Mauricio Pochettino says he isn't friends with Manuel Pellegrini [GETTY]
The Saints have lost three games on the spin (Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa) which has seen them slip to eighth in the table.
Pochettino, who knows Pellegrini from his time well in La Liga managing Espanyol, insists they have a good working relationship but stopped short of saying they are friends.
"I have many memories from facing Pellegrini when he was in La Liga managing Villarreal, Malaga and Real Madrid," said Pochettino.
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"I have great respect for him. I wouldn't say we are friends but we have great working relationship.
"He is someone I admire and we have a good professional relationship. I have known him for 25 years."
On the injury front, Pochettino will be without Victor Wanyama and Nathaniel Clyne, while Artur Boruc is out with a broken hand.
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