Bayer Leverkusen, riding the momentum of consecutive away wins in the Champions League, are aiming to take another major step forward in the competition with a home victory over Newcastle United, coach Kasper Hjulmand said on Tuesday.

Leverkusen’s European campaign was revitalized last month with wins at Benfica and Manchester City, lifting them to eight points from five matches — just two points shy of the top eight teams that qualify directly for the round of 16.

“We had a big push in this tournament with two wins, and now we are looking to take a big, big step in the tournament with a win at home,” Hjulmand told reporters ahead of the clash with Newcastle.

Leverkusen face Olympiacos away and Villarreal at home in their final two Champions League group games next month.

“If we win this one, it’s a very good place to be considering the next two opponents. There will be more pressure for the last two games, of course, but it will give us appetite to go for it,” Hjulmand added.

The German side’s domestic form, however, tells a different story. Leverkusen have lost their last two Bundesliga matches, including a 2-0 defeat at struggling Augsburg over the weekend.

Newcastle, meanwhile, sit a point above Leverkusen in the Champions League table and arrive unbeaten in their last three games, scoring eight goals and conceding four.

“They’re a great team, with a lot of power, pressing forward, very physical, and strong on set-pieces. They’re a difficult opponent, but so are we when we play our best,” Hjulmand said of the Premier League side.