Bayer Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia has said the hosts will make life hard for Manchester United in Wednesday's Champions League clash as they hunt for another Premier League scalp.

The Germans want to avenge September's 4-2 defeat at Old Trafford in the opening round and are looking to topple United, who are sixth in the Premier League after Sunday's draw at Cardiff City.

"We have always played well at home," said Leverkusen's coach, the ex-Liverpool and Finland defender.

"It won't be easy for Manchester United and, of course, we really want to win. It's not just an important game for us."

David Moyes's United top Group A with eight points, just one ahead of hosts Leverkusen, and both sides would guarantee their place in the knock-out stages with a win.

Should Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk lose at home to Real Sociedad in the section's other game, United and Leverkusen can both progress with a draw.

Having beaten Chelsea 2-1 at Leverkusen's BayArena with a 91st-minute header from ex-Germany defender Manuel Friedrich in 2011, Hyypia's side want to topple another Premier League giant.

Striker Stefan Kiessling has admitted Leverkusen, who are second only to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, showed United too much respect in their first encounter two months ago.

"That time, we had too much respect for them and had a bit of fear," said the 29-year-old.

"Since then we have put in several good performances. We're confident.

"We're a force at home, but we have to beat these big teams -- including Manchester United."

But Hyypia admits his side will have to produce a big performance to beat United, similar to their 4-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in October.

"We'll have to function well as a team, both offensively and defensively," said the 40-year-old.

Leverkusen will be without Germany winger Sidney Sam, who tore a thigh muscle after only four minutes of their 1-0 win at Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

Manchester United will be without defensive midfielder Michael Carrick, while Belgium's Marouane Fellaini is suspended after being sent off in the goalless draw with Real Sociedad at the start of November.

"Their team is strong enough to compensate for those losses," said Hyypia.