Kasper Hjulmand believes increased competition can only be a positive thing for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga run-in, though Jarell Quansah's return raises question marks over the role of Robert Andrich.

Andrich drilled home from distance as Leverkusen earned a big 1-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park last week, strengthening their top-four credentials.

Leverkusen are fifth in the table with just five games remaining, and they need to make up a four-point deficit to RB Leipzig, who occupy the final Champions League place.

Andrich started that game on the right side of Leverkusen's back three, and the natural midfielder has played a whopping 79% of his Bundesliga minutes this season in defence.

Quansah's recovery from a thigh issue has led to suggestions the Leverkusen captain could find himself on the bench at home to Augsburg on Saturday, but Hjulmand is giving nothing away.

"It's a good opportunity, in terms of competition," Hjulmand said. "Of course, I'm not saying how we'll solve things in defence. 

"But it's definitely not a bad thing to have a lot of good players at your disposal, especially in the final phase of the season. They will push each other."

Reflecting on the spirit in Leverkusen's camp, Hjulmand added: "We've had a very good week. The win in Dortmund gave us a great boost. We are now focused on the next game, it will be difficult again against Augsburg. 

"They are quick in transition and have good players. We lost 2-0 away, and we haven't forgotten that. 

"We're looking forward to this home game with our fans at our own ground. It's always essential to have the support of the fans.

"We'll have to be very focussed to get a result. That applies to all games up to the end of the season. We're chasing the top four."

Augsburg are safely ensconced in mid-table, sitting 10th. They are nine points off the top seven and eight clear of the relegation-promotion play-off place, occupied by St. Pauli.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bayer Leverkusen – Alejandro Grimaldo 

Leverkusen full-back Grimaldo and Augsburg forward Alexis Claude-Maurice have both scored three goals from outside the box this Bundesliga season, with only Bayern Munich's Harry Kane scoring more (four). 

Augsburg – Alexis Claude-Maurice

In addition, four of Claude-Maurice's five Bundesliga goals in 2026 have been the opener in a game – no other player has scored the opening goal as often since the turn of the year. 

However, he has scored all five of his Bundesliga goals this season at home. Away from home, he has gone goalless in 17 Bundesliga matches since a hat-trick in a 3-0 win at Monchengladbach in February 2025.

MATCH PREDICTION – BAYER LEVERKUSEN WIN

Augsburg won 2-0 against Leverkusen in the first half of the Bundesliga season, in their first match after Manuel Baum's return as head coach. 

However, FCA have only won one of their 14 Bundesliga away games in Leverkusen (D3 L10), registering a 2-1 victory in August 2022.

Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last seven Bundesliga matches (W3 D4) – their longest such run under Hjulmand. 

The Werkself have recorded back-to-back Bundesliga wins for the first time since the end of January 2026 – they have only managed three consecutive wins under Hjulmand once, in autumn 2025 (four from September to October).

In addition, Augsburg are currently winless in five Bundesliga matches for the first time this season under Baum, picking up just two points in this period (D2 L3).

Only Wolfsburg have a worse record. Augsburg have conceded a hefty 12 goals during this run – the joint-most in the league over the last five matchdays.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Bayer Leverkusen – 63.4%

Augsburg – 17%

Draw – 19.6%