Borussia M'gladbach vs Leverkusen Preview
Bayer Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes hopes it will be third time lucky he leads his current club to his former club Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday.
Leverkusen were thrashed 6-3 at home by the Foals earlier in the season before being knocked out of the DFB-Pokal by them.
Tomorrow's third attempt at breaking down Michael Frontzeck's side should end in glory, though, according to Heynckes.
"Those games don't play any role anymore," he said. "After losing to Dortmund, we are now under pressure and we want to extend our excellent away record.
"In view of the league table, it would be desirable to win."
Michael Ballack is pushing for a return to the starting XI after coming through 90 minutes in a friendly match against Bochum during the week.
However, Heynckes would not be drawn on whether he would start his first Bundesliga match of 2011.
"It is important that he carries on in the form he is in and then he will become a gain for us," he said.
"It is a shame that a player of his quality has had two so serious injuries."
But since Tranquillo Barnetta and Manuel Friedrich are both ruled out, the chances of the Germany captain marching out at the Borussia Park stadium tomorrow are quite high.
Gladbach will have to be on fire like they were back in August if they are to chalk up only their fourth win of the season tomorrow, according to their coach Michael Frontzeck.
"Leverkusen lost only twice in the first half of the season and so we are going to have to have a good day like in our first meeting and do everything we can against this strong opponent if we are to have a chance of winning," he admitted.
He should name an unchanged side after seeing good progress made in the 1-0 win against Nurnberg last weekend.
"We had an excellent preparation, but it is a pity we got no points for our good performances there," he said.
"Fortunately, we showed this also against Nurnberg and this time we were rewarded with the points."