In-form Bayer Leverkusen play host to struggling Werder Bremen in the DFB Pokal quarter-finals, where the hosts are odds-on favourites to go through.

Die Werkself have been in fine form this season, although they face a difficult battle to secure a top 4 finish and another Champions League qualification.

Bayer Leverkusen have just slipped to fifth in the league standings, but that is unlikely to prove a major issue considering they managed to hold mighty Bayern Munich to a goalless draw.

They are now unbeaten in five Bundesliga games (W3 D2) and head into the DFB Pokal clash against Werder Bremen high on confidence.

And having enjoyed a 3-0 triumph in Bremen earlier this season, it is hardly surprising die Werkself are 1.44 (4/9) to win the Tuesday’s encounter.

Coach Roger Schmidt has no fresh injury worries, but Robbie Kruse, Charles Aranguiz and Lars Bender are not yet ready to return.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Leno – Hilbert, Tah, Toprak, Wendell – Kramer, Kampl – Bellarabi, Calhanoglu, Mehmedi – Hernandez.

DFB Pokal quarter-final is probably the last thing on Werder Bremen’s mind after the team suffered yet another disappointing defeat that left them in the relegation play-off berth.

The only positive from this weekend is that bottom two sides Hannover and Hoffenheim lost as well, meaning the Weserstadion outfit remain five points clear of the relegation zone.

The good run at the start of the new year was short-lived as the surprise win over Schalke and 3-3 draw with Hertha were followed by the 5-1 hammering at the hands of Borussia M’gladbach.

That defeat must have served as another blow to the players’ confidence, so we don’t see how they are going to stop Bayer Leverkusen from winning this game.

The hosts will have full-back Santiago Garcia back from suspension, but the likes of Sambou Yatabare, Aron Johannsson, Philipp Bargfrede, Raphael Wolf and Janek Sternberg are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Wiedwald – Gebre Selassie, Vestergaard, Djilobodji, S. Garcia – Fritz, Junuzovic – Kleinheisler, Pizarro, Oztunali – Ujah.