Middlesbrough’s Southampton trip heating up as QPR boss makes Championship’s best claim

QPR manager Julien Stephan identified Middlesbrough and Southampton as the two best teams in the Championship following his team's 4-1 defeat at St Mary's on Saturday. His remarks have heightened anticipation for Middlesbrough's upcoming trip to face Southampton on November 27, marking their first encounter since last season's play-off clash and the Spygate controversy.

Kim Hellberg's Middlesbrough side currently sits top of the Championship table. Southampton ranks fifth, though they would sit second and just one point behind Middlesbrough were it not for a four-point deduction served as punishment for the Spygate incident. Both clubs will play four matches before their high-stakes league clash.