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Antonio Conte expects Chelsea to “suffer” against Southampton on Saturday because of the manner of the Saints’ loss to Leicester in midweek.
Mauricio Pellegrino launched a scathing attack on his Southampton players in the aftermath of the club’s 4-1 loss to Leicester at St Mary’s in midweek, saying his team lacked the necessary concentration and commitment to avoid the heavy defeat.
The Saints did recently draw 1-1 against Arsenal and came to within seconds of securing a similar draw with leaders Manchester City, but saw a 96th-minute Raheem Sterling goal condemn them to a 2-1 loss at the Etihad Stadium.
Southampton, who currently sit just four points above the relegation zone in 11th place in the Premier League standings, will now take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
And Conte is wary of the threat Southampton will pose his side this weekend if the Saints show a reaction to their loss to Leicester.
Conte told reporters on Friday: "I can tell you that, for sure, tomorrow the game will be very difficult for us. Because, for me, Southampton are a really good team.
"They have a lot of good players, young players but good players with great futures. I would prefer that Southampton had won the game against Leicester instead of losing in this way, 4-1 at home.
"I heard the interview post-game from the coach, from Pellegrino, and we must pay great attention. This team are very strong. They’re a good team. The players are very fast. They can play very well on the counter-attack: Austin, Redmond… Tadic. They have a lot of good players. Long, Bouffal… We must pay great attention.
“Tomorrow, my expectation is to suffer. I have this sensation. We must pay great attention tomorrow.”
"If you pay attention, this season we dropped points against West Ham, and West Ham were at the bottom of the table when we played them. We dropped points against Crystal Palace and, if you remember, Crystal Palace were at the bottom of the table.
“We must pay great attention every game. Every game is very difficult. For sure, to find Southampton in this position, I’m a bit surprised.”
He added: "Tomorrow it won’t be easy to win the game, as Manchester City know very well. They played two games ago and found a solution only in the 96th minute.
“After the team has had a bad defeat at home, as they did against Leicester… there is great attention of your opponent, of the coach, of the club, because they don’t want to extend a bad run and they want to give a great answer against a team like Chelsea.”
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