Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has said that his side will have to be at their best to win against Chelsea on Saturday despite their indifferent start to the season.
The Blues have won just two of their seven games, having had defensive issues that has seen key figures in their title win last season, Branislav Ivanovic and club captain John Terry, scrutinised and dropped from the team respectively.
Koeman has warned that his Saints squad must not go into the game underestimating Chelsea, and must not be sloppy in possession.
The Saints boss said: "For sure we know it’s a difficult opponent.
“They will look to react after the loss against Porto in the Champions League. We have to be good and on a very high level to get a good result.”
Southampton can get a result at Chelsea
Following two draws against Chelsea last season, Koeman believes Southampton "can have a result if we play on our level."
Koeman said their form has surprised him, saying that ‘normally they fight for titles’, but their defensive record is in stark contrast to this time last year.
After conceding just 32 times on the way to the Premier League title last season, they’ve now let in the second-most goals this season with 14, conceding three goals against Everton and title rivals Manchester City and losing at home to Crystal Palace.
The Dutchman told reporters at the pre-match press conference that perhaps "defensively they lost a little bit," saying that the goals they have conceded this season is a "big difference to their triumphant campaign last time out."
Ryan Bertrand returns to Stamford Bridge
The game on Saturday should see the return to Stamford Bridge of Ryan Bertrand, who after playing in their triumphant Champions League win, left Chelsea to join Southampton and be guaranteed regular first team football.
Bertrand only returned back to the Saints line-up last weekend, playing the full 90 minutes in the 3-1 win against Swansea, after three months out following a knee operation, and has been recalled to the England set-up.
Koeman said he was ‘surprised’ by Bertrand’s inclusion in the senior squad after only making his return last week, but that he was also surprised at how well he had performed against Swansea.
The Saints manager said: "I am a little bit (surprised) because of course it's very fast after the first time playing 90 minutes, but I was also surprised about the level what Ryan already bring last week,"
"We know if Ryan is back and playing on his level then he's one of the national team and that's good because it's good for the player, the confidence of the player and it's good for Southampton."