This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant

The UP Yoddha and the Haryana Steelers will consider themselves unlucky this season. They have worked hard and played well in most of the games, yet success eludes them. The Haryana Steelers have missed the X factor this season which got them in precarious situations most of the time. The Steelers lost games as they ran out of steam on certain occasions while in some games they just could not dominate.

The UP Yoddha is going through a similar phase where their efforts are not bearing results.  They had an explosive match against the Bengal Warriors which they should have won. They were fortunate to escape with a TIE. Raider Pardeep Narwal is on top of his game but the team defense has not resonated.

Both teams find themselves in the uncharted territory of the points table. UP Yoddha is placed 10th while the Haryana Steelers are behind the Yoddha. With half the season gone, both teams are running out of time as well as ideas.

TEAMS PREVIEW

UP Yoddha Preview

UP Yoddha has been an underachiever this season. Even with a good team, they have not been able to leave their imprint. They find themselves in the lower half of the points table after playing 11 games. They have lost 5 games out of 11, some of which they should have won easily.

The main issue with the Yoddha is the lack of momentum. They have not been able to build the intensity over the last few weeks. Also, the Yoddha has been a bit unimaginative in some games. They should have been street-smart but unknowingly they let the game slip away.

They had a similar experience in the last match against the Bengal Warriors. The Yoddha dominated the game, leading by 10 points by the end of the first half. Then they went through an anti-climax as they conceded 2 all-outs and with 5 minutes to go, they were behind the Warriors courtesy of a Super raid by Maninder. But Pardeep Narwal bounced back with another Super raid. It was a brawl in the last few minutes of the match where the UP Yoddha settled for a TIE.

UP Yoddha needs to overcome these issues at the earliest. They still have a few games where they can bounce back and hope to qualify for the playoff. Dubki King Pardeep Narwal is in ominous touch as he has earned 101 raid points in 11 games. Raider Surender Gill has been in top form with 107 raid points in 10 games. He missed the last match against the Bengal Warriors.

The UP Yoddha has conducted 192 successful team raids out of their 453 team raids.

Unfortunately, they have a low success rate in team tackles as they have been able to execute just 98 successful team tackles in 11 games.

Another area of concern for the Yoddha is the number of all-outs conceded. Though they have inflicted 17 all-outs, they have conceded 16 which takes away all the advantage.

The Yoddha will take on familiar foes, the Haryana Steelers and this could be their last chance to revive themselves this season.

Haryana Steelers Preview

Haryana hasn’t done justice to themselves this season. They have an enthusiastic bunch of players but could not rise to the occasion as a team. They are placed 11th in the points table as they get ready to take on the UP Yoddha. The Steelers have won just 4 out of their 12 games and they have not been able to win any of their last 3 matches. 

They settled for a TIE against the UP Yoddha and then lost to Patna Pirates followed by the Bengaluru Bulls. Unfortunately, the Steelers could not deliver the knock-out punch in most of the games. Raiders Meetu Sharma and Manjeet Dahiya have earned raid points in all the games. Both have collectively looted 185 raid points in 12 games.

Unfortunately, the Steelers do not have a third raiding option who can earn a few more points. Against the Patna Pirates, Meetu Sharma was neutralized by the opposition. This put a cap on the earnings of the Steelers and they lost the game. In their next game against the Bulls, their defense was brittle and they lost the game by a margin of 3 points.

Raiding and tackle efficiency has been the biggest issue for the Haryana Steelers. 

The Steelers have executed 190 successful team raids out of their total 499 team raids.

They have conducted 106 successful team tackles in 12 games.

Haryana Steelers have also executed 9 Super tackles which have saved them from conceding all-outs. But at the same time, they conceded 18 all-outs which got them in dangerous situations, especially in the second half of the match. 

They will take on familiar foes, the UP Yoddha. The Steelers were in command of the match last time when they took on the Yoddha. As usual, the Steelers could not exploit the weak Yoddha defense and settled for a TIE. They will have to be more aggressive in this game.

Captain Nitin Rawal needs to change his outlook as it affects the team. He is a fantastic player but has been woefully out of form. Iranian defender Amirhossein Bastami struck gold in his first match but since then he hasn’t looked lethal. This will be the last chance for the Steelers to rise like a phoenix from the ashes.

UPY vs HS

Winning Prediction

Welcome to the encounter between arch-rivals. They shared the honors last time but now both teams are in desperate need of a win. The Haryana Steelers will expect Manjeet and Meetu to shine again and earn raid points. Defenders Jaideep Dahiya and Mohit Nandal will trouble Pardeep Narwal.

Captain Nitin Rawal may not hunt efficiently while Amirhossein Bastami will trap the other Yoddha raiders. It will be interesting to see if Haryana Steelers use the services of Rakesh Narwal as their third raider.

Dubki King Pardeep Narwal will exploit the Steeler’s defense. He will score a big Super 10. Raider Rohit Tomar was impressive in the last game and he will be useful in earning raid points. He had scored 16 points against the Bengal Warriors.

Left corner Sumit and right cover Ashu Singh will trouble the Haryana raiders. UP will also use the services of Kenyan James Kamweti as a variation. But the Yoddha looks in much better shape than the Steelers in this game.

UP Yoddha will win.