Hull and Middlesbrough will vie for Premier League promotion in football’s most lucrative game as they contest in a one-of-a-kind Championship play-off final this afternoon.
The circumstances surrounding this finale have been truly unprecedented, with Southampton being expelled from the play-offs after they were caught spying on Middlesbrough ahead of their semi-final tie, which the Saints won 2-1 on aggregate.
This meant that despite defeat, Boro were reinstated into the play-offs and after Southampton’s last-minute appeal was rejected, Kim Hellberg’s side now have a chance to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
Hull, who were left to watch the Spygate scandal unfold with uncertainty of who they would face at Wembley, sealed their place in the final via more conventional methods, beating third-place finishers Millwall to leave them potentially just 90 minutes away from top-flight football.
Follow all the action from the Championship play-off final at Wembley in our live blog below:
Hull team news
Kyle Joseph will be absent for Hull City after undergoing surgery on the injury sustained against Millwall.
Mohamed Belloumi made an excellent impact after being introduced for his stricken teammate and is a likely starter at Wembley.
Is the Championship play-off final on TV?
Hull vs Middlesbrough is due to be held at Wembley on Saturday 23 May. Kick off has been set for 3.30pm BST, an hour earlier than had been originally scheduled before Southampton’s expulsion.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage from 2.30pm BST. A live stream will be available via Sky Go and NOW.
Hull vs Middlesbrough LIVE!
This meant that despite defeat, Boro were reinstated into the play-offs and after Southampton’s last-minute appeal was rejected, Kim Hellberg’s side now have a chance to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
Hull, who were left to watch the Spygate scandal unfold with uncertainty of who they would face at Wembley, sealed their place in the final via more conventional methods, beating third-place finishers Millwall to leave them potentially just 90 minutes away from top-flight football.
Good afternoon
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Championship play-off final between Hull City and Middlesbrough!
We’ll have all the build-up, team news and match action right here as one team looks to seal promotion to the Premier League.
