The Championship play-off final will be contested between Hull and Middlesbrough after Southampton were kicked out, and Nottingham Forest will have a vested interest.
The Reds have secured another season of Premier League football, and whichever team wins on Saturday will play Forest during 2026/27.
Both teams will have to invest significantly if they’re to remain a Premier League club following promotion, with Forest, Bournemouth and Fulham the benchmark for promoted teams having been the last trio to all stay up following promotion.
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Forest won’t mind too much who wins the match on Saturday, with Evangelos Marinakis likely to be content that the team have fought off the threat of relegation this season.
Forest will, however, have a slight interest in the final and Hull winning would certainly be more ideal…
Forest eye Hayden Hackney transfer
Winning promotion for Middlesbrough will ensure that they likely keep Hayden Hackney for another season.
The talented EFL player is likely to be a star player in the future, and Forest had earmarked him as a potential midfield signing this summer.
With Elliot Anderson being courted by Manchester City, it feels like a new midfielder is a must, and Hackney would have been an easy signing in the summer had Boro stayed down.
Now, there is a real possibility that they will come up to the Premier League, and it’s almost certain he will remain at the Riverside Stadium if that is the case.
Will Evangelos Marinakis part with the money for Hayden Hackney?
Is he capable of replacing Elliot Anderson at the City Ground?
Hackney will probably cost less than £30 million in the way of a transfer fee, and although he might not immediately replace Anderson, he would be a solid investment for the future.
The midfielder is 23 and has scored six times and registered eight assists this season, with all eyes on him ahead of this weekend’s final.
Now, all hopes for Hackney’s potential suitors rest on Hull, and the Reds will be rooting for the Tigers to maul Boro and keep the Boro star as an ideal target for the summer.
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