The Bengaluru Bulls started the PKL like an unstoppable train but they are being reeled back into the fold with some crucial defeats. Their defeat in the last match against the Patna Pirates would have been tough because it came against their closest contender in Zone B. Only four points separate the Bengaluru Bulls from the Patna Pirates now.
With just two wins in their last five matches, the Bengaluru Bulls are under the most pressure they have been in the Pro Kabaddi League so far.
There are still a lot more positives for the side than negatives. The form of Pawan Kumar Sehrawat, Rohit Kumar, and Kashiling Adake continues to be excellent. Even in the last defeat against the Patna Pirates, Rohit Kumar played one of his best games this season and almost helped his side make an incredible comeback.
Rohit Kumar was aggressive, looked for points, and very good at eliciting mistakes from the defenders. He is not a raider that plays too deep and relies on movement to bring the defenders close to him instead.
Rohit will also have very good memories of his 14 point outing against U.P. Yoddha earlier in the season.
The biggest improvement that the Bengaluru Bulls will have to make is in the defense. It was ripped apart by an unstoppable Pardeep Narwal and made some regrettable errors under pressure. U.P Yoddha has a strong offense too and the home side cannot take it easy.
U.P. Yoddha has three wins from 15 matches and is quickly losing any chance of making it to the Super Playoffs. The side has to hope for a remarkable and maybe miraculous turnaround to be able to rise up the standings.
For U.P. to do well, Nitish Kumar, their best defender has to have a memorable night. Currently second in the race for the best defender, Nitesh Kumar has 54 tackle points to his name already. He will have the tough task of trying to contain the strongest offense in the PKL this season.
Providing him support will be Sachin Kumar from the left corner. He has also had a very good PKL this season including eight tackle points against the Bengaluru Bulls in the previous two outings.
The Bengaluru Bulls hold a 4-1 advantage over U.P Yoddha in their historical head to head against each other. The fact that this match is being played in the middle of the Bulls home leg could actually be an advantage for U.P Yoddha.
The Bengaluru Bulls has two losses in their last three matches but they are not really in poor form. The Bulls have been tested defensively and need to make some adjustments. The core of the side remains very good and has the best offense in the Pro Kabaddi League.
U.P. Yoddha has struggled to put up a fight this entire season and even though a few sporadic performances have been good, the overall condition of the side is quite poor. They have also lost twice to the Bulls this season already.
Back the Bengaluru Bulls to win.