Ronald Koeman has dismissed the theory that Saints are facing Chelsea at a good time.

Jose Mourinho’s side were dumped out of the Champions League after a midweek extra time defeat at home to Paris St Germain.

It was a frustrating and controversial evening at Stamford Bridge, and undoubtedly has taken a physical toll on the Blues squad.

However, Koeman doesn’t feel it will directly benefit his team when they travel to face the title favourites tomorrow.

“I don’t know when it’s a good time (to play Chelsea),” he said. “It’s always a difficult time.

“It’s a big team, a strong team with some great players.

“Of course they are very disappointed after Wednesday because if you play 60 minutes against ten players you don’t expect that final result.

“Maybe (they are) a little bit more under pressure.

“They need a win after a disappointing result but they will give a reaction you normally expect as a manager.”

Koeman has no fresh injury problems ahead of the match with only long-term absentee Jay Rodriguez still missing.

The other big clubs around Saints have started to pick up form of late, meaning they cannot afford to let their foot off the gas during the run-in.

“Of course it’s normal because the big ones are doing their job in the last few games and winning games, not always easy games, but it’s difficult to win every game,” said Koeman.

“We are still in a very good position to fight for a high position and that’s the most important thing.

“We are still going game by game and we need the confidence we maybe missed a bit against Crystal Palace in our way of playing.

“If we have that, we have good possibilities for a high position. We will see what happens.”

He added: “They (the big clubs) have the best players, they have the most money, they have all international players in the squad.

“In my opinion it’s normal they are one of the first five or six teams in the Premier League. It’s always a big challenge for the rest of the teams.

“Everton did it one time, Swansea were close, now we are close to that. But it’s not easy finally to reach that big position with the high teams.

“We try and we can’t do any more.”

Despite Chelsea’s hugely impressive home league record under Mourinho – only one loss in 92 games in the manager’s two spells – Koeman believes his team can get a result against his former Barcelona colleague.

He advised: “Confidence and not afraid.

“That’s the most important when you play against big teams in an away game that you be yourself and you focus on your own game, your own way of playing, your own organisation.

“We know one of the best 45 minutes (was when) we play at home against Chelsea.

“That gives the team and the players confidence that we can have a good result.”