April saw them fall out of the top two and into the play-offs, where they now face the Saints.

Boro have given a far better account of themselves in recent weeks, and will try to replicate the clinical performance that saw them thrash Watford 5-1 in their last home encounter.