Bayer Leverkusen can go three points clear atop the Bundesliga on Sunday with a victory when they play host to second-from-bottom Stuttgart.
Leverkusen sit just behind Werder Bremen on goal difference at the Bundesliga summit, but can extend a lead if they can get their second league win in six games. Despite being unbeaten in their last five games, the club have just one win, but did hold Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw last weekend.
For Stuttgart, they have slipped into the relegation zone after Saturday's round of matches. They were 2-0 winners away to Rangers in the Champions League in the midweek, and they have recorded draws in their last three league games. They have not won since 26 September against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Leverkusen manager Jupp Heynckes has a relatively full squad at his disposal for Sunday, as the only injuries are long-term in Michal Kadlec, Pierre de Wit, Renato Augusto, Simon Rolfes and Patrick Helmes.
Stuttgart manager Markus Babbel is continuing to be under pressure for poor league peformance, and he will not have Zdravko Kuzmanovic after being sent off last weekend against Hertha Berlin. Martin Lanig, Ludovic Magnin and Sami Khedira continue to miss out due to injury.
It will be interesting to see if Stuttgart can bring Champions League momentum into league play, but they have yet to do so this season. Leverkusen, have lacked their usual cutting edge lately. Look for a close match that could be a draw or a narrow home win.
REVIEW: