The undefeated Bengal will fight against the stubborn UP in a Zone B contest in the initial match planned for this evening at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune. The Bengali team is unbeaten until this point and would effort to proceed with their victorious streak with a win in the evening’s match. They have been solid in both the matches, with a blend of good attacking and defending performances. And, it is the solid protective lineup of the Bengal that the striking trio of the UP must be careful of. Driven by their Captain, Surjeet Singh, the defense of the Bengal relies on the current form of Shrikant Tewthia and the much experienced Ran Singh. Ziaur Rahman has been a concern, however replacing him with Vijin Thangadurai could deal with the issues. The outcomes don’t appear to support UP at the League 2018 as they have submitted themselves to three back to back losses till now and would search for probable victory against the strong Bengal team.
The UP team is coming to this experience on the back of three sequential losses. Even though Bengal stays as imposing rivals, the UP side ought to go for a nothing-to-lose approach trying to swing the awful continuation of bad performances aside and move once again into form. UP’s defense has been a reason for worry with only 34 tackle points in 4 matches at a normal of 8.5 tackle points per game, which places them at a frustrating ninth position amongst the 12 sides in the game. The raiders, particularly their Captain, Rishank Devadiga and Shrikant Jadhav have shown some fantastic raiding abilities and have figured out how to keep the team away from any tentative losses. The 5 days rest would have given satisfactory time to the UP mentors and their management to make an arrangement to enhance their protective scores or reinforce their striking, at the cost of their defense, and imitate what Patna Pirates had done in the last season in their approach into turning victorious.
Maninder Singh, Prashant Kumar Rai, and Shrikant Jadhav
The UP pair of Jadhav and Rai has been good performers so far in this season. Jadhav has been a decisive raider for the team in consecutive matches and played a critical role in difficult situations. However, the star raider is Maninder of the Bengal team who has picked up his form from where he left in the last season. Prashant Kumar Rai has also done justice to his raiding performances for the UP team.
Defenders
Amit and Nitesh Kumar
Kumar has been a stable performer for the UP team from the defence at the right corner. He has been seen to put strong ankle holds and dashes wherever necessary for his team. Amit although has been quiet, but he is a significant defender in the UP team and provides strong support at the backend.
All Rounders
Shrikant Tewathia and Sagar Krishna
Krishna has so far been a strikingly promising defender at the left corner for the UP team. His alliance with Nitesh Kumar on the other end is utterly deadly. Tewathia from the Bengal brigade has looked promising after his excellent performances in the last two matches of this season.
Match Prediction – UP vs Bengal Bengal is more likely to get the victory medal in today’s evening match.
