Friday 18 November 2016 15:33, UK
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka thinks his side will be tackling the title favourites when they host Chelsea on Nissan Super Sunday.
But Karanka thinks his side can take heart from their encouraging displays before the international break, which saw them earn draws at Arsenal and Manchester City either side of a home win over Bournemouth.
Chelsea will arrive at the Riverside on the back of five consecutive wins in the league, a run which has lifted them to second in the table and seen them score 16 goals without conceding.
"It's another nice challenge for us," Karanka said on Friday. "To play against Chelsea in the way they are is tough.
"But we've worked hard to play these types of games, so it's another amazing one for us.
"Antonio [Conte] has done very well and is settling into the league very well. They are second within a couple of months and showing they are a really consistent team.
"I think they are really favourites to win the league, because they take advantage of not playing in the Champions League or Europa League.
"It was important to win against Bournemouth and our crowd deserved to go home happy. After that and the Arsenal and City games we are more confident, but we know it's going to be a really tough game.
"We have a few doubts in terms of fitness.
"The players who were away have returned, but they have had long journeys. We also have Dani Ayala out, and we have a doubt with George Friend. Friend had a knock on his knee yesterday, so we will need to check."
Karanka thinks the long-term outlook is bright for Middlesbrough in general but says that, even as he celebrates three years in charge, he has to focus on the present.
"When I came here the team was not in a good way and I felt I could do something nice," he said.
"The chairman and the club and the area deserved to be in the Premier League. Thanks to the chairman and my staff and the players, we are here.
"As a manager, you can't think long term. As a player you can dream about titles and trophies but, especially me, I cannot think about five or 10 or 15 years.
"My only concern is the Chelsea game and then the Leicester game, and then we will see how long I am here."
