![\"Finn](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_Southampton-v-Ipswich-Town-Sky-Bet-Championship.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIpswich Town could only draw at Southampton to set up a dramatic final day of the season for Middlesbrough<\/p>\n
21:43, 28 Apr 2026Updated 21:51, 28 Apr 2026<\/p>\n
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Finn Azaz of Southampton is fouled by Ivan Azon of Ipswich Town(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Middlesbrough\u2019s hopes of winning automatic promotion are still alive heading into the final day of the Championship season, after Ipswich Town could only draw at Southampton.<\/p>\n
After beating Watford 5-1 on Saturday, Boro<\/a> were awaiting the result on Tuesday evening to see if they\u2019d head to Wrexham this weekend with anything other than their final league position to play for.<\/p>\n An Ipswich win would have ended Boro\u2019s hopes of finishing in the top two. And things weren\u2019t looking great when Kieran McKenna\u2019s side took the lead at St Mary\u2019s through Wes Burns just after half-time.<\/p>\n But Southampton turned things around and led through goals from Ryan Manning and Cyle Larin. When Jack Clarke equalised for Ipswich, however, it set up a nervous final three minutes.<\/p>\n Clarke would hit the post too, in a moment that very nearly ended Boro\u2019s hopes of finishing in the top two. But Southampton held on to claim a draw that ironically keeps Boro\u2019s dreams alive, but ends their own.<\/p>\n The draw means Boro stay fourth, two points behind Ipswich, and one behind third-placed Millwall. Staying four points behind Ipswich, Southampton now head into their final game of the season away at Preston North End knowing they will be in the play-offs.<\/p>\n For Boro, they head to Wrexham knowing that, no matter what happens elsewhere, they simply have to win. They will then need Millwall to drop points against already-relegated Oxford, and hope Ipswich lose at home to QPR.<\/p>\n That\u2019s unless they somehow manage to go to Wrexham and overturn a five-goal swing advantage in Ipswich\u2019s favour as far as goal difference is concerned. With Ipswich having scored seven more goals than Boro, Kim Hellberg\u2019s side would require a six-goal win at Wrexham if Ipswich were to draw with QPR.<\/p>\n And with that in mind, Boro will be hoping that QPR can instead go to Portman Road and do them a favour by beating the Tractor Boys.<\/p>\n ———-<\/strong><\/p>\n Here at TeessideLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best <\/strong>Middlesbrough FC<\/a> <\/strong>coverage and analysis.<\/strong><\/p>\n Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest Boro news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking<\/strong> here<\/strong> <\/a>to subscribe.<\/strong><\/p>\n Your information will be hidden, you’ll only ever receive messages from the Teesside Live sports team, and you can leave any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’. If you\u2019re curious, you<\/strong> can read our Privacy Notice<\/strong> <\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n