UP Yoddha
Four wins in its last five matches have helped UP Yoddha equalize U Mumba in terms of points and another win will put it right in the qualification zone. This late season charge is something that UP Yoddha managed in the previous season as well and then rode that wave to make it all the way to the PKL final.
Shrikant Jadhav is the reason why this change is happening in the UP camp. His form on the raiding front has been spectacular and he is going to be the biggest threat to the Gujarat Fortunegiants as well.
The problem for UP Yoddha has been a lack of support for Jadhav as Monu Goyat is out injured and Rishank Devadiga has not been able to find the right kind of form just yet. Nitesh Kumar and Sumit will be leading the defense and be hoping to upstage the Gujarat Fortunegiants defense in terms of tackling skill.
Gujarat Fortunegiants
The Gujarat Fortunegiants are still in the hunt for a playoff spot thanks to the brilliant start it had to PKL 2019. Now, with two wins and a tie in its last four matches, some more momentum seems to have been built for the Gujarat team to try and make its way into the top-6.
Getting past UP Yoddha is not going to be easy. The Gujarat Fortunegiants have struggled to get enough raid points this season and that is a problem that is not going away any time soon.
Rohit Gulia has tried his best to be the raider that Gujarat Fortunegiants needs but we fear his skill set is limited, to begin with. Sachin Tanwar is back in the starting seven but his form has eluded him so far. There is nothing to suggest he is going to roar back into form suddenly.
This brings us to the defense. Parvesh Bhainswal and Sunil Kumar are brilliant defenders that have been the heart of the Gujarat side for a long time now. Can they do enough to keep an in-form UP Yoddha side at bay? That is where the game will be decided.
The Gujarat Fortunegiants are undefeated against UP Yoddha and enjoys a 3-0 advantage in head too head matches. One additional match ended as a tie. The match between these two sides earlier this season was won by the Gujarat Fortunegiants convincingly.
We think UP Yoddha should be able to break its jinx and beat the Gujarat Fortunegiants for the first time in the history of the PKL. The form of Shrikant Jadhav, as well as the brilliance of its defense, should help it emerge victorious.
Bet on UP Yoddha to win.