Sami Hyypia expects "physical" cup tie against Kaiserslautern

Bayer Leverkusen manager Sami Hyypia has predicted that his side will face a strong physical challenge when they host Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Leverkusen go into the match as overwhelming favourites to progress into the semi-finals with more than an entire division separating them from the 2. Bundesliga high-flyers.

"A cup match is always something special, especially in front of their fans. FCK have a very robust team that is very strong physically. You always go right into the duels and have to have the players for it," Hyypia told the club's official website.

"If our quality comes through, we can win the game. It's the quarter-finals and we will only talk about the quarter-finals."

Leverkusen are currently second in the Bundesliga table while Kaiserslautern are vying for promotion to the top flight and sit third in the 2. Bundesliga.