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Puel urges single-minded Saints

Claude Puel insists Southampton must focus on their own game when they face Chelsea at St Mary’s on Sunday.

The Blues have been in terrific recent form, winning their last three league games with nine goals scored and none conceded. Last weekend, they dished out a four-goal drubbing to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Saints have also been enjoying a good run of league form. Puel failed to earn a victory in his first four Premier League games, but his side are unbeaten in five now with three wins.

The most important thing is we play our game.

Claude Puel

Having claimed a credible draw away at Manchester City last weekend, Southampton are 11/5 to beat Chelsea and Puel insists they cannot allow themselves to think too much about the opposition.

“It is a fantastic match for my players on Sunday. The most important thing is we play our game,” he said.

“We know they’re a great team with the capacity to perhaps win the title. It will be tough.”

Chelsea have steadied the ship after back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal last month.

The Blues are 7/5 to continue their recent resurgence with victory against Saints.

Manager Antonio Conte is refusing to look too far ahead, in spite of the promising signs for his side.

The top five in the league entered the weekend separated by just a single point and the former Juventus coach feels any one of those sides could be potential champions.

“There are five teams who are very close but we shouldn’t look at the table, we must be focused on our work on the pitch,” said Conte.

“It’s too early to talk about the table or the title. We must improve game by game and trust in the work, that’s the most important thing.”

Chelsea are 11/1 to beat Southampton 2-0 at St Mary’s.