Kasper Hjulmand believes Bayer Leverkusen’s upcoming Bundesliga clash with Stuttgart will be a “special game” due to the attacking nature of both sides.

Leverkusen are currently third in the German top-flight, three points and places ahead of their upcoming opponents.

They got themselves into a stronger position in the race for the Champions League places with back-to-back wins over FC Koln and RB Leipzig, respectively, before the winter break.

Leverkusen have collected 28 points in 13 Bundesliga matches (W9 D1 L3) since Hjulmand took charge, with only Bayern Munich (35) gaining more in the league during this period.

It is also the best start for a Leverkusen coach since Sami Hyypia in 2013 (31 points after 13 games).

“We've come back well from the break. I've felt a good energy in training this week,” said Hjulmand.

“The lads are feeling great and we're ready for the next phase and, of course, the game tomorrow. Taking three points on Saturday would be ideal.

“It will be a special game. Both teams play on the front foot with a lot of pressing and lots of ideas.

“Stuttgart are a great team with a great coach. We're really looking forward to it and I love these games against top teams.

“They offer the opportunity to gain some breathing space in the table if we win and, above all, they're an excellent opportunity to learn something. We can see where we are and where we need to improve.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bayer Leverkusen – Patrik Schick

Schick's recent goal against Leipzig was his 70th in the Bundesliga for Leverkusen, making him the club's all-time top foreign scorer in the competition, surpassing Dimitar Berbatov (69).

Only Ulf Kirsten (182), Stefan Kiessling (131), and Herbert Waas (72) have scored more Bundesliga goals for the club overall.

Stuttgart – Angelo Stiller

Stiller has played the second-most pre-assists (24) in the Bundesliga this season, and Leverkusen's Aleix Garcia the third-most (23); only Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise has more (30) across the league.

However, Garcia has played the most pre-assists for goals (five) in the league, while Stiller has the joint-second most (four).

MATCH PREDICTION: BAYER LEVERKUSEN WIN

Leverkusen have won their first Bundesliga match after the winter break in each of the last three seasons, a run matched only by Eintracht Frankfurt in the league.

Stuttgart have won just one of their last 29 matches in all competitions against Leverkusen (D9 L19), a 1-0 away victory in the Bundesliga in April 2018.

Since then, Stuttgart have gone 15 competitive matches without a win against Leverkusen – their longest current winless streak against any active Bundesliga club.

Leverkusen have the second-highest possession figure (60%) and complete the second-most passes per game (620) in the Bundesliga this season, while Stuttgart are third in both categories (58% possession, 522 passes per game).

Stuttgart are enjoying their second-best Bundesliga season since winning the title in 2007, having collected 26 points from their opening 15 games.

However, they have won just one of their last five Bundesliga matches (D2 L2) after recording six wins (L1) in the preceding seven league games.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Bayer Leverkusen – 47.8%

Draw – 23.5%

Stuttgart – 28.7%